Coronavirus ​Disease ​2019 ​(COVID-​19)​

What’s COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious illness that almost all typically causes a respiratory sickness. You might hear it known as COVID or coronavirus illness 2019. It is attributable to a virus known as SARS-CoV-2. There are numerous forms of coronavirus. They’re a typical reason for bronchitis. They might typically trigger lung an infection (pneumonia). Signs can vary from delicate to extreme respiratory sickness. These viruses are additionally present in some animals.

Like different viruses, the virus that causes COVID-19 adjustments (mutates) on a regular basis. This results in variants that may simply unfold, together with the Delta and Omicron variants. Variants could trigger milder or extra extreme signs.

COVID-19 info is up to date often. Go to the CDC web site for the most recent info. Or name 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

What causes COVID-19?

The virus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. The unique supply of the virus is unknown. The virus infects individuals and spreads pretty simply. Some individuals who have been contaminated could also be uncertain how or the place they grew to become contaminated. The virus is mostly unfold by means of droplets of fluid that an individual expels into the air by speaking, coughing, singing, or sneezing. In some instances, it could be unfold if you happen to contact a floor with virus on it, akin to a deal with or object, or the pores and skin of an contaminated particular person, after which contact your eyes, nostril, or mouth.

Who’s in danger for COVID-19?

You might be in danger for an infection if you happen to’ve been in shut contact with people who find themselves actively contaminated or sick with this virus. You might be at increased threat in case you are not totally vaccinated and:

What are the signs of COVID-19?

Signs can fluctuate loads from individual to individual. Some individuals haven’t any signs (that is known as asymptomatic). Some individuals have delicate signs, and a few individuals report feeling very sick. Signs could seem 2 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Signs can embrace:

• Fever or chills

• Coughing

• Hassle respiratory

• Sore throat

• Stuffy or runny nostril

• Headache or physique aches

• Tiredness (fatigue)

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach (belly) ache

• New lack of sense of odor or style

• Rash

See the CDC for extra on signs.

How is COVID-19 identified?

Your healthcare supplier will take a look at the chance for COVID-19 in your group and together with your contacts and journey, and can ask about your signs. In case your healthcare supplier thinks you will have the COVID-19 virus, they may counsel testing for the virus. COVID-19 is identified by:

The FDA has approved a COVID-19 breath check. It finds indicators of a SARS-CoV-2 an infection within the breath. The check is finished at suppliers’ places of work, hospitals, and cell testing websites. It isn’t extensively out there presently.

In case your healthcare supplier thinks or confirms that you’ve COVID-19, you will have different checks. These checks could embrace:

• Antibody blood check. Antibody checks will be achieved to seek out out if an individual has lately been contaminated with the virus. The accuracy and availability of antibody checks fluctuate. An antibody check could not be capable of present when you’ve got a present an infection as a result of it may possibly take up to a couple weeks after an infection to make antibodies. Present antibody checks cannot inform whether or not you’re immune from COVID-19 and aren’t permitted to check for immunity.

• Sputum tradition. A small pattern of mucus coughed out of your lungs (sputum) could also be collected when you’ve got a moist cough. It could be checked for the virus or to search for pneumonia.

• Imaging checks. You will have a chest X-ray or CT scan.

How is COVID-19 handled?

When you’ve got COVID-19 and usually tend to get very sick, name your healthcare supplier or search care immediately. There are therapies out there to scale back your threat of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Do not delay calling your supplier or looking for care. Remedy should be began inside 5 to 7 days after you first develop signs.

Different care is aimed toward serving to your physique whereas it fights the virus. This is called supportive care. Supportive care could embrace:

• Getting relaxation. This helps your physique combat the sickness.

• Staying hydrated. Consuming liquids is the easiest way to stop dehydration. Attempt to drink 6 to eight glasses of liquids each day, or as suggested by your supplier. Additionally test together with your supplier about which fluids are greatest for you. Do not drink fluids that comprise caffeine or alcohol.

• Taking up-the-counter (OTC) ache medication. These are used to assist ease ache and scale back fever. Observe your healthcare supplier’s directions for which OTC medication to make use of.

For extreme sickness, you might want to remain within the hospital. Care throughout extreme sickness could embrace:

• IV (intravenous) fluids. These are given by means of a vein to assist preserve your physique hydrated.

• Oxygen. Supplemental oxygen or air flow with a respiratory machine (ventilator) could also be given. That is achieved so that you get sufficient oxygen in your physique.

• Susceptible positioning. Relying on how sick you’re throughout your hospital keep, your healthcare crew could flip you often in your abdomen. That is known as susceptible positioning. It is achieved to assist enhance the quantity of oxygen you get to your lungs. Observe your healthcare crew’s directions on place adjustments when you’re within the hospital. Additionally comply with their discharge recommendation on one of the best positions to assist your respiratory when you go residence.

• Steroids and different anti-inflammatory medicines. These are used to deal with the extraordinary irritation that may happen with COVID-19. This irritation is a serious reason for progressive respiratory signs, kidney failure and dying.

• Monoclonal antibodies. These have been as soon as used for earlier COVID-19 strains, however monoclonal antibody remedy just isn’t efficient for the Omicron strains. Discuss together with your supplier to be taught extra.

• COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Plasma is the liquid a part of blood. Individuals who had COVID-19 could also be requested to donate plasma. That is known as COVID-19 convalescent plasma. The plasma could have antibodies. Some individuals with COVID-19 and a really weak immune system could profit from this remedy. Convalescent plasma was given extra typically throughout the top of the COVID-19 pandemic and isn’t extensively out there now. Your supplier may help resolve if this remedy is best for you.

What are attainable problems of COVID-19?

