Symptoms
People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. More rarely, the disease can be serious and even fatal. Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill. People may experience: cough fever tiredness difficulty breathing (severe cases)
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Prevention
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.
- Keep six feet, or more, away from anyone outside your household.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
- Washing your hands, or using an alcohol based rub, frequently.
- Protect yourself and others, by wearing a mask when/if you go shopping or are around anyone not in your household
- Wipe down, or spray with disinfectant, all boxes, bags & other items brought into your home. Fresh fruits and vegetables, not in packaging need to be thoroughly washed.
- Any coughing or sneezing should be done into your elbow.
- Used tissues should be disposed of immediately & hands should be washed/sanitized after touching used tissues.
How it is Spread
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose & mouth, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. That is why it is so it’s important that EVERYONE practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
Children especially need to learn not to put fingers in noses, mouths & eyes and coughing or sneezing into their elbow. “If you cough, or if you sneeze, cover with your elbow please”
The virus can stay active/contagious on surfaces, for an undetermined number of hours, depending on the surface, which is why frequent hand washing and wiping down of surfaces in your home and on anything brought into your home is important.
* Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Treatment
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.
