Who are you вирус

Вирус на компьютере – это сплошная головная боль для пользователя ПК. Там, где компьютер и интернет, – там может появиться и компьютерный вирус. К сожалению – это реальность сегодняшних дней.

Компьютерный вирус – это, как правило, небольшая программа, которая создается высококлассными программистами. Сегодня известно огромное количество вирусных программ, и создаются все новые и новые. Вирус действует полностью деструктивно на работу компьютера, а также компьютерный вирус имеет способность размножаться.

Как правило, вирус воздействует программным путем. Обычно, вирус либо присоединяется к какому-либо файлу на компьютере, либо проникает вовнутрь файла, т.е. файл получается зараженным вирусом. Вирус, который проник в файл и заразил его, становится активен и способен заражать и прочие файлы, хранящиеся на компьютере, а также и программы, установленные на ПК.

Есть и такие вирусные программы, которые способны серьезно повредить действия компьютера, вплоть до его полной непригодности к работе (например, форматирование жесткого диска компьютера). Вирус на компьютере может проявляться по-разному: мешать работе на компьютере, потеря хранимой информации и т.д.

Часто вирус, попадая в компьютер, воздействует на исполнительные файлы (имеющие расширения exeи com). Вирус может заразить только персональный компьютер, но вирус никак не может воздействовать на пользователя ПК (бытует порой и такое мнение, 🙂 хи-хи. ).

Компьютерный вирус может попасть (источники проникновения) в ПК следующими путями:

— внешние носители (CD, DVD, флэшки и т.д.);

— сеть интернет (вирус может попадать в систему компьютера и через электронную почту, – часто встречающееся сегодня явление);

— винчестер (жесткий диск ПК), который был поражен при работе с вирусными программами;

— вирус, который мог остаться в оперативной памяти компьютера после работы на нем предшествующего пользователя.

Признаки, свидетельствующие о том, что вирус поразил компьютер:

— уменьшился объем свободной оперативной памяти компьютера;

— замедлилась скорость загрузки ПК и скорость его работы;

— изменения файлов (размер, дата изменения), которые могут насторожить пользователя ПК;

— ошибки, которые могут возникать при загрузке операционной системы ПК;

— неадекватные информационные сообщения (визуальные, звуковые и т.д.);

— сохранность файлов в компьютере невозможна.

Активность вируса проявляется: при исчезновении файлов, при невозможности частичной или полной загрузки операционной системы и файлов, при форматировании.

Как я уже писал выше – вирусов великое множество, существует некая их классификация по видам.

Виды компьютерных вирусов:

— вирус, поражающий загрузочный сектор диска и код файла (очень опасен, приводит к потере информации);

— вирус, заражающий файлы: программные и запускающие (расширение comи exe); макровирус (документы Word, Excel); вирус – спутник (использует имена других файлов); вирус типа Dir (искажает информацию о структуре файла);

— вирус невидимка (изменяют информацию, передаваемую с диска и предназначенную программам для работы);

— ретро вирус (направлен против нормальной работы антивирусной программы);

— вирус или червь, который ведет на местонахождение самого вируса. Такой вирус очень опасен, т.к. очень трудно распознать код такого вируса, при его загрузке этот вирус через интернет считывает свое тело и начинает свою негативную работу на компьютере.

Общие действия, которые могут помочь противостоять заражению вирусом:

— резервное копирование информационных файлов и системных секторов жесткого диска;

— избегать установку на компьютер и работу с неизвестными или случайными программами;

— перезагружать ПК, если до вас за ним работал кто-то другой;

— ограничивать доступ к информации (например, защита внешних носителей).

Кроме общих действий противостоять вирусам можно и с помощью программных средств. К ним относятся, конечно же, всем известные антивирусные программы (антивирус).

Антивирус – это специальная программа, которая не только выявляет вирус, но и обезвреживает его. Но антивирус – это не стопроцентная гарантия безопасности компьютера, т.к. вирус (вирусная программа), все-таки, появляется раньше. Это значит, что антивирус не может бороться с вновь родившимся вирусом, до тех пор, пока не будет написана антивирусная программа, не появится антивирус, который сможет противостоять новому вирусу.

Но практически каждый из известных антивирусов имеет в своем наличии специальный пакет, который сможет различить код, который характерен для вируса.Такой пакет способствует своевременному выявлению опасности и предупреждению заражения новым вирусом.

Виды антивирусных программ.

Детекторы, предназначение которых – это нахождение зараженных каким-либо одним известным вирусом файлов.

