Coronavirus:

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause respiratory illness in humans. They get their name, “corona,” from the varied crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and thus the cold are samples 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 or any or any continents (except Antarctica).

How many people are infected with COVID-19?

The number of people infected changes daily. Organizations that collect this information, including the earth Health Organization (WHO) and thus the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are gathering information and continuously learning more about this outbreak. As of this writing (04/1/2021), quite 129,000,000 people within the planet are infected. Over 2,800,000 people have died. Some 192 countries and territories on all continents (except Antarctica) have now reported cases of COVID-19. The U.S. has the absolute best number of cases, with quite 30,500,000 people infected and over 550,000 deaths. Brazil has quite 12,700,000 cases and 320,000 deaths; India has over 12,200,000 cases; France has over 4,700,000 cases; Russia and England have over 4,300,000 cases; Italy has quite 3,600,000, Turkey has over 3,300,000 cases, Spain has over 3,200,000 cases; Germany has quite 2,800,000 cases; Columbia has 2,400,000 cases; Poland and Argentina have over 2,300,000 and Mexico has over 2,200,000 cases. For the most recent statistics, see the earth Health Organization's situation reports and Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center map references at end of article.

How does the new coronavirus (COVID-19) spread from person to person?

COVID-19 is perhaps going 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 often often thought to be the foremost way COVID-19 is spread.

When the virus travels in small respiratory droplets that linger within the air for minutes to hours from an infected one that's quite 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 rear of your nasal passages and mucosa within the rear 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 could also be an individual infected with COVID-19 considered contagious?

Researchers are still learning about COVID-19. what's 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're doing have symptoms, the CDC says you are not contagious 10 days after your symptoms began.

Until everything about COVID-19 is fully understood, the only 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 isn't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains a minimum of 60% alcohol.

Avoid crowded indoor spaces. inaugurate outdoor air the utmost amount as possible.

Stay self-isolated reception if you are feeling ill with symptoms that might be COVID-19 or have a positive test for COVID-19.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

How soon after becoming infected with COVID-19 will I develop symptoms?

This so-called “incubation period,” the time between becoming infected and showing symptoms, can range from two to 14 days. the standard time before experiencing symptoms is five days. Symptoms can range in severity from very mild to severe. In about 80% of patients, COVID-19 causes only mild symptoms.

Who is most in peril for getting COVID-19?

Persons at greatest risk of contracting COVID-19 are:

People who sleep in or have recently traveled to any area with ongoing active spread.

People who have had close contact with a private who features a laboratory-confirmed or a suspected case of the COVID-19 virus. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of quarter-hour or more over a 24-hour period.

People over age 60 who have pre-existing medical conditions or a weakened system .

If i buy over a case of COVID-19, am i ready to be infected again?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says that "the immune response to COVID-19 isn't yet understood." Because this is often often a replacement strain of coronavirus, scientists are still collecting information and research on the virus so it's still too early to know if you'll catch on a second time if you've had it once.

In a related theme, scientists are seeing a subset of patients who have COVID-19 and have symptoms that continue off and on for weeks and even months. These patients are called coronavirus long haulers. Scientists still follow these patients.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What are the symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection?

The CDC says you will have coronavirus if you've 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.

Additional symptoms are possible.

Symptoms may appear between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus. Children have similar, but usually milder, symptoms than adults. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk of more serious complication from COVID-19.

Call 911 and acquire immediate medical attention if you've these warning signs:

Trouble breathing.

Persistent pain or pressure in your chest.

New confusion.

Inability to arouse (wake up from sleep).

Bluish lips or face.

This list doesn't include all possible symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you're concerned you'll coronavirus, produce other symptoms or have any severe symptoms.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How is coronavirus diagnosed?

COVID-19 is diagnosed with a laboratory test. Your healthcare provider may collect a sample of your saliva or swab your nose or throat to call testing.

When should I be tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Call your healthcare provider if you:

Feel sick with fever, cough or have difficulty breathing.

Have been in close contact with a private known or suspected to possess COVID-19.

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions on your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you'd wish to be tested for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 and where to visit be tested.

If I even have a positive test for coronavirus, how long should I self-isolate?

According to current CDC recommendations, you need to self-isolate until you've met all three of the next criteria:

It's been 10 days since your symptoms first appeared.

You've not had a fever for 24 hours and you've got not used fever-lowing medications during now .

Your COVID-19 symptoms have improved.

While reception , ideally self-isolate within separate room of your home if possible to limit interaction with other relations . If you can’t stay 100% isolated during a separate room, stay six feet away from others and wear a cloth mask, wash your hands often/family members wash hands often, and frequently disinfect commonly touched surfaces and shared areas.

You don't need to be retested to be around others outside your home. However, since everyone and every case is exclusive , follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for testing.

If you've a weakened system or have had a severe case of COVID-19, the CDC's criteria don't apply to you. you'll need to stay home for up to twenty days after your symptoms first appeared. Talk along side your healthcare provider about your situation.

How long do i would like to isolate myself if I’ve been around a private with COVID-19?

According to the CDC, if you’ve been in close contact with a private who has COVID-19, your safest strategy is to stay home for 14 days after you’ve last seen this person.

Recently, the CDC updated its guidance. Alternatives to the 14-day quarantine are:

End your quarantine after 10 days without a test if you've had no symptoms at any time over these 10 days.

End your quarantine after seven days if you've had no symptoms at any time over these seven days and have tested negative for COVID-19. Your COVID-19 test should be obtained no before day 5 of your quarantine. If you get a negative test result back before day 7, stay isolated for the entire seven days. If you are doing not get results back by day 7, still quarantine until you're doing , up to day 10.

PREVENTION

How am i ready to prevent getting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Right now, the only defense to prevent getting COVID-19 is to follow variety of the same steps you'd fancy prevent getting other viruses, just like the cold or the flu.

Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds— especially before eating and preparing food, after using the rest room , after wiping your nose, and after coming in-tuned with someone who features a chilly .

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of viruses from your hands.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing or sneeze and cough into your sleeve. Throw the tissue within the trash. Wash your hands afterward. Never cough or sneeze into your hands!

Avoid close contact (within six feet) with people who have coughs, colds or are sick. Stay home if you're sick.

If you're vulnerable to sickness or have a weakened system , stand back from large crowds of people . Follow the directions of your healthcare authorities especially during outbreaks.

Clean frequently used surfaces (such as doorknobs and counter tops) with a virus-killing disinfectant.

Use hand sanitizers that contain a minimum of 60% alcohol if soap and water aren't available.

Greet people with a friendly gesture instead of shaking hands.

Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, drink many liquids and exercise if you are able . These steps will strengthen your system and enable you to repel infections easier.

Should I wear a face mask?

The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face coverings publicly , especially in places where it’s hard to require care of a minimum of six feet of distance between yourself and another person. Face masks protect both you and thus the people around you. Cloth face masks are being recommended because we now know individuals with COVID-19 could have mild or no symptoms, while still spreading the virus to others.

The cloth face coverings recommended by the CDC aren't surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.