COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) is an infection that is caused by a large family of viruses. Some viruses cause illness in people and others cause illness in animals like camels, cats, and bats. In some cases, the viruses that cause illness in animals can spread to humans.
Where did the coronavirus come from?
In December 2019, China told the World Health Organization (WHO) of several cases of lung disease (human respiratory illness). These cases were linked to an open seafood and livestock market in the city of Wuhan. The link to the seafood and livestock market suggests that the virus may have spread from animals to humans. However, since that first outbreak in December, the virus has also been shown to spread from person to person.
What is the name of the disease and the virus?
Disease name
Early on, this disease was called novel coronavirus. This is because scientists determined that the disease was caused by a new (novel) respiratory virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now named the disease COVID-19, or coronavirus disease.
Virus name
The virus that causes the disease is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Who is at risk for complications from coronavirus disease?
Some people may be at higher risk for complications from coronavirus disease. This includes older adults and people who have chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
If you are at higher risk for complications, take these extra precautions:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have a fever or cough. Stay at least 3–6 ft (1–2 m) away from them, if possible.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Keep supplies on hand at home, such as food, medicine, and cleaning supplies.
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Avoid social gatherings and travel.
How does coronavirus disease spread?
The virus that causes corona virus disease spreads easily from person to person (is contagious). There are also cases of community-spread disease. This means the disease has spread to:
- People who have no known contact with other infected people.
- People who have not traveled to areas where there are known cases.
It appears to spread from one person to another through droplets from coughing or sneezing.
Can i get the virus from touching surfaces or objects?
There is still a lot that we do not know about the virus that causes coronavirus disease. Scientists are basing a lot of information on what they know about similar viruses, such as:
- Viruses cannot generally survive on surfaces for long. They need a human body (host) to survive.
- It is more likely that the virus is spread by close contact with people who are sick (direct contact), such as through:
- Shaking hands or hugging.
- Breathing in respiratory droplets that travel through the air. This can happen when an infected person coughs or sneezes on or near other people.
- It is less likely that the virus is spread when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it (indirect contact). The virus may be able to enter the body if the person touches a surface or object and then touches his or her face, eyes, nose, or mouth.
Can a person spread the virus without having symptoms of the disease?
It may be possible for the virus to spread before a person has symptoms of the disease, but this is most likely not the main way the virus is spreading. It is more likely for the virus to spread by being in close contact with people who are sick and breathing in the respiratory droplets of a sick person's cough or sneeze.
What are the symptoms of corona virus disease?
Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Tiredness, weakness, or fatigue.
- Fast breathing or feeling short of breath.
These symptoms can appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after you have been exposed to the virus. If you develop symptoms, call your health care provider. People with severe symptoms may need hospital care.
If i am exposed to the virus, how long does it take before symptoms start?
Symptoms of coronavirus disease may appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after a person has been exposed to the virus. If you develop symptoms, call your health care provider.
Should i be tested for this virus?
Your health care provider will decide whether to test you based on your symptoms, history of exposure, and your risk factors.
How does a health care provider test for this virus?
Health care providers will collect samples to send for testing. Samples may include:
- Taking a swab of fluid from the nose.
- Taking fluid from the lungs by having you cough up mucus (sputum) into a sterile cup.
- Taking a blood sample.
- Taking a stool or urine sample.
Is there a treatment or vaccine for this virus?
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease. Also, there are no medicines like antibiotics or antivirals to treat the virus. A person who becomes sick is given supportive care, which means rest and fluids. A person may also relieve his or her symptoms by using over-the-counter medicines that treat sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. These are the same medicines that a person takes for the common cold.
If you develop symptoms, call your health care provider. People with severe symptoms may need hospital care.
What can i do to protect myself and my family from this virus?
You can protect yourself and your family by taking the same actions that you would take to prevent the spread of other viruses. Take the following actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue, sleeve, or elbow. Do not cough or sneeze into your hand or the air.
- If you cough or sneeze into a tissue, throw it away immediately and wash your hands.
- Disinfect objects and surfaces that you frequently touch every day.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have a fever or cough. Stay at least 3–6 ft (1–2 m) away from them, if possible.
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Call your health care provider before you get medical care.
- Make sure your vaccines are up to date. Ask your health care provider what vaccines you need.
What should i do if i need to travel?
Follow travel recommendations from your local health authority, the CDC, and WHO.
Travel information and advice
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- World Health Organization (WHO):
- Know the risks and take action to protect your health
- You are at higher risk of getting coronavirus disease if you are traveling to areas with an outbreak or if you are exposed to travelers from areas with an outbreak.
- Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene to lower the risk of catching or spreading the virus.
What should i do if i am sick?
General instructions to stop the spread of infection
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue, sleeve, or elbow. Do not cough or sneeze into your hand or the air.
- If you cough or sneeze into a tissue, throw it away immediately and wash your hands.
- Stay home unless you must get medical care. Call your health care provider or local health authority before you get medical care.
- Avoid public areas. Do not take public transportation, if possible.
- If you can, wear a mask if you must go out of the house or if you are in close contact with someone who is not sick.
Keep your home clean
- Disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched every day. This may include:
- Counters and tables.
- Doorknobs and light switches.
- Sinks and faucets.
- Electronics such as phones, remote controls, keyboards, computers, and tablets.
- Wash dishes in hot, soapy water or use a dishwasher. Air-dry your dishes.
- Wash laundry in hot water.
- Prevent infecting other household members
- Let healthy household members care for children and pets, if possible. If you have to care for children or pets, wash your hands often and wear a mask.
- Sleep in a different bedroom or bed, if possible.
- Do not share personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs, brushes, towels, and washcloths.
Where To Find More Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Information and news updates:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Information and news updates: Coronavirus health topic:
- Questions and answers on COVID-19:
- Global tracker:
When should i contact a health care provider?
- Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever or cough, and you:
- Have been near anyone who is known to have coronavirus disease.
- Have come into contact with a person who is suspected to have coronavirus disease.
- Have traveled outside of the country.
When should i get emergency medical care?
Get help right away by calling your local emergency services if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Pain or pressure in your chest.
- Confusion.
- Blue-tinged lips and fingernails.
- Difficulty waking from sleep.
- Symptoms that get worse.
Let the emergency medical personnel know if you think you have coronavirus disease.
Summary
- A new respiratory virus is spreading from person to person and causing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease).
- The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread easily. It spreads from one person to another through droplets from coughing or sneezing.
- Older adults and those with chronic diseases are at higher risk of disease. If you are at higher risk for complications, take extra precautions.
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease. There are no medicines, such as antibiotics or antivirals, to treat the virus.
- You can protect yourself and your family by washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face, and covering your coughs and sneezes.
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