Costa Blanca News

Staying safe

How to stay safe – especially if your immune system is compromise­d

- By Samantha Kett

MINISTRY of health recommenda­tions on coping with the Covid-19 outbreak apply to us all, but especially those with a reduced immune response.

Broadly, they cover what should be obvious: Washing your hands for at least 20-30 seconds with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, going to the toilet, before eating, before and after being around anyone who is ill with coronaviru­s or any other condition, and after touching any surfaces outside the house; constant washing can dry the skin out, making it even more vulnerable to infections, so a hand-sanitiser of at least 60% alcohol is better.

Cleaning all surfaces at home, or at work if you're still there; sneezing into your arm rather than your hand or a tissue; using tissues rather than handkerchi­efs and disposing of them immediatel­y afterwards; and not sharing any personal belongings (not even your phone) with anyone who shows symptoms of the virus are also common sense, as is keeping at least two metres away from anyone outside the house and from anyone you live with who displays signs.

Working from home is strongly recommende­d, and if you start to display any signs of infection – even non-coronaviru­s-type signs – go straight home and don't go back until you're better. You won't be very productive if you're not 100% well, your colleagues don't want to come down with it, and your customers certainly don't want you coughing and sneezing all over them.

Those whose immune system may not be as strong as it ought, even if it is not severely compromise­d such as in anyone with bone-marrow deficiency, in chemothera­py, on transplant medication or with HIV, should eat as healthily as they can to boost their immunity, and cut down as much as they can bear it on cigarettes and alcohol, since these weaken the body's response to infection.

All cutlery, crockery and other household items that might be used by more than one person should be disinfecte­d, and anyone with symptoms of a respirator­y condition (even the common cold) should have their own set. If possible, if someone in your house is infected, they should use a separate bathroom.

Call your doctor, your specialist if you are under one, or the 900 300 555 freephone line if you develop symptoms; don't go to A&E, book a GP appointmen­t or attend a walk-in clinic.

As for masks: These are almost impossible to acquire right now, although if you are high-risk, your health centre may supply you with some. These are generally single-use only, and those at risk or already infected should dispose of them as soon as they take them off (by removing them from the back, via the straps, not touching the front.

The World Health Organisati­on and Spain's health ministry says there is no real need for anyone who is not infected or in a high-risk bracket to wear them – better to leave the few available for those who definitely do need them – although they do help increase protection five-fold. Many noninfecte­d members of the public have been improvisin­g where they can, with DIY masks, or simply covering their faces with a scarf (wash it immediatel­y afterwards – laundry detergent kills off the virus) which is a sensible precaution if you need to be around people, such as in the supermarke­t. Generally, walking in an empty street to put the rubbish out can be done without a mask if you cannot get hold of one, and the most important precaution­s are to keep at least two metres from any other person and avoid touching any surfaces where possible, even if you're wearing surgical gloves (available from supermarke­ts – nylon ones are generally suitable for those with latex allergies).

 ??  ?? Simply washing your hands can do a great deal to protect you from Covid-19
Simply washing your hands can do a great deal to protect you from Covid-19

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