Many people are likely to not follow the correct advice on wearing a mask, constantly readjusting the mask which has the potential to contaminate them.
My temperature has remained normal (34.6 to 36.4) for over two weeks yet I am experiencing pain in my lymph nodes under the armpits and mild chest pain, with no. cough but inflamed throat glands. Can this be alarming and is it urgent for me to visit a medical facility? Yet I have no traveling history.
Lymph nodes, a part of the lymphatic system, play a role in immune function. Any foreign agent in the body has the potential to trigger a defensive response by the white blood cells of the body and other inflammatory proteins. These then isolate/trap and neutralise the foreign agent within nodes. Unilateral (one-sided) inflammation may be a sign of an infection or disease on that side of the body, while bilateral (affecting both sides) and potentially involving other node locations may point to a more systemic (generally widespread) disease.
It is essential to have a conversation with your doctor, or visit your nearest health facility, so that the history of your symptoms may be evaluated better. This will also aid in providing guidance on investigations that may help identify or confirm the underlying process.
You may also access mDakatri telemedicine services online by creating an account and requesting a consultation. This will provide you access to medical professionals over the phone, keeping you out of crowded waiting rooms. The service is available 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Is it safer to wear gloves or to wear a mask if out in public? Or both?
People can catch SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 illness from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 infection coughs or exhales.
These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
The recommendation is to stay indoors and to minimise non-essential movement. Where this is unavoidable, social distancing measures such as maintaining a minimum 6 feet (2m) distance between you and others is key. This means avoiding brushing past people in the streets or supermarket aisles and maintaining the same distance when in queues (e.g. at the supermarket). Keeping the minimum distance between yourself and others reduces the risk of droplets transferring to you.
The initial advice on masks is that masks are reserved for either healthy people taking care of people with COVID-19 (mask acts as a barrier) or for ill people who are coughing or sneezing to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to those who do not have it (the mask would trap infectious droplets).
Wearing of masks and gloves for most people may be ineffective and potentially contribute to more infections. Many people are likely to not follow the correct advice on wearing a mask, constantly readjusting the mask which has the potential to contaminate them. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends use of masks if you suspect you are infected.
In its announcement on April 2nd 2020, the Kenyan government recommended that all public transport users will be required to wear face masks when travelling. Face masks are only as effective if used correctly. This means being worn correctly, consistently (it is not ok to wear a mask and decide to take it off; it must be worn full-time when out in public) and removed/disposed of safely if they become moist. Masks must be used in combination with good universal hygiene practices.
To reduce the risk of infection and slow transmission of COVID-19, the advice remains to keep your distance, wash your hands and do not touch your face.
