What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness in humans.
They get their name, “corona,” from the many crown-like spikes on the surface of
the virus.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
and the common
cold are examples of coronaviruses that cause illness in humans.
The new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China in
December 2019.
The virus has since spread to all continents (except Antarctica).
Where do coronaviruses come from?
Coronaviruses are often found in bats, cats and camels.
The viruses live in but do not infect the animals.
Sometimes these viruses then spread to different animal species.
The viruses may change (mutate) as they transfer to other species.
Eventually, the virus can jump from animal species and begins to infect humans. In
the case of COVID-19, the first people infected in Wuhan,
China are thought to have contracted the virus at a food market that sold meat,
fish and live animals – but they are still investigating.
Although researchers don’t know exactly how people were infected, they already have
evidence that the virus can be spread directly from person
to person through close contact.
What are the symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection?
The CDC says you may have coronavirus if you have these symptoms or combination of
symptoms:
Fever or chills.
Cough.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Tiredness.
Muscle or body aches.
Headaches.
New loss of taste or smell.
Sore throat.
Congestion or runny nose.
Nausea or vomiting.
Diarrhea.
How does the new coronavirus (COVID-19) spread from person to person?
COVID-19 is likely spread:
When the virus travels in respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs,
sneezes, talks, sings or breathes near you (within six feet).
This is thought to be the main way COVID-19 is spread.
When the virus travels in small respiratory droplets that linger in the air for
minutes to hours from an infected person who is more than six
feet away or has since left the space. This method of spread is more likely to
occur in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
From close contact (touching, shaking hands) with an infected person.
By touching surfaces that the virus has landed on, then touching your eyes, mouth,
or nose before washing your hands.
(Not thought to spread easily by this method.)
COVID-19 enters your body through your mouth, nose or eyes (directly from the
airborne droplets or from transfer of the virus from your hands to your face).
The virus travels to the back of your nasal passages and mucous membrane in the
back of your throat. It attaches to cells there, begins to multiply
and moves into lung tissue. From there, the virus can spread to other body
tissues.
Governments, health agencies, researchers and healthcare providers are all working
together to develop policies and procedures to limit the
spread of this virus both globally and from individual to individual.
How long is a person infected with COVID-19 considered contagious?
Researchers are still learning about COVID-19. What IS known is that people
infected with COVID-19 can spread the virus to others before experiencing
symptoms themselves (while people are still “asymptomatic”). Once you do have
symptoms, the CDC says you are no longer contagious 10 days after your
symptoms began.
Until everything about COVID-19 is fully understood, the best advice from
healthcare providers to remain safe is to:
Stay six feet away from others whenever possible.
Wear a cloth mask that covers your mouth and nose when around others.
Wash your hands often. If soap is not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains
at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Bring in outdoor air as much as possible.
Stay self-isolated at home if you are feeling ill with symptoms that could be
COVID-19 or have a positive test for COVID-19.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21214-coronavirus-covid-19
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness in humans.
