Who can get it, who is dying from it, whether face masks help, and more.
As the global coronavirus pandemic lengthens, many of us have a growing number of questions and concerns surrounding the crisis. In order to help you answer many of them all in one place, we have compiled a list of some of the most pressing apprehensions in connection with COVID-19.
Information is being updated and added daily online, as new discoveries and advancements are being made, and as governments announce new ways of helping people cope.
At the time of this writing, here are 10 things to know about COVID-19.
1) How contagious is the coronavirus?
Experts are not exactly sure exactly how contagious the coronavirus is. It seems to spread quite easily, as countries and communities around the globe are witnessing a steady rise in cases, daily. Italy now has it the worst with 627 coronavirus deaths reported in one day.
Experts have found that COVID-19 can spread almost twice as fast as the seasonal flu.
2) How does it spread?
The novel coronavirus is currently spreading from human to human through tiny droplets that pass from an infected person to others. This generally happens when the infected person sneezes or coughs. The droplets can travel up to six feet through the air, and so maintaining social distance with others of that same amount is important in order to stop the spread of the virus.
Someone who is infected can also spread the virus through any type of close contact with another person such as kissing, sharing food or drink, and touching and infecting surfaces that others will also touch.
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The coronavirus is said to be able to live on surfaces from hours to days. It can live for multiple days on plastic or steel, and less on things like cardboard, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
If you touch an infected surface and then touch your eyes or nose, you can transmit the virus to your body, as it travels in via these portals.
3) Are the coronavirus and COVID-19 the same thing?
Yes. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can exist in both humans and animals. They are “zootonic” viruses, and they can be transmitted from animals to humans, although they infect animals more than they do us. Both MERS and SARS are also coronaviruses.
These viruses are often mild, but this new one is not. The illness this novel coronavirus causes is called COVID-19.
4) What are the symptoms?
Sometimes, COVID-19 does not cause any symptoms at all. A person can still be infected, however. When symptoms do appear, look for flu-like symptoms, or those of a cold.
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Many people experience a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing. Experts say the symptoms can take anywhere from two to 14 days to appear. Before you are symptomatic, however, you can transmit the illness to others.
5) Does wearing a face mask help?
According to health officials, masks are helpful for those who are treating patients with the coronavirus. If you have the new coronavirus, you should wear a mask to inhibit your chances of infecting others. If you are well and going out to someplace like the hardware store, it is generally unnecessary to wear one. Feeling sick? Stay home.
6) Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus?
The reason COVID-19 is alarming is that in some cases it can become severe, and there is no known cure. The pneumonia it can cause can not be cured with antibiotics.
Researchers and officials are working on creating multiple vaccines to treat the coronavirus, but none will be ready for use for another 12 to 18 months.
Those patients who fall severely ill and require hospitalization are generally treated with oxygen.
7) How can I protect myself from getting it?
Washing your hands and avoiding contact with other people outside of your immediate family is the best way to limit the spread of COVID-19. There is a proper way to wash your hands, as shown here by the Wall Street Journal.
You should avoid touching your face, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces in your home and at work twice a day.
Social distancing is a big factor in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
Related: You should clean and disinfect these surfaces daily
In South Korea just one person, known as Patient 31, is thought to have infected hundreds of others in the country because she did not stay at home when sick.
Even if you are not sick, stay at home as much as possible. No playdates, or family gatherings. Work from home if possible, and abide by the movement restrictions in your area.
8) Who should be tested for the illness?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor. This includes anyone with a fever, a cough and cold or flu-like symptoms. Call before showing up, to see what protocols your medical office has in place for you to follow. Those who do not have a regular doctor should contact their local board of health for further instructions.
If you cannot get through on the phone, which can be the case these days, and you are experiencing severe symptoms, go to your local hospital and communicate that you think you may have COVID-19.
9) If you are pregnant, are you more likely to get the coronavirus?
Your chances of getting the coronavirus depends on many factors. Pregnant women are not more likely to contract it, but they can get it, obviously. Because the virus is new, scientists and doctors do not know how it affects pregnant women, specifically.
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According to Dr. Babar Memon of Harvard Health Publishing, pregnant women may be more likely to display symptoms if they are infected, and those are likely to be mild to moderate, as is common for others in the same age range as pregnant women.
10) Can young people die from COVID-19?
Data is showing that it is not only older people who die from the coronavirus. New Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data is showing that about 40% of patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized are actually aged 20 to 54.
About 20% of all COVID-19 deaths in the US are people who also fall into this category.
Older adults, those 55 and over, do have an increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
People of any age living with underlying conditions such as diabetes, and who have a compromised immune system due to fighting illnesses like cancer are most at risk.
