COVID-19
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COVID-19
COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. This virus emerged in December 2019.
COVID-19 can be severe and fatal. The disease has caused caused millions of deaths around the globe as well as long-lasting health problems in patients who survived the respiratory illness.
COVID-19 can be easily spread from person to person. A laboratory test is used diagnose the disease.
COVID-19 vaccines were authorized for emergency use earlier this year by the U.S. FDA known and the Food and Drug Administration. Vaccination programs are now commonly available in many hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and medical offices across the United States and in many parts of the globe.
Preventing the disease involves social distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and keep away from others if you feel ill.
COVID-19 vaccines were authorized for emergency use earlier this year by the U.S. FDA known and the Food and Drug Administration. Vaccination programs are now commonly available in many hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and medical offices across the United States and in many parts of the globe.
Preventing the disease involves social distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and keep away from others if you feel ill.
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How does the COVID-19 spread?
At this point, medical researchers understand that COVID-19 is spread by airborne droplets and virus particles when a person who has COVID-19 breathes, speaks, coughs, sings, coughs or sneezes into the air. A large droplet can fall to the ground in seconds, however tiny infectious airborne particles can linger accumulate in indoor venues or places, especially in close group settings with poor ventilation. For this reason, wearing a mask, washing your hands and social distancing are critical to preventing COVID-19.
Is there an incubation period if you have COVID-19?
Symptoms can show up within 2 to 14 days of exposure to the virus. A person infected with the COVID-19 can be contagious to anyone for up to 2 days before symptoms start to appear. They can remain contagious to other people for up to 20 days. This can depend on the strength of their immune system and how severe is their illness.
What are symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 symptoms may include but are not limited to:
- Cough
- Fever or having chills
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Sore throat
- A loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Feeling Congested or having a runny nose
Certain people infected with COVID-19 have mild symptoms. Others have absolutely no symptoms. In unfortunate cases, however, COVID-19 can lead to failure of the respiratory system, long-lasting lung and or heart muscle damage, nervous system complications, renal failure or death..
If you suffer from a fever or any of the symptoms listed above in this page, call your doctor, discuss your symptoms over the phone first. This should be your first step before going to the doctor’s office, and urgent care center or emergency room.
Here are some suggestions if you are feeling very sick and concerned you may have COVID-19
CALL 911 immediately if you have a medical emergency such difficulty breathing
How is COVID-19 currently diagnosed?
A laboratory test is used to diagnose COVID-19. A physical examination alone is sometimes difficult since many signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may be caused by other conditions. As mentioned earlier, certain patients with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms
What is the current treatment for COVID-19?
The current treatment for COVID-19 will address the signs and symptoms of the infection. The medical treatments given support people with more severe disease. If you suffer from a mild case of COVID-19, your doctor may suggest to take fever reducers or over-the-counter medications. If the cases are more sever, it may require you to go to the hospital. At the hospital, a patient can receive a combination of medical treatments which may include steroidal medications, oxygen, breathing support, and other COVID-19 treatments still being developed. An infusion of monoclonal antibodies are given to certain patients who are still early enough in the infection to try and reduce the symptoms, severity and duration of ths illness
How do I protect myself from COVID-19?
Vaccines have now been authorized under emergency use to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, until more research and studies take place, there is plenty that needs to be understood on how the vaccines affect someone’s ability to transmit the virus. Safety precautions such as wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands should continue regardless of a someone’s vaccination status to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are have questions about COVID-19, contact us today