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Social distancing is the key to protecting ourselves from the coronavirus (COVID-19), and thankfully, the State of Qatar has taken quick precautionary steps to help us limit our social interactions, says Dr Anjuman Ara, a graduate of Dow Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan. Dr Anjuman, who came to Doha in 1987, was the first Pakistani doctor to get licensed as a private practitioner in Qatar in 1989. As a result, she started her private practice as a family physician at Msheireb Street in 1990. Popular with patients, she holds various qualifications which include post-graduate courses in dermatology from Civil Hospital, Karachi and Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre. In 2011, she moved to a spacious location in New Rayyan area near Al-Shafi Street. She is especially known for her experience in women and children’s health, along with the treatment of obesity and skin diseases. Qatar Tribune spoke to her about the COVID-19 that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), and sought her advice on the precautionary measures. Excerpts:
What are the common symptoms of COVID-19?
The symptoms for COVID-19 and flu can be very similar. So if you experience headache, high fever, tiredness and dry cough followed by abdominal pain and vomiting, it’s important to get yourself checked. If you are unsure, the MOPH Qatar website has a self-assessment tool that you can use to see if you’re showing symptoms or not.
How can we look after someone having coronavirus?
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, they have to be quarantined by the State of Qatar. There is no question of how they can be looked after at home. As for our healthcare workers in hospitals, they receive specific trainings and instructions. People should not try to treat or recover at home unless instructed by the authorities. However, if someone is experiencing flu-like symptoms and has not yet tested positive for COVID19, then they should:
• Isolate themselves from other household members
• Do gargles with hot water and take hot steam
• Take paracetamol if there’s high fever (not Ibuprofen)
• Disinfect and clean their surroundings and areas they may have touched frequently
• Avoid unnecessary visitors, let them call/video but keep distance
• Avoid sharing household items, keep separate plates/utensils and thoroughly wash
• If symptoms persist or increase, consult the hospital or call the hotline number: 16000.
What is the possible treatment for the coronavirus in the absence of suitable medication?
As per Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 available. So people who test positive receive medical care to relieve their symptoms. The best precautionary methods are to boost our body’s own defense system by drinking plenty of liquids, getting rest, and social distancing. It’s also important to keep a healthy lifestyle and routine.
What measures can be taken by those in self isolation?
I would suggest that they should exercise the following:
• Social distancing – avoid any unnecessary contact, use video calls instead of personal visits
• Cleanliness – make a disinfectant spray and regularly clean surface/clothes
• Clean anything coming in from outside and your own surroundings regularly, our phones often get ignored
There’s a lot of information available online regarding the pandemic, which confuses people. What precautionary measures would you recommend?
First and foremost, it’s very important that everyone stays at home and self-isolates from others in their household if they’re feeling unwell. Other precautionary measures are to make sure to regularly wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and cover the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when you sneeze and cough. Another good habit to generally develop is sneezing or coughing into the nook of your elbow if you can’t get a tissue. Sometimes we are not aware of every surface we’ve touched or when we last washed our hands so another good practice is to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Finally, it’s important to avoid close contact with other people. They may not always show symptoms but could be carriers.
How can we protect ourselves from the pandemic?
Social distancing is the key factor to protect ourselves from this pandemic. Thankfully, the State of Qatar has taken quick precautionary steps to help us limit our social interactions. It’s important to make sure that you and your children are at home and away from external people. If anyone has to leave the house for essential goods or groceries, leave your children at home. The adult who does leave should make sure they’re wearing gloves and using hand sanitiser frequently when they’re out. Once they get back home, spray them with a suitable disinfectant, put the clothes into the laundry, wash your hands. Sanitise yourself, the keys, wallets, credit or debit cards, cash and others things you’ve touched before interacting with your children. Basically, practice more general hygiene and cleanliness.
How does the COVID-19 virus normally spread?
It’s spread through contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets… basically, if they sneeze, cough or even talk too close. That’s why, if anyone at home is showing any symptoms, it’s important to self-isolate them in a separate bedroom from the rest of the household members. Some research also shows that it may be airborne.
What about pregnant women having coronavirus? Can they pass on the virus to unborn babies?
