This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
What is COVID-19?
According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 is a strain of the Coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold, headaches, difficulty breathing to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Human coronaviruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This is more common in people with cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems, (infants and the elderly).
How to Protect Yourself From Covid-19
There are a number of known coronaviruses which circulate in animals that have not infected humans. Little is known about COVID-19 presently, even though human-to-human transmission has been confirmed.
Common human Coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives. These illnesses usually only last for a short period of time.
Persons who are immunocompromised should take extra precaution in an effort to safeguard themselves from contracting the virus.
Stop the Spread of Germs
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 following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
What to do?
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 following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe