An
outbreak of the coronavirus (now called COVID-19) in China is causing global
concern. It came from a seafood and meat market in Wuhan, China, in December.
It has since spread to other countries, including the United States.
Practice social distancing. Avoid people who are sick or meeting in large groups. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your upper sleeve or elbow. Do not cough into your hands.
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Symptoms of a coronavirus usually go away on their own. If symptoms feel worse than a common cold, contact your doctor. He or she may prescribe pain or fever medication. The FDA is currently advising people to be cautious of websites and stores selling products that claim to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19. Additionally, do not take any form of chloroquine unless it has been prescribed for you by your family doctor and purchased from a legitimate source.
When possible, avoid contact with others when you are sick. It is also possible to spread the virus if you don’t have symptoms. The CDC now recommends that everyone wear a cloth mask in public to prevent spreading the virus. It should cover your mouth and nose. Continue to keep 6 feet between you and others.
Despite
Wuhan and other Chinese cities being quarantined, the COVID-19 has spread to
almost 70 locations internationally. In the U.S., COVID-19 cases have been
confirmed and deaths have been reported.
What is a
coronavirus?
|
A
coronavirus is a virus that is found in animals and, rarely, can be transmitted
from animals to humans and then spread person to person. In addition to
COVID-19, other human coronaviruses have included:
- The
MERS virus, or Middle East respiratory syndrome.
- The
SARS virus, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, which first occurred in
the Guangdong province in southern China.
What are the
symptoms of a coronavirus?
|
COVID-19
symptoms range from mild to severe. It takes 2-14 days after exposure for
symptoms to develop. Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness
of breath
Those
with weakened immune systems may develop more serious symptoms, like pneumonia
or bronchitis. You may never develop symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19.
So far, most confirmed cases are in adults, but some children have been
infected. There is no evidence that children are at greater risk for getting
the virus.
What causes a
coronavirus infection?
|
Humans
first get a coronavirus from contact with animals. Then, it can spread from
human to human. Health officials do not know what animal caused COVID-19.
The
COVID-19 virus can be spread through contact with certain bodily fluids, such
as droplets in a cough. It might also be caused by touching something an
infected person has touched and then touching your hand to your mouth, nose, or
eyes.
How is a
coronavirus diagnosed?
|
If
you believe you have COVID-19, you should contact your family doctor
immediately. Before going to the doctor’s office, call with your concerns. This
will allow the office to collect information and offer you guidance on next
steps. To diagnose you, your doctor may run tests to rule out other common
infections. In some cases, your doctor may suggest you self-isolate to prevent
the spread of infection. The FDA has also seen unauthorized fraudulent test
kits for COVID-19 being sold online. Currently, the only way to be tested for
COVID-19 is to talk to your family doctor.
Can a coronavirus
be prevented or avoided?
|
Practice social distancing. Avoid people who are sick or meeting in large groups. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your upper sleeve or elbow. Do not cough into your hands.
Wash
your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after
going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or
sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water
if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Coronavirus
treatment
|
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Symptoms of a coronavirus usually go away on their own. If symptoms feel worse than a common cold, contact your doctor. He or she may prescribe pain or fever medication. The FDA is currently advising people to be cautious of websites and stores selling products that claim to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19. Additionally, do not take any form of chloroquine unless it has been prescribed for you by your family doctor and purchased from a legitimate source.
As
with a cold or the flu, drink fluids and get plenty of rest. If you are having
trouble breathing, seek immediate medical care.
Living with a
coronavirus
|
When possible, avoid contact with others when you are sick. It is also possible to spread the virus if you don’t have symptoms. The CDC now recommends that everyone wear a cloth mask in public to prevent spreading the virus. It should cover your mouth and nose. Continue to keep 6 feet between you and others.
Questions to
ask your doctor
|
- What can I do to prevent my
friends and family from getting the COVID-19?
- What over-the-counter medicines
work best for my symptoms?
- Am I at risk of complications
because of COVID-19?
- What should I watch for that
could mean there are complications?
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