We have generally seen that pregnant women are often particularly susceptible to respiratory infections and once infected, they can become seriously ill with long-lasting consequences for both the mother and the baby. One study in China showed 3 out of 33 COVID-19 positive mothers had passed the virus onto their children though it’s unclear if this occurred in the womb or after birth. Not much research has been done yet to verify the extent of risk to unborn children and that’s why it’s crucial for pregnant women to be extra cautious.
Can children get the coronavirus disease?
A respiratory disease can affect anyone, but to-date, the number of affected children has remained low. However, this does not mean we should compromise on their hand washing, cleanliness and social distancing. With no school, they may want to go and play with friends so try and arrange for them to socialise through video calls with their friends.
Who is at most risk from the coronavirus disease?
People of all ages can be infected by the coronavirus but there are some more at-risk groups. These are the older people (60+); those with pre-existing medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, etc) and those with compromised immune systems. Remember stress and worrying can also impact your immunity so it’s important not to panic. Just take the precautionary measures.
Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus?
Currently, there’s no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 but there is a lot of research being done to create one. Even with an unprecedented speed of research, it will take time before a vaccine is developed.
Is the coronavirus new according to medical science?
Coronaviruses are basically a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses in animals or humans. In just the past decade, we’ve seen several coronaviruses that have caused respiratory infections such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The COVID-19 is a new strain discovered in China in 2019.
Do you think those cured from COVID-19 are prone to getting infected again with the same disease?
Since COVID19 is still new, there’s not enough research to determine this. Some experts believe those affected do gain immunity while others think that like most viruses the coronavirus can evolve and mutate so that our immunity is still compromised. Regardless of whether you’ve been cured or not, it’s important to still maintain good hygiene and social distancing. Like I said earlier, we may not be showing the symptoms but we can still be carriers and unintentionally pass it on to more at-risk groups.
How can we take care of our mental and emotional health during self-isolation?
In times like this, it’s very easy for us to take mental or emotional strain on ourselves. It’s important to try and keep some sense of a routine and schedule. This can help us keep our sense of self alive. For our Muslim readers, with Ramadan coming up and we being at home, this is a great opportunity for us to dedicate time to our worship: praying, reading the holy Quran with understanding and repenting. Only Allah can help us get out of this.
What advice would you give to our readers in time of a pandemic that has created panic and scare?
My advice would be:
• Do not panic and try to be cautious of the news you’re consuming from social media and other sources
• Use this time to focus on developing or exploring new hobbies or tasks that you may not have had time for before — use this time productively, stay safe and come out stronger
• Exercise social distancing and practice hygiene
• Lastly, like everything else, this too will pass
What are the common symptoms of COVID-19?
The symptoms for COVID-19 and flu can be very similar. So if you experience headache, high fever, tiredness and dry cough followed by abdominal pain and vomiting, it’s important to get yourself checked. If you are unsure, the MOPH Qatar website has a self-assessment tool that you can use to see if you’re showing symptoms or not.
How can we look after someone having coronavirus?
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, they have to be quarantined by the State of Qatar. There is no question of how they can be looked after at home. As for our healthcare workers in hospitals, they receive specific trainings and instructions. People should not try to treat or recover at home unless instructed by the authorities. However, if someone is experiencing flu-like symptoms and has not yet tested positive for COVID19, then they should:
• Isolate themselves from other household members
• Do gargles with hot water and take hot steam
• Take paracetamol if there’s high fever (not Ibuprofen)
• Disinfect and clean their surroundings and areas they may have touched frequently
• Avoid unnecessary visitors, let them call/video but keep distance
• Avoid sharing household items, keep separate plates/utensils and thoroughly wash
• If symptoms persist or increase, consult the hospital or call the hotline number: 16000.
What is the possible treatment for the coronavirus in the absence of suitable medication?
As per Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 available. So people who test positive receive medical care to relieve their symptoms. The best precautionary methods are to boost our body’s own defense system by drinking plenty of liquids, getting rest, and social distancing. It’s also important to keep a healthy lifestyle and routine.
What measures can be taken by those in self isolation?
I would suggest that they should exercise the following:
• Social distancing – avoid any unnecessary contact, use video calls instead of personal visits
• Cleanliness – make a disinfectant spray and regularly clean surface/clothes
• Clean anything coming in from outside and your own surroundings regularly, our phones often get ignored
There’s a lot of information available online regarding the pandemic, which confuses people. What precautionary measures would you recommend?