Лекари, программы которые лечат диски и программы компьютера, которые поразил вирус. Лечение заключается в том, что данные программы изымают код вируса из зараженных файлов.

Ревизоры. Эти программы выявляют зараженные файлы, пораженные вирусом, а также находят непосредственные поражения файлов. Данные программы запоминают параметры состояния программ и системных секторов дисков до заражения, анализируют и сравнивают эти параметры во время работы компьютера.

Лекари-ревизоры. Такие программы находят изменения в пораженных файлах и возвращают им первоначальные параметры.

Фильтры, которые перехватывают обращения к операционной системе (вирус использует ее для собственного размножения). Пользователь компьютера либо разрешает, либо запрещает данное обращение.

Вакцины – программы, которые применяются для обработки файлов и загрузочных секторов, предупреждая заражения известными вирусами.

При выборе антивирусной программы следует обращать внимание на такой важный параметр, как число распознающих сигнатур. Не менее важным является и такой показатель антивирусника, как наличие эвристического анализатора неизвестных вирусов (хотя его наличие и может замедлять работу антивируса).

Если не принимать надлежащих мер для защиты компьютера от вирусов, то последствия заражения могут быть очень серьезными и печальными.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but only have very mild symptoms. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. Around 1 out of every 5 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, or cancer , are at higher risk of developing serious illness. However anyone can catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill. Even people with very mild symptoms of COVID-19 can transmit the virus. People of all ages who experience fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

If you have minor symptoms, such as a slight cough or a mild fever, there is generally no need to seek medical care. Stay at home, self-isolate and monitor your symptoms. Follow national guidance on self-isolation.

However, if you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever it is important that you do not ignore symptoms of fever. Seek medical help. When you attend the health facility wear a mask if possible, keep at least 1 metre distance from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If it is a child who is sick help the child stick to this advice.

Seek immediate medical care if you have difficulty breathing or pain/pressure in the chest. If possible, call your health care provider in advance, so he/she can direct you to the right health facility.

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets are relatively heavy, do not travel far and quickly sink to the ground. People can catch COVID-19 if they breathe in these droplets from a person infected with the virus. This is why it is important to stay at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from others. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person such as tables, doorknobs and handrails. People can become infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is why it is important to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand rub.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways that COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.

COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing or has other symptoms such as fever or tiredness. Many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true in the early stages of the disease. It is possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has just a mild cough and does not feel ill.

Some reports have indicated that people with no symptoms can transmit the virus. It is not yet known how often it happens. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the topic and will continue to share updated findings.

Practicing hand and respiratory hygiene is important at ALL times and is the best way to protect others and yourself.

When possible maintain at least a 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. This is especially important if you are standing by someone who is coughing or sneezing. Since some infected persons may not yet be exhibiting symptoms or their symptoms may be mild, maintaining a physical distance with everyone is a good idea if you are in an area where COVID-19 is circulating.

If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you may be infected.

Close contact means that you live with or have been in settings of less than 1 metre from those who have the disease. In these cases, it is best to stay at home.

However, if you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever it is important that you do not ignore symptoms of fever. Seek medical help. When you attend the health facility wear a mask if possible, keep at least 1 metre distant from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If it is a child who is sick help the child stick to this advice.

If you do not live in an area with malaria or dengue fever please do the following:

• If you become ill, even with very mild symptoms you must self-isolate
• Even if you don’t think you have been exposed to COVID-19 but develop symptoms, then self-isolate and monitor yourself
• You are more likely to infect others in the early stages of the disease when you just have mild symptoms, therefore early self-isolation is very important.
• If you do not have symptoms, but have been exposed to an infected person, self-quarantine for 14 days.

If you have definitely had COVID-19 (confirmed by a test) self-isolate for 14 days even after symptoms have disappeared as a precautionary measure – it is not yet known exactly how long people remain infectious after they have recovered. Follow national advice on self-isolation.

Self-isolation is an important measure taken by those who have COVID-19 symptoms to avoid infecting others in the community, including family members.

Self-isolation is when a person who is experiencing fever, cough or other COVID-19 symptoms stays at home and does not go to work, school or public places. This can be voluntarily or based on his/her health care provider’s recommendation. However, if you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever it is important that you do not ignore symptoms of fever. Seek medical help. When you attend the health facility wear a mask if possible, keep at least 1 metre distant from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If it is a child who is sick help the child stick to this advice.

