Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a type of virus that are common in animals and, rarely, infect humans. A newly identified coronavirus emerged in humans in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It’s called coronavirus because it is covered with pointed structures that look like a corona, or crown. COVID-19 is the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.

What Are Coronavirus Symptoms?

People with the virus have reported symptoms that range from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. Mild cases may be difficult to distinguish from colds or flu.

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. They include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue or severe tiredness
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• New loss of taste or smell

“Most patients will get symptoms like fever, sore throat or cough,” says Elie Saade, MD, UH Director for Infection Control. “In a minority of patients, that will progress to cause severe pneumonia and that can lead to death.”

If you develop symptoms, call your doctor.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS
Think you or a loved one may have coronavirus? We’ll help you find the right care. Check your symptoms now.

Is It COVID-19, Flu, Allergies or a Cold? How to Tell

Feeling feverish? Have a cough? Trying not to rub itchy eyes? If you're feeling ill but are unsure what illness you may have, check out our symptom guide on The Science of Health blog.

How Does Coronavirus Spread?

The coronavirus is a respiratory disease that appears to spread like the flu virus – person-to-person and through the air. Virus-containing droplets from coughs or sneezes land in the mouth or nose of another person. You also can pick up the virus by touching an infected surface with your hand, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

People with the virus may be able to spread it before symptoms appear but, in general, people are thought to be most contagious when they are the most symptomatic.

People have little or no immunity to the virus because it is new. This allows the virus to spread quickly from person to person around the world. It may be months before an effective vaccine is developed.

How Does Coronavirus Affect People Differently?

People who have a higher chance of getting very sick from COVID-19 are:

• Adults age 65 and older
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• People with a serious chronic health problem such as: autoimmune disorder, cancer, COPD, diabetes, heart disease moderate to severe asthma, kidney, liver or lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis
• People with a serious heart condition, such as cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease
• People with sickle cell disease
• People who have poorly controlled HIV or AIDS
• People who have had a bone marrow or organ transplant
• People who take immune-weakening drugs such as prednisone
• People with severe obesity (body mass index of 40 or higher)
• Smokers

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of exposure to the disease.

What You Can Do To Avoid Getting and Spreading Coronavirus

• Stay home when you are sick. If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without having used fever-reducing medicines.
• Avoid crowds and close contact with people who are sick. If you are taking care of someone who is sick, try to stay 6 feet away – this is the distance virus-containing droplets can travel through a sneeze or cough.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol hand gel that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Cover your coughs; Sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects at home like door knobs with soap and water.
• Avoid frequently touched surfaces in public places, like elevator buttons, door handles and handrails. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch such a surface.

What To Do If You Suspect You Have Coronavirus

Most people infected with the coronavirus will have mild symptoms and can recover at home without seeing a doctor for treatment.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, follow these steps:

Call your physician. Call your physician as the first step in your care and follow your physician’s advice for treatment at home. Your doctor will determine if you need to be tested. If you don’t have a physician, visit a UH Testing Site for evaluation by a clinician.

Stay home. Try to stay in one room and away from other people. Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, towels or bedding, and wash them after use. Use a separate bathroom, if possible. Do not go into public places, such as a grocery store, or use public transportation or ride-sharing services.

Monitor and treat your symptoms. Take your temperature. You can take acetaminophen (sold under brand names such as Tylenol®) to reduce fever and relieve body aches. Drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Watch for severe signs. If you develop trouble breathing, seek medical attention. Be sure to call your doctor or emergency room before going in and tell them your symptoms.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS
Think you or a loved one may have coronavirus? We’ll help you find the right care. Check your symptoms now.

How Can I Get Tested?

If you suspect you have COVID-19 because of symptoms or confirmed exposure to someone with the virus, use the evaluation and testing guidelines to determine when and where to go for care.

How Can I Find Local Resources for COVID-19, Such as Vaccines, Testing and Masks?

A government website, COVID.gov, can help you find locations near you that offer COVID-19 testing, medications, vaccines, masks and more. The site can help you find test-to-treat locations, where you can receive antiviral medication on the spot if you test positive for COVID-19. There are currently more than 2,000 of these one-stop-shop locations in the U.S., including many in Northeast Ohio. The website can also help you find where you can receive COVID-19 vaccines and high-quality masks. You can also order at-home test kits through the website.