COVID-19 Coronavirus Signs And Prevention
General Health & Wellness Children's Health Pregnancy
December 02, 2020
Loss of smell or taste are commonly thought of signs of the coronavirus, but other symptoms can be far worrying.
But what is the COVID-19 coronavirus, and what do health experts know about the signs and how to prevent the spread of illness, months into the pandemic?
What Is A Coronavirus?
While news reports talk about "the coronavirus," this new virus is one of many coronaviruses, part of a large family of viruses that are known to cause respiratory illness in people and animals.
"Coronaviruses are something that have been around for a very long time," Erik Mikaitis, MD, Franciscan Health vice president for medical affairs at Franciscan Health Crown Point, told Lakeshore Public Radio. "Typically, the normal strains we're exposed to will cause upper respiratory infections, coughs, sniffles. We have had new viruses that come about that are part of that same coronavirus family."
Coronaviruses range from the common cold to more severe respiratory diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
What Is COVID-19?
The new coronavirus has been officially named as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. (Its temporary name was 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV.)
How did COVID-19 get that name? COVID-19 stands for:
- COVI - coronavirus
- D - disease
- 19 - the year the virus was discovered
A novel coronavirus, COVID-19 is a new strain of a virus that had not been previously identified in humans.
Am I At Risk Of Getting The COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Depending on your health history, you may be at higher risk of complications if you contract the COVID-19 coronavirus.
People at higher risk of complications include;
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- People who are overweight or obese
- Smokers
- People with chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, COPD and kidney disease
- People who are immunocompromised
As of early December, more than 13 million cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been confirmed in the United States. You can track state coronavirus data here:
What Are Signs Of Coronaviruses?
Signs and symptoms of illness from the novel coronavirus include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Early symptoms of exposure to the coronavirus are similar to that of the flu. They include:
- Chills, or repeated shaking with chills
- Body aches
- Sore throats
- Headaches
- Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- Runny nose
- Muscle pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or running nose
These symptoms may appear in a person who had been in close contact with a person who has contracted the virus. If you have had close contact with someone who was confirmed to have, or is being evaluated for, a COVID-19 infection and develop a fever or any of the symptoms, the CDC recommends you call your healthcare provider immediately.
Common signs of infection from other coronaviruses can include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection from those viruses can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Can Coronaviruses Be Transmitted Between People?
Yes, some coronaviruses, including COVID-19, can be transmitted between people, usually after close contact with an infected patient. As with cold or flu viruses, the COVID-19 coronavirus can be spread through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact and touching surfaces that have the virus on them.
How Can I Protect Myself From Coronaviruses?
The best way to protect yourself from the spread of coronaviruses is by avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. “I think the biggest thing is making sure that you're not talking too closely to people and not coughing without covering your cough or sneeze,” Erica Kaufman West, MD, Infectious Disease Physician with Franciscan Physician Network Infectious Disease Dyer, told Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. on a Facebook live. “That’s the biggest preventive defensive thing that you can do.”
Additionally, health experts are recommending safe food practices and avoiding animals and uncooked meat if traveling in affected areas.
"Anyone who’s sick, if you’re sneezing those droplets, it’s about a 6 feet radius of those droplets traveling out. If it lands on surfaces, those surfaces can be contaminated several hours," Dr. Mikatis said. "If you think of someone sneezing and then touching a door knob, that’s contaminated, and if you touch that and then you touch your mouth or your nose, you’ve basically infected yourself. Be very mindful of not touching face when you’re in public without first washing your hands."
Are Face Masks Recommended To Protect Myself From The COVID-19 Coronavirus?
In April, the CDC gave updated recommendations for the use of face masks. According to the CDC:
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
- Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face mask.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Do NOT use a face mask meant for a healthcare worker.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
How Should I Stay Safe While Traveling?
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affected areas with their healthcare provider.
As the novel coronavirus situation evolves internationally, take time to become informed about travel precautions before any business travel or vacations. The CDC currently advises against nonessential international travel at this time.
See the CDC site regarding travel within the United States. Some states are also requiring quarantines after return from travel.
"Before traveling, always check the CDC website for updates and see a travel medicine doctor," said Kanayo K. Odeluga, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Franciscan WorkingWell Chicago Heights. "An informed traveler is a safe traveler."
Additionally, travelers may be asked questions about their health and travel history upon arrival.
If I Am Sick And Think I Was Exposed To The COVID-19 Coronavirus, What Should I Do?
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
If sick, avoid contact with others and do not travel or use public transportation.
Just as if you had a cold, practice such measures as washing hands often with soap and water and covering your mouth while coughing and sneezing. The CDC also recommends that if you have the novel coronavirus you should:
- Stay home except to receive medical care.
- Separate yourself from other people in your home when possible.
- Wear a facemask when around others.
- Avoid sharing household items.
- Clean surfaces including counters, door knobs, light switches, toilets, phones and tablets.
- Monitor your symptoms - and get medical care quickly if your illness worsens or you have trouble breathing.
If I Think I Was Exposed To The COVID-19 Coronavirus But Am Not Sick, What Should I Do?
The CDC recommends that if you have had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, COVID-19 infection, you should monitor your health beginning when you had close contact with that person and continuing for 14 days after the last contact. Call your health care provider if you develop a fever or any of these symptoms:
- Fever - The CDC recommends checking your temperature twice daily during this period.
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath or problems breathing
- Chills
- Body ache
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nauseau or vomiting
- Runny nose.
As long as you do not have any symptoms, the CDC says you can continue with daily activities including work, school and other activities.
How Can I Prevent Coronaviruses From Spreading In My Home?
If a family member or other person living with you becomes ill from the coronavirus, the CDC recommends these and other tips to prevent the spread of the virus within your home:
- Follow the directions of your healthcare provider.
- Restrict visitors, including the elderly and persons with heart, lung and kidney conditions, or diabetes
- Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds at a time.
- Use a separate bathroom and bedroom.
- Make sure shared air spaces have good air flow.
- Use facemasks, gowns and gloves as appropriate. Do not reuse these.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
- Do not share household items.
- Thoroughly clean surfaces and laundry.
- Continue to monitor your own health.
Living with someone who has COVID-19 in your home does not mean you will actually get the virus.
“There's not 100% transmission rate, first of all. We anticipate the transmission, we know the household transmission rate from data from China is about 10%,” Dr. Kaufman West said. “Anybody that's symptomatic we say should get their own bedroom. They should eat alone, they should watch TV alone. They should basically be alone.”
Get more detailed instructions for how to protect your loved ones from the CDC.
Is There A Vaccine For The COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Two-shot vaccines for the COVID-19 coronavirus have been developed by Pfizer and Moderna, and both companies applied for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, and early distribution plans are already in development.
How Is The COVID-19 Coronavirus Diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider may order lab tests to confirm COVID-19 infection or to rule out flu, MERS or other viruses.
Is There A Medication For The COVID-19 Coronavirus?
According to the CDC and the US Food & Drug Administration, there is not a specific antiviral treatment for the new coronavirus like there is for the flu. A clinical trial is underway of one potential treatment.
As the coronavirus is caused by a virus and not by bacteria, an antibiotic will not be helpful for treatment.
How Can I Learn More About The Threat of COVID-19 Coronavirus In Indiana or Illinois?
You can track state coronavirus data and find state resources here:
How Is Franciscan Health Preparing For The Coronavirus?
As COVID-19 is an evolving situation, Franciscan Health will continue to work with local and state public health agencies should additional measures need to be taken. Patient safety is always paramount in the protection of our patients, visitors and staff. Learn more about how we're preparing.
Keep up to date on the COVID-19 coronavirus on the CDC website.
