2020-02-13 04:29:16

Wednesday afternoon @ 11 pm 12 Feb 2020, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh has consulted and answered questions about the disease caused by corona virus, or covid-19. Here are some outstanding questions of readers that were specifically answered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Binh.

What is corona virus, and its symptoms and transmission?

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: Corona virus, also known as nCoV virus is not a strange virus but every year this virus can cause the common cold symptoms. In early December 2019, China happened to be infected with a virus causing severe pneumonia but the cause has not been found yet. By December 31, 2019, China found a virus similar to the corona virus, so it called a new strain of corona virus called nCoV. In January 2020, the WHO confirmed that this is the cause of pneumonia of concern to humankind globally. Corona virus causes annual colds with 4 generations: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. Two of the first two types have caused serious illness, such as Sars Syndrome in 2003. In 2016, Mers-CoV. By 2020, it is called nCoV.

 Pathogens Sars and Mers-CoV from camels, bats, deer, foxes, cats in the wild ...

 Transmission of nCoV virus (Covid-19): Spread through inhalation (droplets). When a patient coughs, sneezes, the droplet spreads to the opposite person, or the droplet attaches to the surface of the table, objects ... When the hand comes into contact with the surface of the infected virus and brings it to the face, nose causing illness. Cases spread via air is very limited, can be transmitted through endoscopy, aerosol spray when medical staff perform procedures on patients ... So the two main routes are spread through droplets and direct contact.

Assoc. Prof. Tran Quang Binh answered questions about corona virus (covid-19).

High-risk people, factors, symptoms and treatment

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh:

Symptoms: Virus transmitted by respiratory tract should have symptoms such as: fever, cough, sneezing, sometimes diarrhea ... However, when these symptoms are not able to confirm 100% of the disease cause coronary disease.

 Therefore, to diagnose the disease, it will need to focus on: first the symptoms (cough, fever, runny nose, shortness of breath). The second is the weak combination of epidemiology (patients who have come into contact with a suspect or a person infected with coronavirus, have just returned from an infected area, ...). Based on the above 2 factors, the patient will undergo diagnostic testing.

How to test: take specimen from throat, nose, take blood for testing (with additional properties).

High-risk people: According to statistics, those with weak immune systems, aged 30 and older and those with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular, kidney failure, diabetes ... In addition, those who come into contact with people from the epidemic area returning, contact the infected person ... will have a high risk of infection.

Watch Livestream with Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Binh for more useful advice Click Here (Vietnamese version.)

Fortunately, the disease rarely occurs in children, but it is not uncommon. There have been cases of 3-month-old children in Vietnam infected. In the case of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, there is no clear evidence of the risk of mother-to-child transmission. However, if there is resistance, good immune system can fight disease in general, not only for nCoV.

What is the disease prevention?

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: The most important problem is to avoid contact with people with respiratory symptoms, avoiding unnecessary crowded places. In case it is compulsory to go to a crowded place, it is necessary to wear a mask, clean hands regularly. Eat cooked food, clean food, full of nutrients.

 Recommendations for those traveling abroad: It is best to avoid outbreak areas. For example currently limited to China or some countries where epidemics occur. However, if you have to go on business because you need to protect yourself by wearing a mask when you go to the crowd. Increasing resistance by eating hygiene, sleeping properly, science in order to increase resistance against diseases.

How to response to a Suspected infection with nCov?

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: Symptoms of nCoV are similar to the common cold, so if there are only symptoms of cough and fever that require testing, it may make the hospitals overburdened. In case of respiratory manifestations and contact with people with nCoV, returning from an outbreak, necessary tests are needed. Currently, hospitals are receiving tests such as Tropical Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Children's Hospital 1 and 2, Pasteur Hospital.

What should pregnant women be aware of?

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: So far there is no scientific evidence to confirm that corona virus can be transmitted from mother to child. However, pregnant women should be aware that, like other influenza viruses, during pregnancy the body's hormonal changes, resistance may be impaired. If you have nCoV can be abortion, premature birth should prevent disease: eating, resting, hand hygiene, ... Limit going to unnecessary places.

How does City International Hospital respond to the disease?

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: City International Hospital quickly responded and approached promptly by setting up a screening clinic for patients right from the time the patient entered the hospital (measuring body temperature, asking , check for symptoms of fever, cough ...). After that, he was consulted and distributed a mask for free. If infected is suspected, the patient will be placed in isolation in a waiting room for testing results.

 If more people are sick, the isolation rooms on the 5th floor will be expanded to ensure the best response to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Watch Livestream with Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Binh for more useful advice here (Vietnamese version.)

City International Hospital (CIH)

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: 

City International Hospital

• Phone: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 0
• Address: No. 3, 17A Street, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan Dist. (Next to AEON Mall Binh Tan). Ho Chi Minh City.
• Website: https://cih.com.vn/en/
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pharmacity Clinic (Managed by City International Hospital)

• Clinic location: 44 Quoc Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Helpline: (028) 700 3350 - 093 357 6086
• Clinic hours: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Consultation fee: 70,000 dong per visit. 

General disclaimer

 Always consult your doctor regarding any concern about your health. Your doctor will be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice. For suspected undesirable drug reaction and seek medical attention immediately.