Frequently asked questions about coronavirus

What is the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

The new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus identified on January 13, 2020, as a result of research in a group of patients who first developed symptoms in the respiratory tract (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in Wuhan Province in late December. The outbreak was initially detected in those in the seafood and animal market in this region. Then it spread from person to person and spread to other cities in the province of Hubei, mainly Wuhan, and other provinces of the People's Republic of China.

How is your new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) transmitted?

It is transmitted by inhaling droplets that are scattered by sick coughing and sneezing. After touching the surfaces contaminated with the respiratory particles of the patients, the virus can be removed by taking the hands to the face, eyes, nose or mouth without washing. It is risky to touch the eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands.

How is the diagnosis of New Coronavirus Infection made?

Molecular tests required for the 2019 new coronavirus diagnosis are available in our country. The diagnostic test is performed only in the National Virology Reference Laboratory of the General Directorate of Public Health.

Is there an antiviral drug that can be used to prevent or treat the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection?

There is no effective treatment for the disease. Depending on the general condition of the patient, the necessary supportive treatment is applied. The effectiveness of some drugs on the virus is being investigated. However, there is currently no virus effective drug.

Can antibiotics prevent or treat new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection?

No, antibiotics do not affect viruses, they are effective only against bacteria. The new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and therefore antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat infection.

What is the incubation period of the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

The incubation period of the virus is between 2 days and 14 days.

What are the symptoms and diseases caused by the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

Although it has been reported that there may be cases without symptoms, their rate is unknown. The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. In severe cases, pneumonia, severe respiratory failure, kidney failure and death may develop.

Who does the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) affect more?

According to the data obtained, those who have advanced age and concomitant disease (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) are at higher risk of developing the virus. With current data, it is known that the disease progresses seriously in 10-15% of cases, and death in approximately 2% of cases.

Does the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease cause sudden death?

The disease shows a relatively slow course, according to published data on sick people. For the first few days, milder complaints (such as fever, sore throat, weakness) are observed and then symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath are added. Patients are generally heavy enough to apply to the hospital after 7 days. Therefore, videos about patients who are on social media, suddenly fallen and fall ill or die, do not reflect the truth.

In the new coronavirus infection reported from Turkey (2019-NCover) Is there a case?

No, New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease has not been detected in our country yet (as of February 7, 2020).

Which countries are at risk for the disease outside the People's Republic of China (PRC)?

The disease is still mainly seen in the People's Republic of China. The phenomena seen in other countries of the world are those from the PRC to these countries. In some countries, very few of the citizens from the PRC have been infected with that country's citizens. Currently, there is no country other than the PRC where domestic cases are spreading rapidly. The Scientific Advisory Board of the Ministry of Health warns only for the PRC that “not to go unless it is necessary”. Travelers should follow the warnings of national and international authorities.

What are the activities of the Ministry of Health on this issue?

The developments in the world and the international spread of the disease are closely monitored by our Ministry. The New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Science Board has been created. Risk Assessment and Science Board meetings were held for the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease. all sides of the issue (Turkey Border and Coastal Directorate General of Health, Public Hospitals, General Directorate of Emergency Medical Services Directorate General for External Relations Directorate-General, as all stakeholders) by including events not followed and the meeting unless continues to be done on a regular basis.

Teams working on the basis of 7/24 basis have been established in the Public Health Emergency Operation Center within the General Directorate of Public Health. In our country, necessary measures have been taken in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. At the entrance points of our country, such as airports and sea entry points, measures have been taken to identify sick passengers who may come from risky areas, and the actions to be taken in case of suspicion of illness have been determined. Direct flights with the PRC were stopped until 1 March. The thermal camera scanning application, which was initially implemented for passengers from PRC, has been expanded to include other countries as of 05 February 2020.

A guideline on the diagnosis of the disease, the procedures to be applied in the possible case, prevention and control measures has been prepared. Management algorithms for identified cases have been created and the duties and responsibilities of the related parties have been defined. The guide also includes the things that people who will go to or come from countries with cases should do. This guide and presentations about the guide, answers to frequently asked questions, posters and brochures can be found on the official website of the General Directorate of Public Health. In addition, respiratory tract samples are taken from people who follow the definition of possible cases and are isolated in health facility conditions until the sample result is obtained.

