FAQs

Pandemic Viruses

What is a viral infection?

A viral infection is a set of symptoms caused by a virus, more severe than the common cold. Influenza and coronavirus are two virus types which commonly circulate in winter, leaving many people feeling under the weather. The common cold is normally accompanied by a chesty cough, while a flu cough comes from deeper in the lungs and can cause pneumonia.  


What is coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronavirus is a large family of viruses which can cause symptoms ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory conditions. COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new type of coronavirus which emerged in China in late 2019.

When we are exposed to a virus for the first time, our immune system starts working to fight and eventually remove the virus from the body. Our symptoms are signs of our immune defence in action. Once we have already encountered a virus, our immune system ‘remembers’ it so that the next time we’re exposed to it, the system is ready. We then get milder symptoms or none at all.

Most of us have met the more usual coronavirus: the one that causes the common cold. However, as the coronavirus which causes COVID-19 is new to everyone, our immune systems don’t recognise it, so the symptoms can be severe.


What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is the rapid spread of an infectious disease around the world. The current outbreak of coronavirus is now officially classed as a pandemic. Other pandemic examples are HIV and swine flu. 

An epidemic is the spread of an infectious disease within certain areas, but not globally. As the Ebola virus was largely confined to western Africa, with only a handful of cases spreading worldwide, it was classed as an epidemic.  


Which countries have the highest risk of coronavirus?

Most countries are now dealing with coronavirus outbreaks. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advises British citizens to avoid all but essential travel abroad, while many countries have put tight travel restrictions and quarantine measures in place. The best thing we can do now to reduce the risk to ourselves and others is to follow government guidelines on self-isolation and social distancing. Advice can change daily, so keep checking https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

How does coronavirus spread and how can I help prevent this?

The coronavirus which causes COVID-19 is spread via tiny virus-filled droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, up to half a million virus particles can spread to the people nearby: droplets can travel up to 2 metres (cough) or 8 metres (sneeze). The virus can also be spread by touching our faces after contact with infected surfaces.

The best way to prevent droplet spread is to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, avoid touching your face, and maintain social distancing. Cough into your elbow and sneeze into a tissue, then immediately throw it away. It is important to self-isolate if you show symptoms or if you live with someone who has symptoms. Check https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/ for up-to-date guidelines.  

Wearing a COVAFLU™ High Filter Disposable Face Mask can help prevent you from spreading the virus to others and reduce your chances of catching it.


What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 causes coughing, fever, breathing difficulties and in some cases, pneumonia. In a minority of cases, this can progress to the serious lung condition Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ADRS).

A report published in The Lancet in January 2020 looked at 99 patients with coronavirus and identified the following symptoms:

Most patients (83%) had:

  • fever

  • cough

A third of patients had:

  • shortness of breath

A few (1 in 10) had:

  • muscle ache

  • confusion

  • headache

Other less common symptoms included:

  • sore throat

  • runny nose

  • chest pain

  • diarrhoea

  • nausea and vomiting

In patients who were admitted to hospital, doctors noted that in the vast majority of cases (75%), the virus had infected both lungs, causing bilateral (double) pneumonia. ARDS affected 17% of these patients. Just over 1 in 10 of these patients died from complications caused by coronavirus.

 
How will my symptoms be treated? 

If you have severe breathing difficulties, are dehydrated and unable to keep down fluids, or have a long-term medical condition, you may be admitted to hospital where you will be kept in isolation. General observations (temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels) will be taken and you may have blood tests, a chest x-ray, and/or a throat swab to test for coronavirus.

The virus affects the lungs, but it can cause damage to other vital organs such as the kidneys. In hospital, you would be supported with oxygen or fluids as needed.  

It’s important that symptoms of COVID-19 are identified early so that patients with milder symptoms can isolate to prevent spread of the virus, and those with more severe symptoms can get access to the treatment they need to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.

 
How do doctors test for coronavirus?

If you have severe symptoms, you may be tested after alerting 111 by phone.

The coronavirus test is done by a throat swab. If the test is positive, this counts as a confirmed case of coronavirus.


Why do some people get ill and others don’t?

A healthy person with a strong immune system can usually though not always fight off this new coronavirus. However, if someone’s immune system is weakened from particular medicines or certain conditions, or if a person is elderly or has other medical conditions affecting the lungs, the illness can become very severe. Some people only develop very mild symptoms or none at all.  


Can coronavirus be fatal?

Sadly, viral infections can kill in some cases, either through lung failure from pneumonia, or other organs such as the kidneys being caused to shut down. The people most vulnerable to this new coronavirus are the elderly and those with existing respiratory or immune conditions.  


Can symptoms be treated at home?

The majority of people with COVID-19 will have mild flu-like symptoms. As with any flu or cold, mild symptoms are best treated with simple remedies at home. 


Is there a cure for coronavirus?

In the UK there are currently 3 vaccines which have been approved. The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.
In England, the vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and pharmacies, at hundreds of local vaccination centres run by GPs and at larger vaccination centres.

It's being given to:

  • people aged 80 and over

  • some people aged 70 and over

  • some people who are clinically extremely vulnerable

  • people who live or work in care homes

  • health and social care workers

To find out more about the vaccines approved in the UK, see:

The majority of people with COVID-19 will have mild flu-like symptoms, and their immune systems will do their job. People with symptoms, who are not eligible for the vaccine yet, should keep hydrated, try O.R.S. Hydration Tablets, take paracetamol to keep fever at bay, and rest for one to two weeks to allow the body to recover. A cough can persist for up to three weeks.

Always check with your pharmacist before using any medication. If your symptoms are getting worse, call 111.  


How much protection does a mask offer?

The World Health Organization’s guidelines on mask use:

  • In areas with widespread virus transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that medical masks should be worn by all people working in clinical areas of health facilities, and not only by workers who come into contact with Covid-19 patients.

  • In areas with community transmission, WHO advises that people aged 60 years or over and people with underlying medical/health conditions should wear medical masks where physical distancing is not possible.

  • WHO advises members of the general public to wear masks in areas of widespread transmission and where physical distancing is not possible, such as on public transport, in shops and in other confined or crowded environments.

  • Wearing masks is not a replacement for physical distancing, hand hygiene and other public health measures.

Guidance is continually changing: In many European countries face masks are now a requirement for entering shops and other public areas.

There is evidence that masks with a fine particle filter offer protection. A study of 290 people showed that participants who wore a face mask around people infected with various types of respiratory viruses reduced their risk of catching an infection by 60 to 80%. This study analysed the spread when one family member most often a child had contracted a virus causing cold or flu symptoms, and other family members wore a mask around them.

We recommend the COVAFLU™ High Filter Disposable Face Mask, which is designed to filter out respiratory infections and prevent spreading them to others.


How does the Covaflu Face Mask work?

This unique face mask has been specifically designed for the public to use in a flu outbreak. Developed according to World Health Organization and Health Protection Authority standards, it works by filtering out particles, including liquids, meaning it can offer protection against droplet spray from coughs or sneezes.

The mask is adjustable, so it can be customised to closely fit your face for maximum protection. As opposed to simple face masks, added comfort is built into a respiratory masks such as the COVAFLU™ High Filter Disposable Face Mask: electrostatic technology allows air to flow in and out, while safely filtering out particles. These masks are designed to be disposable, so you can use it when at risk, for a maximum of 8 hours, then bin it.

For more information, see https://www.covaflu.com/

 
Will it help to get the flu vaccine?

The yearly flu vaccine offers protection against many flu viruses, but not the new coronavirus.

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, you should be invited by your doctor’s surgery as flu season approaches.

Otherwise, you can purchase the vaccine from your local pharmacy or supermarket during flu season.