President Joko Widodo asked Indonesians not to over-panic in responding to the Coronavirus outbreak or COVID-19. According to the Lung Specialist Member of the Lung Medical Staff Group (KSM) Dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta, Dr. dr. Reviono, Sp.P (K), conveyed that the symptoms of Coronavirus infection are indeed similar to the common cold. However, according to him, people can actually detect the difference.
"Symptoms of Coronavirus infection are indeed almost the same as the common cold," said Reviono, quoted from Kompas.com, Monday (2/3/2020). The flu caused by influenza virus has symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, sore throat, mild headache, to fever. These symptoms are usually only felt by someone 1-3 days after exposure to the virus.
While the flu due to Coronavirus infection, according to Reviono, has more specific symptoms. There are at least three main symptoms that appear in patients with COVID-19, including high fever more than 38 degrees celsius, coughing, and shortness of breath. However, according to him, the patient's contact history can be a key indicator to distinguish whether the patient is suffering from the common cold or due to COVID-19.
Reviono said, if someone has a history of traveling to a country or region infected with the Coronavirus about 14 days before the three main symptoms appear, then it deserves supervision.
Reported from kompas.com, Lung Specialist of Dr. Moewardi Surakarta Hospital, dr. Jatu Aphridasari, Sp.P (K), FISR, said that the Coronavirus can affect anyone, both children and the elderly. Therefore, people are advised to continue to be aware of symptoms that arise.
According to Dr. Jatu, COVID-19 can even attack people with good immune system. But indeed, the Coronavirus is more susceptible to infecting those who have low immunity. "This disease can develop stronger if there are other diseases, such as diabetes suffered by someone," he added.
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