If you do not live in an area with malaria or dengue fever please do the following:

- If a person is in self-isolation, it is because he/she is ill but not severely ill (requiring medical attention)

• have a large, well-ventilated with hand-hygiene and toilet facilities
• If this is not possible, place beds at least 1 metre apart
• Keep at least 1 metre (3 feet) from others, even from your family members
• Monitor your symptoms daily
• Isolate for 14 days, even if you feel healthy
• If you develop difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately – call them first if possible
• Stay positive and energized by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising yourself at home.

To self-quarantine means to separate yourself from others because you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 even though you, yourself, do not have symptoms. During self-quarantine you monitor yourself for symptoms. The goal of the self-quarantine is to prevent transmission. Since people who become ill with COVID-19 can infect people immediately self-quarantine can prevent some infections from happening. .

• Have a large, well-ventilated single room with hand hygiene and toilet facilities
• If this is not available place beds at least 1 metre apart.
• Keep at least 1-metre distance from others, even from your family members.
• Monitor your symptoms daily
• Self-quarantine for 14 days, even if you feel healthy
• If you develop difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately – call them first if possible.
• Stay positive and energized by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising yourself at home.

However, if you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever it is important that you do not ignore symptoms of fever. Seek medical help. When you attend the health facility wear a mask if possible, keep at least 1 metre distant from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If it is a child who is sick help the child stick to this advice.

Quarantine means restricting activities or separating people who are not ill themselves but may have been exposed to COVID-19. The goal is to prevent spread of the disease at the time when people just develop symptoms.

Isolation means separating people who are ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and may be infectious to prevent the spread of the disease.

Physical distancing means being physically apart. WHO recommends keeping at least 1-metre (3 feet) distance from others. This is a general measure that everyone should take even if they are well with no known exposure to COVID-19.

Research indicates that children and adolescents are just as likely to become infected as any other age group and can spread the disease.

Evidence to date suggests that children and young adults are less likely to get severe disease, but severe cases can still happen in these age groups.

Children and adults should follow the same guidance on self-quarantine and self-isolation if there is a risk they have been exposed or are showing symptoms. It is particularly important that children avoid contact with older people and others who are at risk of more severe disease.

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and many are experiencing outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
• Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. Why? When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person has the disease.
• Avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COIVD-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 metre (3 feet).
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
• Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others. Why? Avoiding contact with others will protect them from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
• Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Why? Local and national authorities are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Not yet. To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicines against COVID-19. However, .people, particularly those with serious illness, may need to be hospitalized so that they can receive life-saving treatment for complications.. Most patients recover thanks to such care.

Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are currently under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to:

• Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose
• Cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue. If a tissue is used, discard it immediately and wash your hands.
• Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) from others.

The time between exposure to COVID-19 and the moment when symptoms start is commonly around five to six days but can range from 1 – 14 days.

COVID-19 is spread through human-to-human transmission.

We already know a lot about other viruses in the coronavirus family and most of these types of viruses have an origin in animals. The COVID-19 virus (also called SARS-CoV-2) is a new virus in humans. The possible animal source of COVID-19 has not yet been confirmed but research is ongoing.

WHO continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID-19 topics and will update, as new findings are available.

Several dogs and cats (domestic cats and a tiger) in contact with infected humans have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, ferrets appear to be susceptible to the infection. In experimental conditions, both cats and ferrets were able to transmit infection to other animals of the same species, but there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to human and play a role in spreading COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

It is still recommended that people who are sick with COVID-19 and people who are at risk limit contact with companion and other animals. When handling and caring for animals, basic hygiene measures should always be implemented. This includes hand washing after handling animals, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking or sharing food.

WHO continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID-19 topics and will update as new findings are available

The most important thing to know about coronavirus on surfaces is that they can easily be cleaned with common household disinfectants that will kill the virus. Studies have shown that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, less than 4 hours on copper and less than 24 hours on cardboard.

As, always clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

When grocery shopping, keep at least 1-metre distance from others and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. If possible, sanitize the handles of shopping trolleys or baskets before shopping. Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased products.

There is currently no confirmed case of COVID-19 transmitted through food or food packaging.

Fruits and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. Wash them the same way you should do under any circumstance: before handling them, wash your hands with soap and water. Then, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water, especially if you eat them raw.

No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. In hospitals physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections which can be a complication of COVID-19 in severely ill patients. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.

While initial investigations suggest the virus may be present in faeces in some cases, to date, there have not been reports of faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, there is no evidence to date on the survival of the COVID-19 virus in water or sewage.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings on this topic.