First and foremost, it’s very important that everyone stays at home and self-isolates from others in their household if they’re feeling unwell. Other precautionary measures are to make sure to regularly wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and cover the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when you sneeze and cough. Another good habit to generally develop is sneezing or coughing into the nook of your elbow if you can’t get a tissue. Sometimes we are not aware of every surface we’ve touched or when we last washed our hands so another good practice is to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Finally, it’s important to avoid close contact with other people. They may not always show symptoms but could be carriers.
How can we protect ourselves from the pandemic?
Social distancing is the key factor to protect ourselves from this pandemic. Thankfully, the State of Qatar has taken quick precautionary steps to help us limit our social interactions. It’s important to make sure that you and your children are at home and away from external people. If anyone has to leave the house for essential goods or groceries, leave your children at home. The adult who does leave should make sure they’re wearing gloves and using hand sanitiser frequently when they’re out. Once they get back home, spray them with a suitable disinfectant, put the clothes into the laundry, wash your hands. Sanitise yourself, the keys, wallets, credit or debit cards, cash and others things you’ve touched before interacting with your children. Basically, practice more general hygiene and cleanliness.
How does the COVID-19 virus normally spread?
It’s spread through contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets… basically, if they sneeze, cough or even talk too close. That’s why, if anyone at home is showing any symptoms, it’s important to self-isolate them in a separate bedroom from the rest of the household members. Some research also shows that it may be airborne.
What about pregnant women having coronavirus? Can they pass on the virus to unborn babies?
We have generally seen that pregnant women are often particularly susceptible to respiratory infections and once infected, they can become seriously ill with long-lasting consequences for both the mother and the baby. One study in China showed 3 out of 33 COVID-19 positive mothers had passed the virus onto their children though it’s unclear if this occurred in the womb or after birth. Not much research has been done yet to verify the extent of risk to unborn children and that’s why it’s crucial for pregnant women to be extra cautious.
Can children get the coronavirus disease?
A respiratory disease can affect anyone, but to-date, the number of affected children has remained low. However, this does not mean we should compromise on their hand washing, cleanliness and social distancing. With no school, they may want to go and play with friends so try and arrange for them to socialise through video calls with their friends.
Who is at most risk from the coronavirus disease?
People of all ages can be infected by the coronavirus but there are some more at-risk groups. These are the older people (60+); those with pre-existing medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, etc) and those with compromised immune systems. Remember stress and worrying can also impact your immunity so it’s important not to panic. Just take the precautionary measures.
Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus?
Currently, there’s no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 but there is a lot of research being done to create one. Even with an unprecedented speed of research, it will take time before a vaccine is developed.
Is the coronavirus new according to medical science?
Coronaviruses are basically a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses in animals or humans. In just the past decade, we’ve seen several coronaviruses that have caused respiratory infections such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The COVID-19 is a new strain discovered in China in 2019.
Do you think those cured from COVID-19 are prone to getting infected again with the same disease?
Since COVID19 is still new, there’s not enough research to determine this. Some experts believe those affected do gain immunity while others think that like most viruses the coronavirus can evolve and mutate so that our immunity is still compromised. Regardless of whether you’ve been cured or not, it’s important to still maintain good hygiene and social distancing. Like I said earlier, we may not be showing the symptoms but we can still be carriers and unintentionally pass it on to more at-risk groups.
How can we take care of our mental and emotional health during self-isolation?
In times like this, it’s very easy for us to take mental or emotional strain on ourselves. It’s important to try and keep some sense of a routine and schedule. This can help us keep our sense of self alive. For our Muslim readers, with Ramadan coming up and we being at home, this is a great opportunity for us to dedicate time to our worship: praying, reading the holy Quran with understanding and repenting. Only Allah can help us get out of this.
What advice would you give to our readers in time of a pandemic that has created panic and scare?
My advice would be:
• Do not panic and try to be cautious of the news you’re consuming from social media and other sources
• Use this time to focus on developing or exploring new hobbies or tasks that you may not have had time for before — use this time productively, stay safe and come out stronger
• Exercise social distancing and practice hygiene
• Lastly, like everything else, this too will pass
