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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus - 2019; Coronavirus - novel 2019; 2019 Novel coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur. COVID-19 is caused by a highly infectious virus, and it has spread throughout the world. Most people get mild to moderate illness. Older adults and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for severe illness and death.

Causes

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can affect people and animals. They can cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses can cause severe illness that can lead to pneumonia and even death.

COVID-19 most readily spreads to people within close contact (about 6 feet or 2 meters). When someone with the illness coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes, droplets and very small particles spray into the air. You can catch the illness if you breathe in these droplets or particles or they get in your eyes.

In some instances, COVID-19 may spread through the air and infect people who are more than 6 feet away. Small droplets and particles can remain in the air for minutes to hours. This is called airborne (or aerosol) transmission, and it occurs especially in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. However, it is more common for COVID-19 to spread through close contact.

Less often, the illness can spread if you touch a surface with the virus on it, and then touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or face. But this is thought to be a much less common way in which the virus spreads.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person quickly. As the virus spreads, it can change, and new variants will occur. Taking steps to slow the spread of the virus, such as by getting a COVID-19 vaccine, can help slow the development of new variants.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) consider COVID-19 a serious public health threat globally and in the United States. The situation continues to evolve, and local rates of infection vary significantly, so it's important to follow current local guidance on how to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19.

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe. Older people and people with certain existing health conditions have a higher risk of developing severe illness and death. Health conditions that increase this risk include:

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This is not a complete list of possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new variants of the virus.

Some people may have no symptoms at all. Many people have some, but not all of the symptoms. Symptoms can also vary, depending on whether you are vaccinated and boosted.

Symptoms may appear within 2 to 14 days after being exposed. Most often, symptoms appear around 5 days after exposure. However, you can spread the virus even when you do not have symptoms.

More severe symptoms that require seeking medical help right away include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain or pressure that persists
  • Confusion or inability to wake up
  • Blue lips or face
  • Any other symptoms that are severe or that concern you

Exams and Tests

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can perform a self-test. Your health care provider also may decide to test you for the disease.

If you get tested for COVID-19, swabs from the back of the nose, the front of the nose, or the throat will be collected. If a person is thought to have COVID-19, these samples will be tested for SARS-CoV-2.

Treatment

If you are recovering at home, supportive care is given to help relieve symptoms. People with severe illness will be treated in the hospital. Some people are being given experimental medicines.

The types of medicines given may vary depending upon how sick you are, your risk factors for serious illness from the disease, your age, and possibly what variant of the virus is causing the infection.

If you test positive for COVID-19, your provider may recommend antiviral drugs.

If given soon after you become infected (5 to 7 days, depending on the drug), these medicines help your immune system fight off the virus. They may be given to adults and children with mild to moderate illness who are not hospitalized. These medicines include:

  • Nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid), an antiviral medicine, to help slow the virus. It is a pill you take at home.
  • Remdesivir, an antiviral medicine, to help slow the virus. This medicine is given through the vein (IV). You will need to go to a health care facility for 3 days in a row to receive this medicine.
  • Molnupiravir (Lagevrio), an antiviral medicine used only for adults. It is a pill you take at home.

If you are being cared for in the hospital and are receiving oxygen therapy, treatment for COVID-19 may include the following medicines:

  • Remdesivir, an antiviral medicine, to help slow the virus.
  • Dexamethasone, a steroid medicine, to help reduce an overactive immune response in the body. If dexamethasone is not available, you may be given another corticosteroid such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, or hydrocortisone.
  • You may be given one or the other medicine or both medicines together.
  • Depending on your condition, you may also receive baricitinib or tocilizumab to help reduce immune system activity.
  • You will be treated for any complications from the disease. For example, you may be given blood thinners to help reduce the chance of blood clots, or you may have dialysis if your kidneys do not function properly.

Based on available evidence, current treatment guidelines from the National Institutes of Health recommend against using some drugs for COVID-19, including chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and ivermectin. Do not take any drugs to treat COVID-19 except those prescribed by your provider. Check with your provider before treating yourself or a loved one with vitamins, nutrients, or any medicines prescribed in the past for other health problems. Since some COVID-19 medicines have interactions with other medicines or supplements you may be taking, always check with your provider before starting them.

Treatments for COVID-19 continue to be evaluated and guidelines continue to evolve. For the latest information about treatment for COVID-19, please see Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment guidelines from the National Institutes of Health.

Possible Complications

Complications can include:

  • Long COVID, which is lasting COVID-19 symptoms that continue weeks or months after infection with the virus (post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection [PASC])
  • Damage to the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal organs
  • Respiratory failure
  • Death

When to Contact a Medical Professional

You should contact your provider:

  • If you have symptoms and think you may have been exposed to COVID-19
  • If you have COVID-19 and you are in a group for whom antiviral medicine may be given
  • If you have COVID-19 and your symptoms are getting worse

Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Confusion or inability to wake up
  • Blue lips or face
  • Any other symptoms that are severe or concern you

Before you go to a doctor's office or hospital emergency department (ED), call ahead and tell them that you have or think you may have COVID-19. Tell them about any underlying conditions you might have, such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease and any medicines you might be taking, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. Wear the most protective mask you can that fits well without gaps and that you will wear, unless it makes it too hard to breathe. This will help protect other people you come in contact with.

Prevention

COVID-19 vaccines are used to boost the body's immune system and protect against COVID-19. These vaccines are the best tools to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults and children ages 6 months and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves from the virus.

To find out where to get a vaccine in your area, check with your local public health department. You can also use the CDC VaccineFinder.

Once you are fully vaccinated, take these steps to continue to protect you and the people around you:

  • In most cases, you do not need to wear a mask when you are outdoors.
  • You should wear a mask if you are in a crowded outdoor setting with people who may be unvaccinated.
  • To reduce the risk of being infected with one of the COVID-19 variants and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of high transmission.

You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if:

  • You have a weakened immune system
  • You are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition
  • A member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated

If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms of it, you must isolate yourself at home and avoid contact with other people, both inside and outside your home, to avoid spreading the illness. This is called home isolation. You should do this immediately and not wait for any COVID-19 testing.

  • As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from others in your home. Use a separate bathroom if you can. Do not leave your home except to get medical care. Wash your hands often.
  • Do not travel while sick. Do not use public transportation or taxis.
  • Keep track of your symptoms. You may receive instructions on how to check and report your symptoms.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor. Before you go to a doctor's office or emergency department (ED), call ahead and tell them that you have or think you may have COVID-19.
  • Use a well-fitted face mask or respirator that fits well over your nose and mouth without gaps when you see your health care provider and anytime other people are in the same room with you. If you can't wear a mask, for example, due to breathing problems, people in your home should wear a mask if they need to be in the same room with you.
  • Avoid contact with pets or other animals. (SARS-CoV-2 can spread from people to animals, but it is not known how often this happens.)
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Droplets that are released when a person sneezes or coughs are infectious. Throw away the tissue after use.
  • Wash your hands many times a day with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Do this before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Do not share personal items such as cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding. Wash anything you have used in soap and water.
  • Clean all "high-touch" areas in the home, such as doorknobs, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, toilets, phones, tablets, counters, and other surfaces. Use a household cleaning spray and follow instructions for use.
  • Take steps to improve ventilation in your home. You can do this by opening windows, turning on exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen, using portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners, and setting the fan on your furnace or air conditioning to “on” if you have central heating and cooling in your home.

You should remain at home, avoid contact with people, and follow the guidance of your provider and local health department about when to stop home isolation. Follow the advice of your provider and local health department regarding when you may return to work or other activities.

It's also important to help prevent the spread of the disease to protect people at high risk of serious illness and to protect providers who are at the front lines of dealing with COVID-19.

To find out what it happening in your community, check your local or state government website.

Learn more about COVID-19 and you:

For the latest research information:

Information about COVID-19 from the World Health Organization:

Open References

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including boosters. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#children. Updated June 7, 2023. Accessed June 22, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19: Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html. Updated May 15, 2023. Accessed June 22, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Long COVID or post-COVID conditions. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html. Updated December 16, 2022. Accessed June 22, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19: COVID-19 treatments and medications. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html. Updated May 26, 2023. Accessed June 22, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19: If you are sick or caring for someone. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html. Updated November 29, 2022. Accessed June 22, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Variants. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html. Updated February 6, 2023. Accessed August 4, 2023.

National Institutes of Health. COVID-19 treatment guidelines. Clinical management of adults summary. www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/management/clinical-management-of-adults/clinical-management-of-adults-summary/. Updated April 20, 2022. Accessed June 22, 2023.

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    Vacation health care - Animation

    Planning ahead of time can make your travels smoother and help you avoid problems. Let's talk today about vacation health care. Always prepare in advance for health problems you might experience when you travel. Ask your health insurance carrier what they will cover or pay for, and consider buying traveler's insurance when you travel abroad. If your children are not traveling with you, leave a signed consent-to-treat form with their caretaker. And if you are taking medications, talk to your health care provider before leaving. Make sure you carry your medications in your carry-on bag, never in your luggage. Research the health care in the country you are visiting. And if you can, find out where you would go if you needed medical help. So, what should you pack? Well, you'll want to bring several important items on your trip. Pack a first aid kit, immunization records, insurance ID cards, and medical records for any chronic illnesses or recent medical surgery. Bring a list of the names and phone numbers of your pharmacist and health care providers. Pack any nonprescription medications you might need, along with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. So, what do you do on the road? When you travel, know what steps you need to take to prevent different diseases and infections. This includes how to avoid mosquito bites, what foods you can eat safely, where you can eat safely, how to drink water and other liquids, and proper hand washing. If you are visiting an area where traveler's diarrhea is common, know how to prevent and treat it. Be aware of automobile safety and use seat belts when you travel. Upon arriving at your destination, check the local emergency number. If you're traveling a long way, expect your body to adjust to a new time zone at about the rate of 1 hour per day. If you're traveling with children, make sure they know the name and telephone number of your hotel, just in case they get separated from you. Write this information down and put it in their pocket. Give them enough money to make a phone call, and make sure they know how to use phones if you are visiting a foreign country. As always, a little preparation goes a long way to preventing problems.