Is scanning with a thermal camera an adequate measure?

Thermal cameras are used to detect people with fever and to conduct further examinations of whether they carry disease by separating them from other people. Of course, it is not possible to detect patients without fever or those who are still in the incubation phase and who are not yet sick. However, since there is not yet another fast and more effective method that can be used for scanning purposes, all countries use thermal cameras. In addition to the thermal cameras, passengers from the risky area are informed in different languages on the aircraft, and information brochures prepared in foreign languages are distributed at the passport points.

Is there a new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) vaccine?

No, there is no vaccine developed yet. It is reported that a vaccine that can be used safely on humans despite the advances in technology can be produced at the earliest year.

What are the suggestions for not catching the disease?

The basic principles proposed to reduce the overall risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections also apply to the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). These;

Hand hygiene should be observed. Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be used when soap and water are not available. There is no need to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap, normal soap is sufficient.
Mouth, nose and eyes should not be touched without washing hands.
Avoid contact with sick people (at least 1 m away if possible).
Hands should be washed frequently, especially after direct contact with sick people or their environment.
Today, healthy people in our country do not need to use masks. Covering the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, using the inside of the elbow when there is no tissue paper, avoiding crowded places if possible, covering the mouth and nose if necessary, using a medical mask if possible. recommended.

What should people who have to travel to countries with high patient density, such as the People's Republic of China, do to prevent the disease?

The basic principles proposed to reduce the overall risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections also apply to the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). These;

Hand hygiene should be observed. Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be used when soap and water are not available. There is no need to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap, normal soap is sufficient.
Mouth, nose and eyes should not be touched without washing hands.
Avoid contact with sick people (at least 1 m away if possible).
Hands should be cleaned frequently, especially after direct contact with sick people or their environment.
Due to the high presence of patients, health centers should not be visited if possible, and contact with other patients should be minimized when it is necessary to go to a health institution.
When coughing or sneezing, the nose and mouth should be covered with disposable tissue paper, in the absence of tissue paper, the inside of the elbow should be used, if possible, crowded places should not be entered, if it is necessary to enter, the mouth and nose should be covered, and a medical mask should be used.
Eating raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Well-cooked foods should be preferred.
Areas of high risk for general infections, such as farms, livestock markets and areas where animals may be slaughtered, should be avoided.
If any respiratory symptoms occur within 14 days after the trip, the nearest health institution should be applied by wearing a mask, and the doctor should be informed about the travel history.

What should people traveling to other countries do to prevent the disease?

The basic principles proposed to reduce the overall risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections also apply to the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). These;
- Hand cleaning should be considered. Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and alcohol-based hand antiseptics should be used in the absence of soap and water. There is no need to use soap with antiseptic or antibacterial, normal soap is enough.
- The mouth, nose and eyes should not be touched without washing hands.
- Sick people should avoid contact (if possible, be at least 1 m away).
- Hands should be cleaned frequently, especially after direct contact with sick people or their environment.
- When coughing or sneezing, the nose and mouth should be covered with a disposable tissue paper, in cases where there is no tissue paper, the inside of the elbow should be used, if possible, it should not be entered in crowds and places.
- Cooked foods should be preferred over raw foods.
- High-risk areas for general infections, such as farms, livestock markets and areas where animals can be slaughtered, should be avoided.

Is there a risk of coronavirus transmission from packages or products from the People's Republic of China?

Generally, these viruses can remain alive for a short time, so no contamination is expected with a package or cargo.

Is there a risk of new coronavirus disease in our country?

There are still no cases in our country. Like many countries in the world, there is a possibility that cases occur in our country. The Health Organization has no restrictions on this issue.

Are there any travel restrictions to China?

All direct flights from China were stopped from 5 February 2020 until March 2020. The Scientific Advisory Board of the Ministry of Health warns only for the PRC that “not to go without compulsion”. Travelers should follow the warnings of national and international authorities.

How should tour vehicles be cleaned?

It is recommended that these vehicles be well ventilated and standard general cleaning is done with water and detergent. It is recommended that the vehicles should be cleaned after each use, if possible.

What are the precautions to be considered during the journey with tour vehicles?

