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The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Should we be wearing masks? Is it possible to catch the virus from a dog? What’s the purpose of a quarantine, since we can test for the virus? When will the epidemic end? The Polish Academy of Sciences has been inundated with questions about the pandemic, so we have collated some answers to the most commonly asked ones. We will update this page whenever new scientific information emerges.

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Novel coronavirus (yellow elements). Photo taken with an electron microscope. Credit: NIAID / CC BY 2.0

  • Published on 25 March 2020.
  • Dates of updates will be shown alongside new text added to each topic.

Answers prepared by:

  • Edyta Paradowska, PAS Institute of Medical Biology in Łódź
  • Egbert Piasecki, PAS Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy in Wrocław

Consultation:

  • Brygida Knysz, Faculty and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Liver Disorders and Acquired Immunodeficiencies at the Medical University in Wrocław.
  • We are grateful to the authors for their time and effort.

1. Is it true that the novel coronavirus was created in a laboratory?

Analysis of the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus confirms that the virus evolved naturally and is not the result of genetic manipulation. Every time a novel virus arises, there are rumors that it was created artificially. This has never found any confirmation, whereas research conducted over subsequent recent years has corroborated natural origins.

2. Do masks protect wearers and others against infection with the coronavirus?

When worn with goggles and full personal protective equipment, professional masks provide protection against infection. SARS-CoV-2 is spread via droplets, and wearing a mask only lowers the risk of infection. The World Health Organization recommends that masks should be worn by infected individuals to reduce their transmission of the virus. WHO also recommends that masks should be worn by people who are in close contact with COVID-19 patients. Due to the limited availability of masks, WHO recommends that they should be used prudently. The types of masks people typically wear do not guarantee protection against infection, and their effectiveness depends on the properties and fit of the mask and whether it is used correctly.

[Updated on April 14, 2020] According to WHO guidelines of 6 April 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) of April 8, 2020, medical and surgical masks should be prioritized for medical professionals and caregivers (people caring for those with COVID-19). Due to the increased number of infected people and often asymptomatic form of infection, according to CDC and ECDC, the use of nonmedical (cloth) masks should be considered, especially in places where it is difficult to keep a safe distance from other people, e.g. in grocery stores and public transport. WHO neither recommends nor warns against using this type of face mask. However, its experts point out that their effectiveness may depend on the number of layers of fabric, breathability of material, water repellence, shape and fit of mask. The use of a face mask may help prevent the transmission of saliva and respiratory secretions when coughing, sneezing and speaking.

Mask Management:

  • Before putting on a mask wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
  • Avoid touching the mask while using it.
  • When removing, do not touch the front of the mask, but untie it from behind.
  • After removal wash hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
  • Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it becomes damp.
  • Do not reuse single-use masks. Discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removal.
  • Nonmedical (cloth) masks should be washed and ironed after each use.

WHO emphasizes that wearing a mask does not provide complete protection against infection, so all other protective measures (such as hand hygiene and social distancing) and must be followed.

3. Why are masks not recommended for people outside the medical profession?

The National Sanitary Inspectorate does not recommend masks for daily use. People generally use very simple masks and they don’t tend to change them for long periods. Masks which are moist from the humidity from breathing can become reservoirs of microorganisms, both from the environment and the user’s mouth and nose. Masks and other types of facial protection can only limit the amount of biological material inhaled and exhaled by the user when they are used correctly.

4. Why are people with suspected coronavirus infection made to quarantine, since there is a test for the virus?

The aim of the quarantine is to segregate people who have been or are suspected of having been exposed to the virus but who show no symptoms. At early stages of the infection, the levels of the virus may be below the threshold of the test, making the infection impossible to detect. It is only possible to get an accurate positive result two or more days after infection; however, a negative result during that period does not mean the person is virus-free. Additionally, it is believed that it may take up to seven days after infection for the viral load to be sufficiently high to generate a positive result. The test also takes several hours to produce results. Quick tests are less accurate and reliable and can show false positive or negative results, in particular at the early stages.

5. Does taking hot baths or saunas protect against infection with the coronavirus?

No. Hot baths or saunas do not raise your body temperature sufficiently high to kill the virus. The only result is a general improvement in condition, which in turn could bolster immunity.

6. Do hand driers kill the coronavirus?

No. Driers operate at too low temperatures and for periods of time too short to kill viruses. In fact, using driers (in particular in public toilets) may distribute the virus and raise the risk of infecting other people.

7. Do UV lamps kill the coronavirus?

UV radiation does kill viruses. However, the radiation has to be of the correct wavelength and intensity and it must be applied for a certain duration. The UV parameters required to inactivate the virus are harmful to people and such irradiation must not be used to sterilize the hands under any circumstances.

8. Does drinking hot water flush the coronavirus from the body?

Absolutely not. Virus receptors are present throughout the body, including the mouth. The virus penetrates these cells leading to infection. Drinking and eating anything will not make the slightest bit of difference. Warm or hot drinks may simply soothe symptoms such as sore throat.

9. Does drinking alcohol protect against the coronavirus?

No, just as it doesn’t protect against the common cold, flu or conjunctivitis.

10. Can I disinfect hands my with vodka?

Vodka is a 40% solution of ethanol, which means it’s too weak to prevent infection. Surfaces can be disinfected with solutions containing 70% or more alcohol.

11. Can I pick up the coronavirus from pets?

Probably not. The novel coronavirus is a human virus. It is species-specific, which means cross-species infections usually don’t happen. It may be possible for the infection to naturally affect certain primates. However, typical pets such as cats, dogs, hamsters, birds etc. can at most be temporary passive carriers of the virus without passing it on.

[Updated on April 14, 2020] Testing of domestic and companion animals indicates that dogs, pigs and birds do not replicate the virus. They can become temporary passive carriers but they do not transmit the virus further. In contrast, studies on Felidae (domestic cats, tigers in a zoo) and ferrets have shown that they are susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the virus can spread between these animals, although they do not show significant symptoms. The possibility of transmitting the virus from cat to human has not yet been confirmed.

12. Do mosquitoes spread the coronavirus?

No. Viruses can only be carried by arthropods such as mosquitoes or ticks if the virus can survive in the animal and find its way into its mouthparts. Coronaviruses do not have these properties.

13. Will eating garlic, onions and honey protect me against the coronavirus?

No. However, since these foods have some antimicrobial properties and carry health benefits, improved fitness may lead to milder symptoms.

14. Does vitamin C prevent infection by the coronavirus or is an effective treatment?

Vitamin C does not prevent infection by the novel coronavirus. Taking vitamin C supplements is recommended for people who show a deficiency of the compound.

15. Do vaccines against other infectious diseases protect against the coronavirus?

No. Vaccines are only effective against those disease vectors which they are designed to target. However, it is true that all diseases are harmful. Infection with the flu virus may lead to complications and frequently causes a general weakening of the immune system, which makes the patient more susceptible to other infections. Additionally, the flu virus damages the epithelial cells of the respiratory system, making them an easy target for the coronavirus. All this means that the patient may experience more severe symptoms.

16. Should babies and children be vaccinated as usual during the pandemic?

Yes, following a consultation with the doctor and taking basic precautions. However, it may be worth considering a short delay. Children are as susceptible to the coronavirus infection as adults, but fortunately they generally experience milder or no symptoms. Vaccines are only given to healthy children who have not been in contact with coronavirus patients. It’s important to remember that the diseases children are vaccinated against are just as dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic.

17. Do antiviral drugs protect against infection with the coronavirus or can they be used as treatment?

There are currently no drugs available which have a direct effect on the novel coronavirus. Doctors are trying a range of available treatments including those targeting other viruses. In certain cases they have achieved results which may be regarded as supporting recovery. However, this does not apply to all patients. Some patients have also been given an experimental treatment with anti-inflammatories usually used to treat different diseases or disorders, and substances which are still under development and cannot be used under normal circumstances. Time will tell whether these trials prove successful.

18. Do remedies advertised as “immunity boosters” protect against infection with the coronavirus?

Such remedies do not prevent infection.

19. Is ibuprofen dangerous for patients infected with the coronavirus?

Although this has been reported, it is not supported by data currently available. The WHO has issued conflicting announcements; its current position is not against patients infected with the coronavirus taking ibuprofen.

20. Is the novel coronavirus more dangerous than the flu?

It is certainly more dangerous than seasonal flu and the swine flu pandemic of 2009. It is too early for meaningful comparison with the Hong Kong flu (1968), the Asian flu (1957) or the Spanish flu (1918-1919). Seasonal flu affects hundreds of millions of people every year, with a few million patients experiencing complications and a few hundred thousand deaths resulting worldwide. The scale of the coronavirus pandemic is currently significantly lower, and, crucially, we do not know the number of asymptomatic patients. In a few months we should have data allowing us to determine which previous pandemic is most directly comparable with the novel coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 is more infectious than the flu virus, even the strain responsible for the pandemic of 2009-2010.

21. When will the epidemic end?

No one knows, but we should be thinking in terms of months rather than weeks.

22. Will the spread of the pandemic slow down when temperatures rise?

Changing air temperatures and humidity may have an effect on the viability and spread of the virus. The coronavirus is more viable under low humidity and at lower temperatures. We currently do not know whether the coronavirus infections will be affected by the seasons. However, it is worth remembering that subtropical and tropical regions are also experiencing the pandemic.

23. Is it safe to go for a walk during the pandemic?

We are advised to keep contact with people from outside our own household to minimum. If you can walk somewhere you are unlikely to meet other people (for example in your garden or in a nearby forest), there is no danger of transmitting or picking up an infection. However, if you live in a town or city, this may not be an option.

24. Are there special recommendations for pregnant women?

There is no indication that pregnant women are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. However, they are at an increased risk when it comes to other viral infections which may cause respiratory failure. There have been no confirmed cases of mothers transmitting the virus to their unborn babies. Due to the complexity of the issue, pregnant women are advised to talk to their doctor.

25. Does mail from China (or other countries or parts of Poland) carry a risk of transmitting the coronavirus?

Mail from China constitutes no epidemiological risk due to the long transit period. Coronaviruses perish relatively quickly outside the human body. Depending on the conditions (such as temperature and humidity) and type of surface, they retain their infectious properties from between a few hours up to a few days. Analyses of chains of infection indicate that the virus is transmitted from person to person over fairly short distances (usually up to one meter).

26. Are imported fruit, vegetables and other food, especially those from southern Europe, safe to eat?

The properties of the virus and epidemiological analysis of the course of the current pandemic indicate that the virus is not transmitted through the food system. According to the latest data, there is no evidence that food can be a direct or indirect source of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (European Food Standards Agency). This means we should assume that all produce imported from southern Europe is safe.

27. Does taking medication for high blood pressure and diabetes increase the risk of infection with the coronavirus?

There are reports that certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) and diabetes (pioglitazone) may exacerbate symptoms of infection with the coronavirus. However, confirming this would require further in-depth analysis to establish whether the observed effects are the result of using those medications or the condition of the patient which requires them to take them. People taking these drugs are currently advised to continue with their treatment as normal.

28. Is it possible to determine whether someone has been infected with the coronavirus?

Existing tests detect genetic material of the virus, which means they confirm an ongoing infection. Other tests detect specific antibodies produced by the body in response to infection with the pathogen. People who have been infected are seropositive (they have antibodies against the coronavirus). This is especially significant in case of asymptomatic infections, and in the future it will enable scientists to determine the percentage of the population who had been infected without realizing it.

29. Are people who have recovered from an infection with the coronavirus at risk of being infected again?

We do not yet know. It is likely that the situation will be similar to other human coronaviruses – well-known pathogens causing mild symptoms generally known as viral colds. In their cases, it is possible for an individual to be reinfected, but the second bout is usually mild.

30. Does having a particular blood group affect a person’s symptoms?

So far there has been just a single report suggesting this, which is not enough to draw any conclusions.

31. Which bodily fluids are infectious?

So far, the coronavirus has been detected in saliva, nasal secretions, nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, tears, blood, urine and feces of infected individuals.

32. How long does the virus persist in the body?

Current research shows that the viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs and sputum peaks about five to six days after the onset of symptoms. The viral load is higher in individual with more severe symptoms. The virus is also present in bodily fluids of individuals who exhibit no symptoms despite being carriers. Current research shows that the coronavirus can be detected in nasopharyngeal swabs as late as 20 days after the initial diagnosis (in certain cases even a month later). The incubation period is usually between three and five days, and full recovery can take as long as six weeks.

33. Could the novel coronavirus mutate into an even more virulent variant?

It is natural for viruses to mutate, and of course we cannot eliminate the possibility that an even more virulent strain will emerge. However, we are more likely to see the opposite. With time, it is likely that strains causing mild to moderate symptoms will dominate. Viruses which kill their hosts or cause very severe symptoms are less likely to spread. It is likely that many of the viruses which currently cause mild symptoms used to cause more serious illnesses in the past.

34. Could tuberculosis vaccine protect against the new coronavirus?

[Question and answer added on April 14, 2020] No, it couldn’t. It has been observed that countries that require vaccine against tuberculosis, called Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) seemed to have been hit less severely, the number of COVID-19 severe cases and deaths is smaller, and the increase in infected population is slower. The BCG vaccination has never been common in the following five countries (USA, Canada, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands). In addition, this vaccine has been discontinued in most Western European countries as well as Israel, Australia, New Zealand and Ecuador. In Poland, vaccination against tuberculosis has been compulsory since 1955. We are not sure whether the observation is interpreted correctly. Some other factor might as well correlate with BCG vaccination. Another question concerns the mechanism of the protective effect of vaccines given during childhood on the current course of coronavirus infection, especially in elderly persons who were born before BCG vaccination was introduced. We can, however, deal with the effect of non-specific immunity in young people, contributing to lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in these people. Determining the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among the population will show whether vaccination also affects the lower dynamics of virus spread in this group of people.