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Coronavirus has claimed more than 156,000 lives and infected nearly 2.3 million people around the world.

Among them is UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is now recuperating after being treated in hospital for Covid-19.

What are the coronavirus symptoms?

Coronavirus infects the lungs. The two main symptoms are a fever or a dry cough, which can sometimes lead to breathing problems.

The cough to look out for is a new, continuous cough. This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or having three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

You have a fever if your temperature is above 37.8C. This can make you feel warm, cold or shivery.

A sore throat, headache and diarrhoea have also been reported and a loss of smell and taste may also be a symptom.

It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, but some people will get them much later. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.

On 18 April, the US's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its list of symptoms to look out for, to include:

• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Previously it only detailed a fever, cough and shortness of breath.

When do people need to go to hospital?

The majority of people with coronavirus will recover after rest and pain relief (such as paracetamol).

The main reason people need hospital treatment is difficulty breathing.

Doctors may scan the lungs to see how badly they are affected and give support, such as oxygen or ventilation, if needed.

However, people should not go to A&E if they are concerned. In the UK, the NHS 111 website will guide you through what to do.

If you are so breathless that you are unable to speak more than a few words you will be told to call 999, as this is a medical emergency.

If you become so ill that you've stopped doing all of your usual daily activities then it will advise speaking to a nurse by dialling NHS 111.

What happens in intensive care?

Intensive care units (ICUs) are specialist wards for people who are very ill.

Coronavirus patients will get oxygen support, which can involve using a facemask, or a tube in the nose.

The most invasive way - for the most seriously ill patients - is ventilation where air, with increased levels of oxygen, is pushed into the lungs via a tube in the mouth, nose or through a small cut in the throat.

What should I do if I have mild symptoms?

People are advised not to ring NHS 111 to report their symptoms unless they are worried. They should also not go to their GP, or A&E.

Details for Scotland are to check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In Wales call NHS 111, and in Northern Ireland, call your GP.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate.

How deadly is coronavirus?

The proportion dying from the disease appears low (between 1% and 2%) - but the figures are unreliable.

Thousands are being treated but may go on to die - so the death rate could be higher. But it may also be lower if lots of mild cases are unreported.

A World Health Organization (WHO) examination of data from 56,000 patients suggests:

• 6% become critically ill - lung failure, septic shock, organ failure and risk of death
• 14% develop severe symptoms - difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
• 80% develop mild symptoms - fever and cough and some may have pneumonia

Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.

What do I need to know about the coronavirus?

• EASY STEPS: What can I do?
• CONTAINMENT: What it means to self-isolate
• UK LATEST: What's the UK's plan and what could happen next?
• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak
• VIDEO: The 20-second hand wash

How do I protect myself?

The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water.

Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, then your eyes, nose or mouth.

So, coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are important.

People will be most infectious when they have symptoms, but some may spread the virus even before they are sick.

This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience's questions about coronavirus. Details of how to get in touch are below.

What questions do you have about the coronavirus?

In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.

There are currently no registered medicines available to treat COVID-19. For patients who are admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with severe symptoms of the illness, drug treatment options are discussed based on currently available information. See the preliminary advice Drug Treatment options for patients with COVID-19 provided by the Stichting Werkgroep Antibiotica Beleid (SWAB).

This is difficult to predict. Great efforts are being made in laboratories is various countries to find a vaccine for this novel coronavirus. Nevertheless, it will take some time before the vaccine is available, and it will certainly not become available within the coming months. Once a vaccine has been found, it will have to be tested to ensure that it won’t cause unacceptable side-effects.

This is currently being investigated by the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, together with the Sanquin Blood Bank and 15 other hospitals. According to South Korean doctors, two patients with severe symptoms were cured after being given blood plasma from cured corona patients. This is possible, because protective antibodies can often be found in your blood when you have recovered from an infection. We may be able to use antibodies as a treatment for other patients. However, the effectiveness of this method is as yet uncertain. The first results are expected in a few months time.

To combat the outbreak of a virus, information is required in order to organise the necessary healthcare and to put the appropriate measures into place. You need to know how many people are likely to become ill, how many will be hospitalised, and how many could die. We calculate very many different possibilities because there are so many uncertainties. This is called modelling. As an increasing amount of information is gathered, some possibilities will be disregarded. The remaining calculations provide a more reliable picture. The more we know about the virus and how it is spreading, the better the calculations will reflect the reality. Read more about modelling.

