Coronavirus: what is important to highlight

The coronavirus outbreak is the largest of its kind since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), identified in 2012. According to the Ministry of Health, the coronavirus is a major viral family, known since the mid-1960s, that causes respiratory infections in humans and animals.

Called by scientists at Covid 2019, the new virus, which attacks the respiratory system, had its starting point in the Wuhan region of China and was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an international emergency. It is still unclear to researchers how the current virus mutation occurred.

Prevention and the 1st confirmed case in Brazil

Brazil was already on epidemiological alert. Now, with the confirmation of the first case, the actions of epidemiological surveillance and preparations for the care of possible patients in the city of São Paulo will be expanded, as well as containment measures to prevent the virus from spreading in the national territory, according to with real-time information from the Ministry of Health and WHO.

The infectious disease physician at Hospital Israelista Albert Einstein, Helio Baicha, explains that the first case of coronavirus in Brazil is part of an epidemic that started in Italy, where there are already hundreds of cases and some deaths, and this brings a new stage in the virus, which is responsible for 30% of respiratory diseases in the world, which is the cause of the common cold. “We managed to delay the epidemic, but we were unable to stop the advance, since countries like Italy and Germany start to have an epidemic, there is no way to isolate it, this is inefficient. Brazil has the advantage of being in the summer when the transmission of respiratory disease is less than in the winter, but we have to prepare ourselves to treat possible serious cases ”.

Symptoms and virus transmission

According to information released by the SBI, in the report for health professionals and the general public, coronavirus symptoms can range from asymptomatic cases, cases of upper respiratory infections similar to the cold, to severe cases with pneumonia and insufficiency acute respiratory distress, with difficulty breathing.

Young children, the elderly and patients with low immunity may have more severe manifestations. In the case of Covid 2019, there is still no report of symptomatic infection in children or adolescents.

According to the agency, some coronaviruses are transmitted from person to person through the air (air secretions from the infected patient). In most cases, transmission is limited and occurs through close contact, that is, anyone who cared for the patient - such as health professionals or family members -, who have had physical contact and / or have remained in the same location as the patient sick.

In case of suspicion, the Dental Surgeon must refer the patient to medical care with the description of the symptoms observed by the professional, as laboratory tests performed by molecular biology identify the genetic material of the virus in respiratory secretions.

Preventive measures for dental surgeons

So, Dental Surgeon, it is important to prevent yourself! The Ministry of Health recommends health professionals to take standard precautions for contact and droplets (surgical masks, gloves, non-sterile aprons and goggles). To perform procedures that generate aerosolization of respiratory secretions such as intubation, airway aspiration or sputum induction, aerosol precautions should be used, with the use of an N95 mask.

It is also recommended to wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, avoid touching the mucous membranes of your eyes, not sharing personal items (cutlery, plates, glasses and / or bottles); maintain well-ventilated environments, and avoid close contact with people with acute respiratory infections.

Helio Baicha points out that dental professionals already work with Personal Protective Equipment, therefore, they already do the correct prevention to assist patients with respiratory problems. "It is important to handle the disposal correctly, but I believe that Dental Surgeons are more prepared than other health professionals".

Source: APCD – Associação Paulista de Cirurgiões Dentistas. Available at: http://www.apcd.org.br/index.php/noticias/1530/em-foco/27-02-2020/coronavirus-o-que-e-importante-destacar. Access on: 03/01/2020.
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