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    COVID-19 vaccine - illustration

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  • Vacation health care

    Animation

    •  

    Vacation health care - Animation

    Planning ahead of time can make your travels smoother and help you avoid problems. Let's talk today about vacation health care. Always prepare in advance for health problems you might experience when you travel. Ask your health insurance carrier what they will cover or pay for, and consider buying traveler's insurance when you travel abroad. If your children are not traveling with you, leave a signed consent-to-treat form with their caretaker. And if you are taking medications, talk to your health care provider before leaving. Make sure you carry your medications in your carry-on bag, never in your luggage. Research the health care in the country you are visiting. And if you can, find out where you would go if you needed medical help. So, what should you pack? Well, you'll want to bring several important items on your trip. Pack a first aid kit, immunization records, insurance ID cards, and medical records for any chronic illnesses or recent medical surgery. Bring a list of the names and phone numbers of your pharmacist and health care providers. Pack any nonprescription medications you might need, along with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. So, what do you do on the road? When you travel, know what steps you need to take to prevent different diseases and infections. This includes how to avoid mosquito bites, what foods you can eat safely, where you can eat safely, how to drink water and other liquids, and proper hand washing. If you are visiting an area where traveler's diarrhea is common, know how to prevent and treat it. Be aware of automobile safety and use seat belts when you travel. Upon arriving at your destination, check the local emergency number. If you're traveling a long way, expect your body to adjust to a new time zone at about the rate of 1 hour per day. If you're traveling with children, make sure they know the name and telephone number of your hotel, just in case they get separated from you. Write this information down and put it in their pocket. Give them enough money to make a phone call, and make sure they know how to use phones if you are visiting a foreign country. As always, a little preparation goes a long way to preventing problems.

  • COVID-19

    COVID-19 - illustration

    Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a respiratory illness that ranges from mild symptoms to pneumonia or even death. Symptoms occur within 2 to 14 days from exposure to the virus and may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of sense of taste or smell. COVID-19 may be more severe in people who are older or who have chronic health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.

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    Coronavirus - illustration

    Coronaviruses are a family of viruses. Infection with these viruses can cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses may cause severe illness and lead to pneumonia or even death.

    Coronavirus

    illustration

  • Respiratory system

    Respiratory system - illustration

    Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

    Respiratory system

    illustration

  • Upper respiratory tract

    Upper respiratory tract - illustration

    The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.

    Upper respiratory tract

    illustration

  • Lower respiratory tract

    Lower respiratory tract - illustration

    The major passages and structures of the lower respiratory tract include the windpipe (trachea) and within the lungs, the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Deep in the lungs, each bronchus divides into secondary and tertiary bronchi, which continue to branch to smaller airways called the bronchioles. The bronchioles end in air sacs called the alveoli. Alveoli are bunched together into clusters to form alveolar sacs. Gas exchange occurs on the surface of each alveolus by a network of capillaries carrying blood that has come through veins from other parts of the body.

    Lower respiratory tract

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  • Face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19

    Face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 - illustration

    Using face masks correctly in public settings helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 spreads to people within close contact via small droplets sprayed into the air by someone with the disease who coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. Wearing face masks or cloth face coverings that cover the nose, mouth, and chin and fit snuggly across your cheeks helps reduce the spray of respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth. Wearing a face mask may also protect you from infection.

    Face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19

    illustration

  • How to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19

    How to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 - illustration

    Wearing well-fitting face masks helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. For masks to work, they have to be worn properly. Choose a mask with two or more layers that completely covers your mouth and nose and fits snugly against the sides of your face, leaving no gaps. Do not wear a mask that is too loose on the sides. Do not pull the mask low on your nose, below your nose, or below your mouth or chin. Do not leave your chin or your mouth exposed or dangle the mask from one ear. Do not wear the mask in any other way that does not entirely cover your mouth and nose. Wash your hands before and after wearing the mask and use only the loops of the mask to put it on and take it off. Do not touch the front of the mask while wearing it. If you use a cloth mask, wash it and dry it daily and keep it in a clean, dry place.

    How to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19

    illustration

  • COVID-19 vaccine

    COVID-19 vaccine - illustration

    COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting COVID-19. They are a vital tool to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine works with your body’s immune system against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.While COVID-19 vaccines will not make you sick, they may cause certain side effects and flu-like symptoms. This is to be expected. These symptoms may be a sign that your body is making antibodies against the virus. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

    COVID-19 vaccine

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Self Care

 

Tests for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

 
 

Review Date: 2/22/2023

Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 06/22/2023.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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