The new coronavirus epidemic that started in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019 is now in dozens of countries.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms of COVID-19, the disease the new coronavirus causes, may include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
Symptoms may appear in as little as 2 days and as long as 14 days after you’re exposed to the virus.
Is the coronavirus seasonal, like the flu?
Will the coronavirus die out once warmer weather hits? It is possible, but they do not know enough about the virus yet to know for sure.
Most respiratory viruses, like the flu, are seasonal. Coronavirus may behave like the flu and we shall see cases go down in spring and summer. But it is premature to assume that.
How is coronavirus diagnosed?
If you believe you may have COVID-19, call your doctor’s office before you go. Alert them to the situation so they can prepare for your arrival. Do not just go to an emergency room without calling first.
How does coronavirus spread?
Because COVID-19 is new, there remain many unanswered questions about how it spreads. But experts believe:
• The virus may spread from person to person, between people who are within about 2 meters of each other, and through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• It spreads from contact with infected surfaces. Touching a surface or object that has the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes is one way it may spread, although it is not believed to be the main way of spreading the virus.
• It may spread before people have symptoms.
• It is not airborne, so you can’t catch it from breathing.
• It spreads easily. Not all viruses do, but COVID-19 spreads “easily and sustainably in the community”.
Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?
Not yet. And any working vaccine is at least a year away. But several research universities and drug companies are working on it. At least one possible vaccine is ready for phase I human trials.
How is coronavirus treated?
There is no drug treatment yet, and antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections.
Experts recommend treating symptoms:
• Try ibuprofen for pain and fever;
• Get rest;
• and drink plenty of water.
• People with more serious cases need to be in the hospital, where they may need help with breathing and other support.
Is coronavirus worse than the flu?
Some key differences:
• COVID-19 doesn’t seem to spread as efficiently as the flu.
• people get sicker from COVID-19.
• Many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, but COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity. That means more people are susceptible to infection.
How long does this coronavirus live on surfaces or outside of the body?
Studies have shown that COVID-19 may last for a few hours or several days on surfaces. It depends on temperature, the kind of surface, and humidity. Using a simple disinfectant on all reachable surfaces is a good idea.
How can you prevent and avoid coronavirus?
Three words offer the best advice: Wash Your Hands.
– Wash them for at least 20 seconds each time.
– Wash them before you prepare food, eat, after use of the bathroom, if you cough or sneeze, and if you are caring for sick people.
– If you don’t have soap and water, use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Otherwise:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow, or cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw the tissue into the trash.
• Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces with a disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe.