Publication date: March 18, 2020


THE ORGANISMS WE CANNOT SEE BUT WHICH WE FEAR…

THE STORY OF TWO VIRUSES AND ONE BACTERIUM

Coronavirus is a hot topic because it represents the threat of the unknown. But what about those other pathogens we tend to watch as they spread and, since they’re old news, we pay them no mind?

Here we will compare these 3 microscopic entities (both the new and the old):



WHO IS WHO?

GET TO KNOW THEM (CDC, NIH)
CORONAVIRUS 2019-nCoV
February 2020 data
INFLUENZA
February 2020 data
MYCOPLASMA
February 2020 data
**New** 2019 China

History:

Other coronaviruses that made the news SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) year: 2020
MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) year 2012

64,473 cases worldwide
1,384 deaths (worldometers.info) It is easily contagious and remains alive on surfaces for up to nine days.

Not reported in PR

There is NO vaccine

Treatment research underway
Known for approximately 2,400 years

History:

It has caused historic pandemics Causes yearly flares worldwide (peak season runs from August to March)

22 to 31 million cases in the US in 2019. 12,000 to 30,000 deaths in the US in 2019

In PR, thousands of cases have been reported, and deaths have occurred

There is a vaccine

Treated with antivirals
Reported in 1930; named in 1944

History:

It is common worldwide and may lead to infections throughout the year (peak season runs from summer to early fall)

2 million cases every year in the United States

Flares are currently reported in PR

There is NO vaccine

Treated with antibiotics
SYMPTOMS (CDC, GOV)
Fever
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Runny nose
Sore throat
Fatigue
Fever or chills
Coughing
Headache
Runny or congested nose
Body or muscular pain
Sore throat
Fatigue
Fever
Coughing that gradually grows worse and may last weeks or months
Headache
Pneumonia in 1 out of every 10 cases
PREVENTION (CDC, GOV)
Use a napkin or tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Discard your used napkins or tissues in the trash.
If you don’t have a napkin or tissue at hand, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or the inside of your elbow, NOT INTO YOUR HANDS.
Wash your hands frequently, using water and soap, for at least 20 seconds.
If you don’t have water and soap available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Get your flu vaccine every year.
Stay home if you’re sick.
We all have to do it. It is our duty!
CONOCÉLOS (CDC, NIH)
CORONAVIRUS 2019-nCoV
**New** 2019 China

History:

Other coronaviruses that made the news SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) year: 2020
MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) year 2012

64,473 cases worldwide
1,384 deaths (worldometers.info) It is easily contagious and remains alive on surfaces for up to nine days.

Not reported in PR

There is NO vaccine

Treatment research underway
INFLUENZA
Known for approximately 2,400 years

History:

It has caused historic pandemics Causes yearly flares worldwide (peak season runs from August to March)

22 to 31 million cases in the US in 2019. 12,000 to 30,000 deaths in the US in 2019

In PR, thousands of cases have been reported, and deaths have occurred

There is a vaccine

Treated with antivirals
MYCOPLASMA
Reported in 1930; named in 1944

History:

It is common worldwide and may lead to infections throughout the year (peak season runs from summer to early fall)

2 million cases every year in the United States

Flares are currently reported in PR

There is NO vaccine

Treated with antibiotics
SYMPTOMS (CDC, GOV)
CORONAVIRUS 2019-nCoV
Fever
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Runny nose
INFLUENZA
Sore throat
Fatigue
Fever or chills
Coughing
Headache
Runny or congested nose
Body or muscular pain
MYCOPLASMA
Sore throat
Fatigue
Fever
Coughing that gradually grows worse and may last weeks or months
Headache
Pneumonia in 1 out of every 10 cases
PREVENCIÓN (CDC, GOV)
Use a napkin or tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Discard your used napkins or tissues in the trash.
If you don’t have a napkin or tissue at hand, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or the inside of your elbow, NOT INTO YOUR HANDS.
Wash your hands frequently, using water and soap, for at least 20 seconds.
If you don’t have water and soap available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Get your flu vaccine every year.
Stay home if you’re sick.
We all have to do it. It is our duty!



PROTOCOL TO HANDLE INFLUENZA AND/OR MYCOPLASMA

IDENTIFY YOUR SYMPTOMS

• Fever
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Headache or body aches
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
GET CLINICAL CARE

• Go to any SALUS clinic or visit your preferred doctor before reporting for work.
• If you’re at the main facilities, please visit Salus @Work
FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S INSTRUCTIONS

• Your doctor will order the necessary tests for diagnosis
• They will issue a certificate for positive cases
• They will prescribe your treatment
DIAGNOSED PATIENT

• Follow your doctor’s instructions
• Don’t return to your workplace
• Notify your supervisor if you were removed due to illness
• Limit your contact with other people and/or use a face mask
• Use a face mask.
• Notify your supervisor.
• Seek medical assistance for diagnosis.
• Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
• Specify how long you’ve had these symptoms.
• Usually, employees with positive results will be removed from their workplace for approximately five (5) days.
• The doctor must certify the date of return.
IDENTIFY YOUR SYMPTOMS

• Fever
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Headache or body aches
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Use a face mask.
• Notify your supervisor.
• Seek medical assistance for diagnosis.
GET CLINICAL CARE

• Go to any SALUS clinic or visit your preferred doctor before reporting for work.
• If you’re at the main facilities, please visit Salus @Work
• Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
• Specify how long you’ve had these symptoms.
FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S INSTRUCTIONS

• Your doctor will order the necessary tests for diagnosis
• They will issue a certificate for positive cases
• They will prescribe your treatment
• Usually, employees with positive results will be removed from their workplace for approximately five (5) days.
• The doctor must certify the date of return.
DIAGNOSED PATIENT

• Follow your doctor’s instructions
• Don’t return to your workplace
• Notify your supervisor if you were removed due to illness
• Limit your contact with other people and/or use a face mask
• Usually, employees with positive results will be removed from their workplace for approximately five (5) days.
• The doctor must certify the date of return.



THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED AS A COURTESY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

We would like to thank our collaborators:

María L. Rodríguez Colón, MD
Strategic Initiatives Medical

Director Yanniris Cajigas Feliciano, MD
Providers Community Medical

Director Elia E. Medero Chacón, MSN
Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

Myra E. Calo Figueroa
Medical Management Advisor



TSS-DEN-1516-2020-A