It should be ensured that the vehicles are frequently ventilated with fresh air during use. In vehicle ventilation, it should be preferred to heat and cool the air with the air taken from outside. In-vehicle conversion of air should not be used.

Hotel, hostel, etc. of the guests coming in bulk. Is there a risk of illness for the staff in charge of the reception when they arrive at their accommodation?

Guests, who carry personal belongings, such as suitcases, are not expected to become infectious (pose a risk of disease spread) even if the virus cannot survive on inanimate surfaces for a long time. However, in general, after such procedures, hands should be washed immediately or hand-cleaned with an alcohol-based hand antiseptic.

In addition, if there are guests coming from the regions where the disease is intense, if there is a fever, sneezing, cough among the guests, it is preferable to wear a medical mask for this person and the driver to wear a medical mask for self-protection. It should be ensured that 112 is called and information is given or the health institution directed is informed beforehand.

What are the precautions to be taken in hotels?

Standard cleaning with water and detergent is sufficient in accommodation facilities. Particular attention should be paid to the surfaces that are frequently touched by hands, door handles, batteries, handrails, toilet and sink cleaning. There is no scientific evidence that the use of a number of products that are claimed to be specifically effective for this virus provide extra protection.

Attention should be paid to hand cleaning. Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and alcohol-based hand antiseptics should be used in the absence of soap and water. There is no need to use soap with antiseptic or antibacterial, normal soap is enough.

The person suffering from any viral respiratory infection should cover his nose and mouth with a disposable tissue paper during coughing or sneezing, if there is no paper tissue, use the elbow inside, if possible, not entering crowded places, if necessary, closing the mouth and nose, using a medical mask if possible. is recommended.

Since the virus cannot survive on inanimate surfaces for a long time, no contamination is expected for people carrying the patient's suitcases. It is appropriate to put alcohol hand antiseptics in accessible places.

What are the measures that airport workers should take?

General measures should be taken to prevent infection.

Since the virus cannot survive on inanimate surfaces for a long time, no transmission is expected to people carrying the patient's suitcases. It is appropriate to put alcohol hand antiseptic in accessible places.

What kind of precautions should the employees working in the restaurants and shops where the tourists come from?

General protection measures should be taken.

Standard cleaning with water and detergent is sufficient for surface cleaning. Particular attention should be paid to the cleaning of the door handles, faucets, handrails, toilet and sink surfaces with hands. There is no scientific evidence that the use of a number of products that are claimed to be specifically effective for this virus provides additional protection.

It is appropriate to put alcohol-based hand antiseptic in accessible places.

What are the general infection prevention measures?

During coughing or sneezing, it is recommended to cover the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue paper, if the tissue is not available, use the elbow inside, if possible not to enter crowded places.

I'm sending my child to school, can the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) be infected?

The new coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV) that started in China has not been detected in our country until today and necessary measures have been taken to prevent the entry of the disease into our country. Your child may encounter viruses that cause flu, colds, and colds at school, but is not expected to encounter it because the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is not in circulation. In this context, necessary information was provided to the schools by the Ministry of Health.

How should schools be cleaned?

Standard cleaning with water and detergent is sufficient for cleaning schools. Particular attention should be paid to the cleaning of the door handles, faucets, handrails, toilet and sink surfaces with hands. There is no scientific evidence that the use of a number of products that are claimed to be specifically effective for this virus provide extra protection.

Returning to the university on the return of the semester break, I stay in a student residence, can I get the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease?

The flu may encounter viruses that cause colds and colds, but it is not expected to encounter as the new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is not in circulation. In this context, necessary information about the disease was provided by the Higher Education Institution, the Credit Dormitories Institution and similar students to the dormitories.

Can domestic animals carry and transmit the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

Pets, such as domestic cats / dogs, are not expected to become infected with the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). However, hands should always be washed with soap and water after contact with pets. Thus, protection will be provided against other infections that can be transmitted from animals.

Can washing your nose with salt water prevent the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection?

No. Washing the nose regularly with salt water is of no use in protecting against New Coronary virus (2019-nCoV) infection.

Can vinegar use prevent a new Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection?

No. The use of vinegar is of no use in preventing infection from the New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus