General Information
First reported in China in 2019, COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus in the coronavirus family. This same family includes the viruses that cause the common cold, but it can be far more serious.
COVID-19 is transmitted through the air in respiratory droplets when affected individuals cough, sneeze, talk, sing, or breathe, and is thought to spread mainly through close personal contact between people who are less than six feet apart. However, there is also evidence of airborne transmission among people who are more than six feet apart or after an infected person has left a particular space.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of infection include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
People who are infected but do not show any of these symptoms can also spread the virus to others.
Prevention
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Take the following steps to avoid or limit exposure to COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often (for at least 20 seconds) or use hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed or unsanitized hands.
- Avoid close contact, both in your home with sick family members and outside the home, by maintaining a distance of at least six feet (two meters).
- Cover your nose and mouth with a mask when around others and avoid touching it.
- Cover coughs and sneezes and wash your hands immediately.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
- Monitor your health.
Treatment
Mild cases can be treated by self-isolating and letting the virus run its course, accompanied by regular monitoring of signs and symptoms. However, it is important to seek medical attention immediately if any of the following emergency warning signs develops (cdc.gov):
- trouble breathing
- persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- new confusion
- inability to wake or stay awake
- bluish lips or face
People who are at increased risk of severe illness include older adults and those with medical conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart conditions, weakened immune systems from organ transplants, obesity, sickle cell disease, and type II diabetes. Smokers are also at increased risk
This site is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.