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About COVID
Want to know the basics about coronavirus? Below is important information about what the virus is, how it spreads, what the symptoms are, 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 experience mild to moderate respiratory illnesses and will recover without the need for special treatment. Older people 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 down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using alcohol-based rubbing frequently and without touching your face.
COVID-19 virus is spread mainly by saliva drops or by discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it is important that you also practice respiratory tagging (for example, by coughing at the flexed elbow).
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus. Human coronaviruses spread like the flu or cold:
- By the air for coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus
- Occasionally, fecal contamination
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Shivers
- Repeated agitation with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- A sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Symptoms may appear in just two days or up to 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with few or no symptoms to seriously ill and dying people.
Most people who have mild symptoms can recover at home without medical attention. If you would like to take a diagnostic test, contact your healthcare provider or arrange an appointment at a publicly accessible test site.
If you don’t want to get tested, it’s still important to stay home, isolate yourself, and avoid contact with others, rest, and drink fluids. If you feel worse, call your doctor.
For severe symptoms (including a fever above 100 °), call your doctor. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital or emergency department to make an appointment.
If it is an emergency, call 911.
Emergency warning signs may include:
- Breathing problems
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
- Use a mask – indoors and outdoors – whenever you leave home or have people who do not live in your space.
- Keep your distance from the non-living and avoid crowds.
- Download the COVID Alert PA mobile app to receive alerts if you’ve been around someone who has tested positive and to alert others if you test positive.
- Cover your cough or sneezing 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 no soap and water is available.
- Thoroughly clean surfaces with a high touch, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remote controls, and other frequently touched items.
- if you are sick, even if the symptoms are mild, stay home until you feel better.