Could I have contracted the coronavirus?

Proven content

Due to the ever increasing number of cases of COVID-19 infection, more and more people are wondering if they could have contracted this virus. A series of relevant questions and honest answers allow you to assess the risk and inform you about what actions need to be implemented in each case.

Is the risk of contracting the coronavirus COVID-19 still increasing?

The risk of contracting the coronavirus COVID-19 is still very high. For this reason, not only in Poland, but also in other countries, a number of restrictions had to be introduced, aimed at reducing not only the number of infected, but also the deaths of the coronavirus.

1. Check also: Coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus [Map updated]

Corona virus checker

Due to the increasing risk of contracting the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus, medonet has introduced the first tool in Poland and one of the first in the world that made it possible to easily determine the risk of contracting coronavirus.

The coronavirus checker was created on the basis of information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, after prior consultations with doctors. As a result, the tool enabled users to answer a few simple questions on the basis of which it was possible to assess the risk of infection.

The coronavirus checker was very popular among users. It was used by nearly 600 thousand. people. It was a tool of particular importance in the first weeks of the pandemic, when the availability of COVID-19 tests was limited.

Cheker made it possible not only to assess the risk of contracting the coronavirus. Users also had access to a full list of infectious hospitals and sanitary and epidemiological stations to which they could turn for help in the event of suspected COVID-19 infection.

The whole was complemented by daily updated maps showing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic both in Poland and in the world.

Such a comprehensive solution allowed users to access all the most important information about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, while at the same time quickly assessing the risk of infection.

The coronavirus checker was disabled in June 2020 due to declining epidemiological risks. However, there are still simple questions that we describe below for assessing the risk of contagion.

Have you recently been abroad, in particular in countries with high rates of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections?

The first question was about going abroad, especially to a country where the COVID-19 coronavirus is spreading very quickly. The countries with the highest risk include most European countries (especially Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany). People returning from trips to the United States and Asia are also at risk. However, not only they are subject to a 14-day quarantine, but also all those who traveled outside Poland.

1. Learn more: What does home quarantine look like when coronavirus is suspected?

Have you noticed symptoms of COVID-19 infection?

The next question concerns all people, not only those returning from abroad. Symptoms such as: fever above 38 degrees C, dry cough and breathing problems should be a signal for continuous monitoring of your health. They may indicate a developing cold or flu, but also the COVID-19 coronavirus. All the more so if the indicated symptoms intensify rapidly – especially those that cause serious breathing problems.

1. See also: Atypical symptom of coronavirus infection. COVID-19 Disease Causes Eye Redness?

Have you been in contact with a sick / infected COVID ‑ 19 (SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2) coronavirus or were you in close proximity to such people?

People at risk are those who have had direct contact with someone infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus:

1. have been in contact at a distance of less than two meters for more than 15 minutes;
2. have a long face-to-face conversation with someone who has symptoms of the disease;
3. the infected person belongs to groups of closest friends or colleagues;
4. the infected person lives in the same household, in the same hotel room, in a dormitory.

Have you worked or stayed as a visitor in a healthcare facility that treated patients infected with SARS-CoV-2?

This question primarily concerns people who have had direct or indirect contact with people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus in medical facilities. People visiting their relatives should monitor their health condition and submit to voluntary quarantine. However, in the event of worsening of symptoms, call the emergency number of the National Health Fund or contact the nearest sanitary and epidemiological unit by phone.

The possibility of coronavirus COVID-19 infection – how to interpret the results?

The results can be interpreted in two ways – depending on whether the answers to the above questions were negative or positive.

The risk of infection in people who have not been abroad in the past few weeks, have not had direct contact with an infected person and do not have the typical symptoms of COVID-19 disease is relatively low, although it does not exclude it.

This is because we already know that the coronavirus infection can also be asymptomatic. For this reason, until the epidemic stops, special precautions should be taken (frequent washing of hands or lack of personal contacts) that will protect us and our loved ones from possible infection.

For the same reasons, we can never be sure that the people we are in direct contact with are not carriers.

The risk of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus is also low in people traveling abroad, but who have not developed the characteristic symptoms of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t need to monitor the temperature. Forced home quarantine will help verify that they’re not infected. It should also be remembered that the disease can be asymptomatic, which is why isolation is so important.

Those at greatest risk are those who have traveled to countries with the highest infection rates and at the same time have seen people showing disturbing symptoms. The risk group also includes visitors, doctors, paramedics and nurses – that is, people who have direct contact with people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus. They must be especially careful when wearing face masks and disposable gloves, and frequently disinfect their hands – the last rule applies to everyone!

Coronavirus COVID-19 infection – basic WHO recommendations

The website of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the government website, does not lack information on basic precautions, which mainly includes washing hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. In case of lack of access to running water, disinfect your hands with a special liquid with an alcohol concentration higher than 60%.

Not sure what to do in case of symptoms? Call me!

The National Health Fund has made available a free helpline 800 190 590, which is open XNUMX hours a day, seven days a week. Consultants will be waiting at the number provided to tell you what to do in the event of symptoms. In an emergency, you should remember two more important rules – you must not panic and lie to doctors in order to ensure the safety of not only yourself, but also your loved ones and medical staff.

Remember to take the coronavirus checker test!

Check out other information on the coronavirus as well:

1. What does disinfection of an apartment after an illness look like?
2. How many mutations does the coronavirus have? As many as 40 were detected in Iceland
3. How long does it take to recover from coronavirus infection?

Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.