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Facts about SARS CoV-2 and how to prevent infection

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HARTMANN have been following the recent development regarding the outbreak of SARS CoV-2. Authorities worldwide established extensive measures to prevent a further spread. It is important to take the outbreak and its potential consequences seriously. But it’s just as important to keep calm and look at the scientific facts at hand.

What are coronaviruses

Coronaviruses belong to the family of Coronaviridae. These enveloped viruses may cause respiratory tract infections, such as colds, bronchitis or pneumonia and gastrointestinal infections.

In December 2019, several cases of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) were reported in Wuhan City (China). The disease is called Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19). Further important representatives within the family of Coronaviridae are: SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus).

Hygiene measures can considerably reduce the risk of infection with coronaviruses. One crucial element of infection prevention is a consequent basic hygiene including hand disinfection and
surface disinfection.

What symptoms does a coronavirus infection have?

Coronaviruses may cause respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold or gastrointestinal infections. Symptoms include fever, headache, runny nose or cough. But some coronaviruses may also cause severe lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchitis which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Which disinfectants can be used?

Focus on basic hygiene measurements in general. Always use disinfectants with an efficacy against enveloped viruses.HARTMANN disinfection products for hands (Sterillium range), skin (Cutasept range), surface (Bacillol range, Kohrsolin range, Mikrobac range, Dismozon range) and instruments (Bomix plus, Korsolex range) fulfil the requirements and can be used. For terminal disinfection peroxide-based products (Dismozon range) should be used.

Basic measures

Follow these measures to prevent infections of yourself and others

 

Carry out basic hygiene measures – especially good hand hygiene

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Maintain physical distances

Carry out respiratory hygiene and cover your mouth and nose with you elbow when coughing or sneezing

Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19

Stay at home when having respiratory symptoms or fever

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All you want to know about the new Coronavirus (SARS CoV-2)

 

Coronaviruses like SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are primarily transmitted via droplet infection. This transmission can take place directly from individual to individual when droplets containing the virus reach the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Transmission by way of smear infection via the hands, as with influenza for example, is also not ruled out in principle.

You can find more information at:

https://www.rki.de/EN/Home/homepage_node.html
https://www.infektionsschutz.de/coronavirus-sars-cov-2.html#c11964 
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2 can be deactivated with alcohol-based disinfectants. All BODE disinfectants for hands (Sterillium® products), distributed by HARTMANN, are effective against SARS-CoV-2.

Just like the other coronaviruses, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped virus. Disinfectants with at least the activity spectrum virucidal against enveloped viruses are effective against enveloped viruses. Generally, all products with the activity spectrum virucidal against enveloped viruses, virucidal against enveloped viruses PLUS and virucidal can be used.

Disinfectants that are effective against enveloped viruses should be used to inactivate coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV und MERS-CoV.

BODE disinfectants for hands (Sterillium® products), surfaces (Bacillol® products, Kohrsolin® products, Mikrobac® products, Dismozon® products) and instruments (Bomix® plus, Korsolex® products), distributed by HARTMANN, meet the requirements for virucidal activity against enveloped viruses and can be used.

Generally, all products with the activity spectrum virucidal against enveloped viruses, virucidal against enveloped viruses PLUS and virucidal can be used. The recommended contact times must be observed due to the different purposes.

You can find more information on BODE disinfectants here.

Products may only be used until the printed expiry date.

Please also observe the respective shelf life after opening a product at:

https://produktkatalog.bode-chemie.de/produkte/download/Haltbarkeit_Anbruchgebinde.pdf

Our hand disinfectants have not been tested on children's skin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for an individual assessment in this regard.

We generally recommend event-related hand hygiene, e.g. after contact with infected individuals, or after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. With hand hygiene, it is important to moisten your hands completely for 30 seconds and to not forget your fingertips.

WHO recommends the use of alcohol-based hand disinfectants or regular and thorough hand washing, also in relation to the outbreak of the coronavirus. In addition, you should avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and protect against infection by coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm (coughing and sneezing etiquette) as well as keeping your distance from infected individuals.

Also read:
https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/NCOV2019/FAQ_Liste.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

The five moments of hand hygiene:
https://www.bode-science-center.de/haendehygiene/haendedesinfektion/detail-haendehygiene/article/die-fuenf-momente-der-haendehygiene.html

Hand disinfection at home:
https://www.bode-science-center.de/haendehygiene/haendedesinfektion/detail-haendehygiene/article/haendedesinfektion-im-privaten-umfeld-liegt-es-auf-der-hand-warum-ist-haendedesinfektion-wichti.html

Visibly soiled hands should always be washed, especially after going to the toilet. A general combination of hand disinfection and washing does not achieve an additional effect and may damage the skin's barrier. Our hand disinfectants contain lipid replenishers and skin care substances that can remain on the skin without any problems.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a suspected case is when

  • acute respiratory symptoms exist with or without fever and the individual has visited a risk area in the past 14 days or
  • general non-specific symptoms or acute respiratory symptoms exist and there has been contact with a person infected with SARS-CoV-2.

If symptoms occur without staying in a risk area or without contact with an infected person, a test should only be considered if

  • acute respiratory symptoms exist with or without fever and the individual has visited a region with COVID-19 cases (not a risk area) in the past 14 days or
  • clinical or radiological evidence of viral pneumonia exists without an alternative diagnosis.

In all other cases, a test is not necessary.


In general, experts warn against ignoring the flu in addition to the coronavirus. With around 3.8 million doctor's visits in the winter of 2018/2019 and 18,000 infected individuals that were treated in hospitals, the flu is far more widespread in Germany.

You can find a list of the current risk areas here.

Generally, the same measures that apply to the prevention of any respiratory virus are recommended: good hand hygiene, frequent hand washing (with soap for 20 seconds), alternatively the use of alcohol-based hand disinfectants that are effective against enveloped viruses, good coughing and sneezing etiquette as well as keeping a distance from infected individuals.