The Faculty of Health Sciences conducted Athenaeum ‘Coronavirus, an international emergency’, which had the guidance of three expert epidemiologists in the city, who presented their knowledge and recommendations regarding this disease that affects humanity.

 

"For the third time in so many decades, a zoonotic coronavirus (a disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans) has crossed species to infect human populations." This is how the experts invited to the Coronavirus athenaeum organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Cauca referred.

 

The event was guided by Dr. Julio Cesar Klinger, a professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Universidad del Cauca expert in epidemiology, Dubán Quintero, Epidemiologist, leader of the process of public health surveillance of the Department of Department of Health , and Víctor Hugo Lozano Fernández, who is an Infectologist and professor at the Universidad del Cauca.

 

Participants indicated that although not much is known about this virus that keeps the international scientific community on alert, the only thing that has been identified is that it comes from Wuhan, China. Likewise, they referred to how the epidemic is evolving and the probable total number of cases to be known in the future, so it is expected that the mortality rate of the new coronavirus will possibly be less than 2%.

 

"So far there is no knowledge in the country or in the department of Cauca that any person with the disease has been registered, but we are attentive to any alert that may be presented with the coordination of the National Institute of Health," said Quán Quánro. He added that the rapid response of the public, clinical and scientific health communities of the Far Eastern country has facilitated the recognition of the disease and the initial understanding of the epidemiology of the infection as well as its control.

 

Doctor Julio César Klinger, Internist at the University of Cauca and Immunology Specialist, explained that Coronavirus is the global alarm against other viruses; globalization is not only commercial, viruses are also rotating, so people living or traveling through an area where the new virus circulates may be exposed to the risk of infection.

 

“In the face of care, I recommend zero stress, since defenses are lowered and viruses are strengthened. The important thing is to think with a cool head and have a balanced diet, also maintain social distance, do not greet hands, or kisses, wash your hands well, exercise constantly, this in order to clean the body because the lymphatic system is the one that protects and cleanses the organism, that's why I invite you to do a lot of sport,” recommended Doctor Klinger.

 

He also indicated that one aspect that can strengthen the organism filter is the throat where the peritonsillar collar is located, which must be washed with a saline solution (salt water) or in the absence of sodium bicarbonate that dissolves a teaspoon in water and gargle, which helps strengthen this first organism filter.

 

Víctor Hugo Lozano Fernández, an infectologist and professor at the University of Cauca, said that the new Coronavirus is a virus to be vigilant, we must not neglect and follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization WHO. "Protection and self-protection measures such as personal care are important aspects to help control the spread of the virus, although there is no evidence of the arrival of the virus in Colombia for now, we must be vigilant."

 

The three experts agreed that the warning signs that people may have is a very bad cold with difficulty breathing, for which the first thing to do is not to be alarmed and attend the hospital emergency unit to rule out the disease .

 

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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Email: faca@unicauca.edu.co