The fact is, you don’t have to worry.
About COVID
Curious about the basics of coronavirus? Below is important information about what the virus is, how it spreads, what its symptoms look like, and how to protect yourself and others.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will develop mild to moderate respiratory disease and recover without special treatment. The elderly and people with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow transmission is to be knowledgeable about the COVID-19 virus, the disease that causes it, and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rubbing agent regularly and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus mainly spreads through droplets of saliva or nasal discharge when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it is important that you also practice breathing etiquette (for example, by coughing into a bent elbow).
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus. Human coronaviruses spread just like the flu or the common cold:
- By coughing or sneezing through the air
- Close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands
- Touch an object or surface with the virus on it
- Occasional faecal contamination
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- muscle strain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Symptoms can appear within two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses range from people with few or no symptoms to people who are seriously ill and die.
Most people with mild symptoms can recover at home without medical care. To get tested for a diagnosis, contact your health care provider or schedule an appointment at a publicly available testing site.
If you don’t want to be tested, it is still important to stay at home, isolate and avoid contact with others, rest, and drink fluids. If you’re feeling worse, contact your health care provider.
For severe symptoms (including fever above 100 °), call your health care provider. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, call the nearest hospital or emergency room to make an appointment.
Call 911 if it’s an emergency.
Emergency warning signs can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
- Wear a mask – inside and outside – when you leave the house or have people who do not live with you in your space.
- Keep your distance from those you don’t live with and avoid crowds.
- Download the COVID Alert PA mobile app to get notified if you’ve been around someone who tested positive and to alert others if you test positive.
- Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Don’t use your hands!
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Regularly clean surfaces that are touched, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remote controls, and other frequently touched items.
- if you are sick – even if your symptoms are mild – stay home until you feel better.