EDUCATION + PREVENTION Taking care of each other = doing all we can do to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses have caused more severe illness, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). SARS-CoV-2 is a new coronavirus (responsible for COVID-19) that was not identified in humans before December 2019.
What are symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It takes 2 to 14 days after a person gets the virus in their body to become ill. Novel coronavirus is new, and more is learned each day about symptoms it causes and how long it takes for people to become sick.
How does the virus spread?
Coronavirus spreads primarily between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) via the droplets expressed through coughs or sneezes. It may also spread by touching a surface or object with the virus on it. People are thought to be most contagious when they are the sickest, though spread is possible before people show any symptoms at all.
How is COVID-19 treated?
There are currently no vaccines available to prevent novel coronavirus infections. There are also no medications specifically approved to treat the coronavirus. Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications. However, some severe cases develop and require medical care or hospitalization.
How can I plan ahead of COVID-19?
Prevention starts with practicing good personal health habits: stay home, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, wash your hands often with soap and water, and clean frequently touched surfaces and objects. Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, eating healthy foods, and managing your stress may help you prevent getting COVID-19 and recover from it if you do.
What else can we do as individuals?
» Rely on and share trusted sources of information. » Speak up if you hear, see, or read stigmatizing or harassing comments or misinformation. » Show compassion and support for individuals and communities more closely impacted. » Avoid stigmatizing people who are in quarantine. They are making the right choice for their communities.
Sources: Washington State Health Department (DOH): doh.wa.gov/coronavirus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov
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Coronavirus Information & Resource Guide