The virus may cause an infection within the lungs or kidneys. It could additionally trigger coronary heart illness, mind and spinal signs, and different problems. In some instances, this could trigger dying, particularly in older adults and individuals who have severe well being circumstances akin to coronary heart or lung illness or diabetes. Many individuals have ongoing fatigue, shortness of breath, racing coronary heart, lack of urge for food or change of style or odor after COVID-19, and these can persist for weeks, months, or longer.

Not often, some kids have developed extreme problems known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in kids (MIS-C). MIS-C appears to be just like Kawasaki illness, a uncommon situation inflicting irritation of blood vessels and physique organs. MIS may happen in adults, however much less incessantly than that seen in kids. The CDC advises healthcare suppliers to report back to native well being departments any particular person underneath age 21 years outdated who’s in poor health sufficient to be within the hospital and has the entire following:

• A fever over 100.4°F (38.0°C) for greater than 24 hours and a constructive SARS-CoV-2 check or publicity to the virus within the final 4 weeks

• Irritation in at the least 2 organs akin to the guts, lungs, or kidneys with lab checks that present irritation

• No different diagnoses in addition to COVID-19 clarify the kid’s signs

What can I do to stop COVID-19?

The most effective prevention is to haven’t any contact with the virus. Observe security recommendation from the CDC and your native space, akin to conserving bodily distance, carrying masks as suggested, utilizing good hand hygiene, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

How you can handle COVID-19

If you happen to’ve been identified with COVID-19:

• Keep residence. Don’t depart your property except it’s essential to get medical care. Do not go to work, college, or public areas. Do not use public transportation or taxis.

• Observe all directions out of your healthcare supplier. Name your healthcare supplier’s workplace earlier than going. They’ll put together and provide you with directions. It will assist stop the virus from spreading.

• Restrict contact with different individuals in your house and haven’t got guests in your home

• Put on a well-fitting face masks. That is to guard different individuals out of your germs. If you’re not capable of put on a masks, your caregivers ought to when you’re in the identical room with them. Put on the masks in order that it covers your nostril, mouth, and chin. Make sure that there isn’t any air flowing from the highest, backside, or sides of your masks.

• Don’t share home items or meals.

• Cowl your face with a tissue if you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away. Then wash your palms.

• Wash your palms typically.

If you’re caring for a sick particular person:

• Observe all directions from healthcare workers.

• Wash your palms typically.

• Put on protecting clothes as suggested.

• Make sure that the sick particular person wears a masks. If they cannot put on a masks, do not stay in the identical room with the particular person. If you happen to should be within the room, put on a face masks. Put on the masks in order that it covers each the nostril and mouth.

• Hold observe of the sick particular person’s signs.

• Clear surfaces, materials, and laundry totally.

• Hold different individuals and pets away from the sick particular person.

When ought to I name my healthcare supplier?

Name your healthcare supplier immediately:

• If you happen to’ve been uncovered to COVID-19 and usually tend to get very sick. There are therapies out there to scale back your threat of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Do not delay calling your supplier or looking for care. Remedy should be began inside 5 to 7 days after you first develop signs.

• When you’ve got been identified with COVID-19 and your signs are worse.

Key factors about COVID-19

• COVID-19 is especially a respiratory sickness however extra extreme instances can contain many elements of the physique.

• It is attributable to a brand new (novel) kind of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. The virus is especially unfold by means of droplets of fluid that an individual coughs or sneezes into the air. It could be unfold if you happen to contact a floor with virus on it, akin to a deal with or object, or the pores and skin of somebody with the an infection, after which contact your eyes, nostril, or mouth.

• The easiest way to guard your self from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and to comply with security precautions. Wash your palms typically and disinfect excessive contact surfaces like door knobs. Monitor for signs of COVID-19. Observe security precautions, together with social distancing and masks necessities. See the CDC’s security precautions.

• Know your group’s COVID-19 Neighborhood Stage and safety tips.

• A number of vaccines can be found to stop COVID-19 in individuals as younger as 6 months of age. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals are suggested to be vaccinated. The vaccines are given as a shot (injection) within the muscle. Doses fluctuate by age and well being standing.

• Signs embrace fever, coughing, and bother respiratory. Some individuals report digestive upset, lack of urge for food, runny nostril, headache and physique aches, chills or repeated shaking with chills, and new lack of style and odor. In some instances, this virus may cause lung an infection (pneumonia).

• When you’ve got COVID-19 and usually tend to get very sick, name your healthcare supplier or search care immediately. There are therapies out there to scale back your threat of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Do not delay calling your supplier or looking for care. Remedy should be began inside 5 to 7 days after you first develop signs.

• If you’re or have been in an space with COVID-19 and have a fever or different signs (even if you happen to’ve been totally vaccinated), keep residence away from different individuals. See the CDC web site about how you can shield your self and others .

Subsequent steps

Ideas that will help you get essentially the most from a go to to your healthcare supplier:

• Know the rationale in your go to and what you need to occur.

• Earlier than your go to, write down questions you need answered.

• Convey somebody with you that will help you ask questions and bear in mind what your supplier tells you.

• On the go to, write down the identify of a brand new analysis, and any new medicines, therapies, or checks. Additionally write down any new directions your supplier offers you.

• Know why a brand new medication or remedy is prescribed, and the way it will enable you to. Additionally know what the unwanted side effects are.

• Ask in case your situation will be handled in different methods.

• Know why a check or process is beneficial and what the outcomes may imply.

• Know what to anticipate if you happen to do not take the drugs or have the check or process.

• When you’ve got a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and function for that go to.

• Know how one can contact your supplier when you’ve got questions.

Date final modified: 3/12/2024