Update: Coronavirus in the Netherlands

Update March 17: The number of confirmed contaminations with the corona virus in the Netherlands is rising. Measures taken to prevent the spread of the corona virus may vary from country to country. With this article, we would like to inform internationals as to the current advice for the Netherlands. These have been issued by the National Institute of Public Health (RIVM) and the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG).

Daily updated information can be found at the RIVM website. Here you will also find answers to other questions relating to the new corona virus.

Topics

• What is the new corona virus?
• How does the corona virus spread?
• How do I prevent contamination?
• How sick will I get if I contract the virus?
• Is there medication against the new corona virus?
• What do I do if I suspect I may be contaminated?
• More information about the new corona virus

What is the new corona virus?

Corona viruses have been around for a long time. There are different strains. Usually these viruses only cause mild symptoms, such as colds. The new corona virus can cause more severe symptoms, such as pneumonia.

How does the corona virus spread?

The virus spreads from person to person.

• If a contaminated person coughs or sneezes, small droplets get into the air. You can breathe those in.
• These droplets can also get onto your hands, for example, if you shake hands with someone, or if someone near you sneezes. If you then touch your eyes, mouth, nose or throat with your hands, the virus can enter your body.

The sicker someone is, the more of the virus he or she spreads. Someone who’s not very sick, spreads less of the virus.
Someone without symptoms does not spread the virus.

You can’t get the virus from post or parcels. The virus can’t survive well outside of the body.

How do I prevent contamination?

Tips to help you prevent getting or spreading the virus:

• Wash your hands often with water and soap. Dry them with a paper towel and dispose of it.
• Only use hand alcohol or hand gel when there is no tap or soap available. For example after blowing your nose.
• Cough and sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
• Touch your eyes, nose and mouth as little as possible.
• Use paper tissues to blow your nose.
• Stay 2 metres away from people who are coughing or sneezing.

You are better off without a face mask. Most masks do not hold back the virus properly, as they’re difficult to use.
It’s hard to breathe in a mouth mask. A mask also gets warm. This causes people to touch it with their hands, which is exactly what one mustn’t do, as it could contain the virus. So the mask can actually cause you to contract or spread the virus, instead of preventing it.
For professionals working with people who may have the corona virus, however, the masks are important.

How sick will I get if I contract the virus?

You will have a fever (38 degrees Celsius or more) plus one or both of these symptoms:

• coughing
• difficulty breathing

Elderly people sometimes don’t display a fever when temperature is taken. They do however feel feverish.

You don’t display symptoms immediately after contracting the virus. It usually takes 5 to 7 days for symptoms to show.
You may display symptoms after 2 days. It never takes longer than 14 days for symptoms to start.

Most people have only mild symptoms, and recover within a few days. The chances of the corona virus causing serious illness are slim.

Occasionally, the virus can cause a serious case of pneumonia. This can take longer to cure: up to a few weeks.

The National Institute of Public Health expects that out of 100 people who have tested positively for the corona virus:

• about 83 become mildly ill
• around 15 people become very ill
• 2 people die.

The chance of death is greater for the elderly and people who are already sick.

Is there medication for the new corona virus?

There is no medication for the new corona virus. There is also no inoculation against the corona virus.

If someone becomes very ill due to the new corona virus, hospital admission may be necessary.
Doctors there can, for example, provide oxygen to help ease shortness of breath.

What do I do if I suspect I may be contaminated?

Stay home if  you are displaying symptoms: cold, cough or sneezing or have a fever of no more then 38 degrees.

Phone your GP ('huisarts') or out of hours service ('huisartsenpost') immediately if the following 2 things apply to you:

1. You have a fever of 38 degrees or more.
2. You are coughing, or suffering from shortness of breath.

Do NOT visit your GP, out of hours service or hospital. This could cause contamination of others.
The GP will tell you what to do. Until then, stay indoors.

If necessary, the GP will visit you at home.

Do you suffer from a chronic illness, such as diabetes, heart disease or COPD? Then call your GP on the day you get a fever (even if you haven’t been close to someone who you know has the corona virus).

More information about the new corona virus

For questions about the corona virus you can call the government’s public information number: 0800-1351
(from abroad: +312 0205 1351)

For more information on the new corona virus, see the RIVM website. Here you will also find answers to other questions relating to the new corona virus.

The ministry of Foreign Affairs offers advice (in Dutch) about travel to China, Iran, Singapore, South-Korea and Italy.

This news item is a translation of a post by Thuisarts.nl. The information is not intended to replace a consultation with a GP. For personal advice, please contact your GP. Please read our disclaimer.

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