Can pets get coronavirus? Cancel your cruise? The State answers more reader questions
South Carolinians had even more questions about COVID-19, the disease caused by a novel coronavirus, after it was announced the disease has reached South Carolina last week. Here are the answers.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The State will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/SCvirus and let us know what you need to know.
Where can I get tested?
People can get tested at doctors offices or — if the patient is having shortness of breath and increased heart rate — the emergency room.
If you aren’t sure you need to be tested, the Medical University of South Carolina and Prisma Health are offering free, online access to a medical expert for screening to help determine whether you should be tested for the virus.
The State put together a separate Q&A for coronavirus testing available here.
Is there an ongoing, updated site tracking the number of tests performed each day in S.C.?
Yes. An updated number of both negative and presumptive positive tests can be found on the website of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
A “presumptive positive” test means the patient tested positive for coronavirus, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to verify the results. The reason CDC needs to verify these results is because the coronavirus test is new and hasn’t been tested as much as tests for other diseases, said DHEC epidemiologist Linda Bell.
As of Tuesday, March 10, there were nine confirmed or presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in South Carolina, and officials were monitoring about a dozen others for possible exposure to the virus, DHEC said.
I’m going on a cruise next month. Is it safe?
The U.S. State Department is discouraging U.S. citizens from traveling on cruise ships due to increased risk of COVID-19 infection, especially for people with underlying health conditions.
The CDC has said those with underlying conditions should avoid any non-essential travel that might put them at risk of contracting the disease and discuss possible cruises with a doctor. The virus can be more dangerous for older people and those with preexisting heart or lung conditions, smokers and patients suffering from diabetes, said Michael Schmidt, a microbiologist at the Medical University of South Carolina.
What about international travel?
Travel notices have been issued by the CDC urging travelers to avoid four countries due to COVID-19 outbreaks; China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. The agency also recommends “enhanced precautions” when traveling to Japan.
You can find current travel advisories for different countries on the State Department website.
Again, the decision on whether to travel depends on the health of the person traveling and whether the destination has reported cases of coronavirus, said Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of South Carolina.
“Certainly if you’re elderly or compromised, you might want to reconsider,” Nolan said.
Schmidt advises all travelers to take the usual precautions against getting sick but to also plan to travel with additional medication or other necessities in case they end up in quarantine.
“Just plan to be gone two additional weeks,” he said.
Can the flu shot prevent coronavirus?
Probably not, since they’re two different conditions. But it’s unclear if you can get COVID-19 and the regular flu at the same time, so it’s a good idea to get a flu shot if you haven’t already. At least then doctors are less likely to mistake COVID-19 symptoms for the common flu.
Can my pets get/carry coronavirus?
Although researchers believe the disease initially jumped from animals to humans in China, transmission in the United States has only happened between people, and there’s no indication it’s crossed from humans to dogs and cats.
Some tests have identified coronavirus particles found in the nostrils of dogs, but Schmidt said it is unclear if those are evidence of infections in dogs. “It’s contacted on surfaces,” Schmidt said of the virus, “and dogs sniff and lick everything.”
Is there a protocol for nursing homes and other facilities?
Elderly people are some of the most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Many of the coronavirus deaths in Washington state are the result of an outbreak inside a long-term care facility there.
The CDC is telling nursing homes to limit exposure by asking visitors to stay away if they have a respiratory infection, allowing staff time off when they get sick and assessing residents with symptoms of respiratory problems. If residents do get sick, the CDC recommends asking them to stay in their rooms and, if they need to leave, to wear a face mask.
Residents should practice good hygiene and medical gear such as masks, hand wipes and gloves should be made available to residents and staff.
Why is diabetes considered a risky condition for people getting COVID-19?
It’s unclear why diabetes is correlated with poor outcomes of a coronavirus infection. But diabetes can compromise the immune system, which makes contracting COVID-19 more dangerous.
“If your diabetes is under control, you should be at the same level of risk as everyone else,” Schmidt said.
What supplies do I need in case I get sick?
While face masks have become a hot item since coronavirus cases reached the United States, doctors emphasize they won’t do any good for anyone who isn’t already sick and actively coughing, and buying masks makes it less likely medical personnel will be able to get them.
“The general public should not be going out and buying masks,” Nolan said.
In general, people don’t need any more than they would any other time they get sick, and anyone who does get sick simply needs to isolate themselves for a few days.
“Don’t run out to buy alcohol and hand gels,” Schmidt said. “If you’ve got soap and water at home, you’re fine.”
Should I reschedule an elective surgery to avoid coronavirus?
That’s a decision you should make after speaking to your doctor. But “if you do have a surgery scheduled, it’s for a medical reason,” Schmidt said.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 9:42 AM.
.jpg)