Coronavirus

COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, emerged late in 2019 and quickly became a global health crisis in 2020. This virus spreads easily through tiny droplets of fluid released into the air when people are close together. Many people infected with COVID-19 don't experience any symptoms or only have mild ones, like a slight fever or cough. However, older adults and people with underlying health problems may get very sick, requiring hospital treatment, or even leading to death.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a crucial way to protect yourself from serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Other important steps to help prevent the spread of the virus include:

• Good air circulation: Making sure indoor spaces have fresh air flowing through can help reduce the virus's presence.
• Physical distancing: Keeping a safe distance from others, especially in crowded areas, can limit exposure.
• Wearing a mask: Wearing a mask in appropriate situations, such as when in close contact with others or in crowded indoor spaces, can help prevent the spread of the virus.
• Good hygiene: Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer, is a simple but effective way to reduce the risk of spreading germs.

Medicines are available to treat COVID-19 and can lessen the severity of the illness. Most people recover fully without lasting problems. However, some people experience symptoms that persist for several months after infection.

COVID-19 Symptoms and Severity

COVID-19, or the coronavirus, typically shows symptoms 2 to 14 days after infection. Common symptoms include:

• Cough: A dry cough is a frequent symptom.
• Breathing Problems: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing can occur.
• Loss of Senses: Some people lose their sense of taste or smell.
• Extreme Tiredness (Fatigue): Feeling very tired is a common symptom.
• Digestive Issues: Stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea can happen.
• Pain: Headaches, body aches, and muscle pain are possible.
• Fever or Chills: A fever or feeling cold may occur.
• Cold-like Symptoms: Congestion, a runny nose, or a sore throat are also possible.

Not everyone experiences all these symptoms. Some people have no symptoms at all, even though they test positive. These people are called asymptomatic. Children are particularly likely to be asymptomatic. Others may develop symptoms later and are considered presymptomatic. Importantly, both asymptomatic and presymptomatic individuals can still spread the virus.

Sometimes, symptoms may worsen 7 to 14 days after they first appear. Most people have mild to moderate symptoms. However, COVID-19 can sometimes lead to serious health problems and even death. Older adults and people with existing health conditions are more vulnerable to serious illness.

The severity of COVID-19 can range from mild to critical:

• Mild: The lungs work normally, and there's no significant oxygen-related problem.
• Moderate: The lungs are still functioning, but signs suggest the infection has spread deep into the lungs.
• Severe: The lungs are not working correctly, and the person needs oxygen or other medical care in a hospital.
• Critical: The respiratory system (lungs and breathing) has failed, and there is damage throughout the body. This is a very serious situation.

In rare cases, COVID-19 can cause a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). If this happens in children, it's called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Adults can also develop MIS (MIS-A).

What to Do:

If you test positive for COVID-19, or have symptoms of the illness, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, contact a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance and support. People at high risk of serious illness may be given medicine to help prevent the virus from spreading in their bodies, or they might need regular checkups.

Seek immediate emergency help if you experience any of these serious symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing: If you can't breathe easily or have trouble breathing.
• Changes in skin color: Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds.
• Confusion: Sudden confusion.
• Problems staying awake or sleeping: Difficulty sleeping or staying awake.
• Persistent chest pain or pressure: Ongoing chest pain or pressure.

This list isn't exhaustive. If you or someone you're caring for has any concerning symptoms, contact medical professionals right away. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any positive COVID-19 test results or symptoms you're experiencing.

If you test positive for COVID-19, talk to your doctor. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been around someone with COVID-19, your doctor can help you. Some people are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. For these people, doctors might prescribe medicine to stop the virus from spreading in their body. Alternatively, your doctor might schedule regular check-ups to monitor your health.

Get immediate emergency help if you experience any of these serious symptoms:

• Trouble breathing: If you can't breathe easily or have problems breathing, call for help right away.
• Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or fingernails: This can be a sign of a serious lack of oxygen in your body.
• Sudden confusion: If you or someone you're caring for suddenly become confused, seek immediate medical attention.
• Difficulty staying awake or waking up: This could indicate a serious health issue.
• Constant chest pain or pressure: This is a very serious symptom and requires immediate medical help.

This list isn't exhaustive. If you or someone you're caring for has any symptoms that concern you, contact a healthcare professional immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or if you're experiencing any symptoms.

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. This virus spreads easily from person to person. Even people who don't have any symptoms of COVID-19 can spread the virus. When someone with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings, tiny droplets containing the virus are released into the air. These droplets can land on someone else's face nearby, like when someone coughs on you. If you're close to someone with COVID-19, or if the air isn't circulating well, you might breathe in these droplets. You could also touch a surface with the virus on it and then touch your face, spreading the infection. It's possible to get COVID-19 more than once. Your body's defense against the virus can weaken over time, making you vulnerable to reinfection. A person could be exposed to so much of the virus that their immune system can't fight it off effectively.

As the virus spreads through a group of people, it makes copies of itself. Sometimes, these copies have slight changes in their genetic code. These changes are called mutations. If the virus mutates in a way that makes previous infections or vaccines less effective, you could get sick again.

The COVID-19 virus can also infect some animals. Cats, dogs, hamsters, and ferrets have been known to get the virus and show symptoms. However, it's not common for people to get COVID-19 from pets.

COVID-19 spreads in various ways, and several factors influence how likely you are to catch it. A major risk is being exposed to someone who has COVID-19, especially if you live with them. Crowded places with poor air circulation also increase your risk, particularly when the virus is actively spreading. This is because the virus particles can linger in the air.

Spending more than 30 minutes in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 significantly raises your risk. "Close contact" includes things like sitting close and talking, or sharing a car or room. However, several things can lessen the risk. For example, good air circulation in a space helps to disperse the virus. How long you're near someone, whether masks are worn, whether someone is showing symptoms, and how close you are to them all play a role.

Catching COVID-19 from a contaminated surface, like a doorknob, isn't very common. While the virus is found in stool, getting COVID-19 from a public bathroom is unusual. The virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. So, staying away from people who are sick and maintaining good hygiene practices are important steps to take to protect yourself.

COVID-19 can cause a range of problems beyond the initial illness. Some people experience long-lasting effects, sometimes for months or even years. This is often called "long COVID," "post-COVID-19," or "long haul COVID-19." It's also sometimes referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).

After getting COVID-19, some people have trouble with their senses. They might lose their sense of taste or smell for a while, or even permanently. Skin problems like rashes or sores can also occur. Breathing problems, including pneumonia, are also possible complications. If you had health conditions before getting COVID-19, they might become worse.

Severe cases of COVID-19 can lead to more serious complications. For example, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) happens when the lungs can't get enough oxygen to the rest of the body's organs. The infection can also cause shock, or problems with the heart. Sometimes, the body's immune system overreacts, causing inflammation throughout the body. Blood clots can form, and there can be damage to the kidneys.

Many people continue to experience symptoms long after their initial illness, or new symptoms may emerge. This is a common part of long COVID. While other infections like the flu and polio can also lead to long-term health issues, researchers are still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19 because it's a relatively new virus. Scientists believe that long COVID can affect people of all levels of illness severity.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 might help reduce the risk of developing long COVID. More research is needed to fully understand the causes and treatment options for this condition.