10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Answers provided by UT Physcians
1. How can I protect myself from COVID -19?
est risk for developing severe symptoms. You can also review the latest from the CDC on high risk information.
There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection. You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by doing the
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
following:
4. What are the symptoms of COVID -19?
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
COVID -19 is a respiratory illness that causes the following symptoms:
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available.
• Fever
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cough
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Shortness of breath
• Stay home when you are sick.
Symptoms may not appear up until 14 days after exposure.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the
5. How many people have been infected with COVID-19 in the United States?
trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Updated information can be found at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases
2. Who should I call if I think I have COVID -19, or have been exposed to a person with COVID -19?
6. Where did the current coronavirus originate?
Contact your primary care provider.
A new coronavirus was identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in late
3. Who is at a higher risk for COVID -19?
19. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in
2019. This new coronavirus is called the “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease COVID thousands of cases throughout the world. The exact source of the virus has not
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals who
yet been confirmed; however, it has been linked to large seafood and animal
have chronic conditions or are above the age of 70, are considered at the great-
market in Wuhan, China, suggesting zoonotic origin. 8