There is (as yet) no medication available to combat the novel coronavirus. Paracetamol and ibuprofen will not cure the virus, but can help to reduce complaints, such as fever, sore throat and malaise. There is no proof that the use of paracetamol or ibuprofen (or diclofenac or naproxen, so-called NSAIDs) will make the illness caused by the virus worse. The preferred choice is paracetamol, because it has the fewest side-effects.

There is no specific treatment available to combat the novel coronavirus. The treatment of severely ill people focuses on treating the symptoms. The doctors can, for example, provide oxygen to patients with breathing difficulties. Clinical studies are being carried out with various medicines, such as chloroquine, a medicine that is prescribed for malaria. There are some indications that chloroquine helps with the treatment of COVID-19, but this still needs to be scientifically verified (proven). Because of the risks of serious side effects, chloroquine is only used in the hospital and under strict conditions.

There is (as yet) no evidence that the BCG (Bacille Calmette Guérin) vaccine that works against tuberculosis will also work against coronaviruses. Research is due to start soon into the efficacy of the vaccine against COVID-19. At this moment, it is therefore not advisable to vaccinate vulnerable people and health workers with the BGC-vaccine.

Questions about the Dutch approach

The Dutch COVID-19 policy aims towards keeping the health system in operation while protecting vulnerable groups in society. The government of the Netherlands has taken far-reaching measures to prevent further spreading of the coronavirus. However, there is no measure yet that can make the virus disappear in the near future. Most people infected with the coronavirus recover. According to WHO, people show antibodies in their blood for at least a month after recovery. This means that in the Netherlands immunity against corona is being built up. This is not a goal in itself, but a result of the fact that the virus is present in the Netherlands. One of the effects is that gradually more people become immune to the virus, which will eventually lead to herd immunity, as is the case for other viral infections. As we are dealing with a newly emerged virus, WHO correctly states that there is no certainty about the development of immunity against COVID-19, or about how long this immunity will last. More information about this will become available soon. The Netherlands will keep on adapting its policy, based on the latest findings.

RIVM has guidelines and scenarios for responding to an epidemic based on scientific insights. These documents are drawn up to ensure that the Netherlands is as prepared as possible for any outbreaks of serious diseases. View all measures to combat the novel coronavirus in the Netherlands on government.nl.

In the Netherlands, one of our main priorities is to ensure that the hospitals, nursing homes and home care services are not overwhelmed, so there is always enough capacity in our healthcare system. In addition, we want to protect vulnerable groups. Various approaches have been considered for how our country can respond to the spread of the virus. Read more about these scenarios.

Various approaches have been considered for how our country can respond to the spread of the virus. These scenarios vary from complete nation-wide lockdown to the other extreme: allowing the virus to run its course. Read more about these scenarios.

A targeted lock-down is a measure aimed at keeping as many people as possible at home. If you have health problems, you should stay at home until you are symptom-free for 24 hours. If you have more severe symptoms, such as a fever, coughing or difficulty with breathing, the whole family / all housemates should stay at home as a precaution. With a total lock-down, both social and economic life is at a standstill, and the freedom of movement of all residents is limited. Read more about staying at home on government.nl.

A complete ban on going outdoors is not always the best solution. Indeed, the novel coronavirus will not be able to spread as quickly, but no one will be able to build up immunity against the disease either. Since the disease is spread globally, there is a good chance that, after lifting a lock-down, many people will become ill at the same time in a short period. This will cause a peak load of infections. With a lock-down, you mainly postpone the moment that many people become ill at the same time, and we do not want that. Read more about the three scenarios to combat the spread in our country.

The novel coronavirus is spreading from human to human. If there are fewer places where many people gather, the disease can spread less rapidly. For this reason, RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) previously advised the cancellation of major events. Closing down other venues such as bars, restaurants and sport clubs further reduces the chance of the virus being transmitted.

The measures introduced on 12 and 15 March aim to prevent the spread of the disease. These measures can help to maintain sufficient capacity in the hospitals. If many patients become ill at the same time, there may not be enough capacity to admit seriously ill patients to the intensive care unit.

People are admitted to Intensive Care if they require medical assistance to help them breathe. Importantly here: the older you are, the more serious the repercussions for your health. Before admitting a patient to Intensive Care, doctors will discuss their survival chances with them and the expected quality of life after ventilation in an Intensive Care unit. Following a consultation with their doctor, some patients may choose not to receive treatment in hospital or to be placed on a ventilator.

This is currently unknown. There is an obligation to report all cases of people who have recovered from this illness. If someone has had no symptoms for 24 hours, they are considered cured.