Overview Of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
COVID‑19 is a respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus that can be spread from person to person. COVID‑19 is short for “coronavirus disease 2019.”
The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
● People are most contagious when they are the sickest. But those who don’t have a lot of symptoms can still pass the virus on to others.
● There is currently no vaccine or cure for COVID‑19 but researchers are working to find one.
Cause Of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is an illness caused by a virus. This virus is a new coronavirus that has spread throughout the world. It is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person.
Symptoms Of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
What you need to know:
● Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
● Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
● 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
This list does not include all possible symptoms.
Treatment Of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Most people who become ill with COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. No specific treatments for COVID-19 exist right now. But some of the same things you do to feel better if you have the flu — getting enough rest, staying well hydrated, and taking medications to relieve fever and aches and pains — also help with COVID-19.
In the meantime, scientists are working hard to develop effective treatments. Therapies that are under investigation include drugs that have been used to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases; antiviral drugs that were developed for other viruses, and antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19.
Other
What is the difference between Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19?
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, but there are some key differences between the two.
While more is learned every day, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it. This page compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date.
How to Protect Yourself & Others
Know how it spreads:
● There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
● The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
● The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
○ Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
○ Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
○ These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
○ Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
● Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
● It’s especially important to wash:
○ Before eating or preparing food
○ Before touching your face
○ After using the restroom
○ After leaving a public place
○ After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
○ After handling your mask
○ After changing a diaper
○ After caring for someone sick
○ After touching animals or pets
● If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
● Avoid close contact
● Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
○ If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
● Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
○ Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
○ Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
○ Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
○ Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
● You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
● The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
● Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
○ Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
● Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
● Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
● Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
● Throw used tissues in the trash.
● Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
● Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
● If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
● Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants
● Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
○ Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
● Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
○ Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.
While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19 there are many important benefits, such as:
1. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
2. Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.
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