About COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus spreads easily from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets and small airborne particles that contain the virus. These particles can be breathed in or can land on a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, which may lead to infection.
Risk factors for getting COVID-19 include:
- Living with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, especially in indoor or poorly ventilated settings.
- Being in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces during a period of virus spreading (increased cases of COVID-19).
It is important to note that people can get COVID-19 more than once.
People at higher risk of getting more severe COVID-19 include:
- Older adults: As people get older, their immune systems are less strong, and they are more likely to have chronic conditions.
- Young children, especially infants under 6 months old
- People with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised). Examples of this risk include people who have:
- Transplants and are on anti-rejection medications
- Autoimmune diseases and receiving immunosuppressant medications
- Cancer
- HIV
- Immunodeficiency diseases
- People with certain chronic (long-term) conditions, including:
- Cerebrovascular disease, including stroke
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis or fatty liver disease
- Chronic lung disease, including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Diabetes
- Heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy
- Sickle cell disease
- Tuberculosis
- People who smoke (current or former smokers)
- People who are obese
- People who are pregnant or are less than 6-weeks post-pregnancy
People who have risk factors for more severe disease may need to take additional precautions to avoiding getting COVID-19 or contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible if they think they might have COVID.
Vaccines are available to help reduce the risk of severe COVID-19. Pemivibart (Pemgarda) is authorized for pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19 in certain people 12 years of age or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and may not have an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.
There are a wide range of symptoms associated with COVID-19. Symptoms may start 2-14 days after being exposed to COVID. Symptoms also may range from mild to severe.
Possible symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain or aches
- Headache
- Loss of smell or taste
- Sore throat
- Nose congestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Warning signs that need immediate medical attention include:
- Trouble breathing, bluish or gray lips, face, or nail beds, or oxygen levels that are lower than recommended by a healthcare professional
- Pressure or pain in the chest
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness/ unusually hard to wake up from sleep
Some people have symptoms that last for weeks or months after COVID-19. This is sometimes called long COVID and may include fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, or other ongoing symptoms. People with persistent or worsening symptoms should talk with a healthcare professional.
It's important to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, and the severity can vary from person to person. Additionally, some individuals may exhibit atypical symptoms or have no symptoms at all. Other conditions, such as the flu, may have similar symptoms. If you suspect you have COVID-19 or are experiencing any concerning symptoms, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate guidance.
To diagnose COVID-19, a saliva sample or a swab from the nose or throat may be collected and tested for evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tests may be performed using at-home test kits or by a healthcare provider.
- For at-home tests, read the instructions that come with the test kit before starting. Different tests may have different instructions regarding how to prepare the sample and the timing for checking the test result. Follow the instructions exactly to get an accurate result.
- Many doctor’s offices, clinics, and pharmacies can perform COVID-19 tests. Molecular tests, such as PCR tests, and antigen tests can detect current infection. Antibody tests look for evidence of a past immune response and are not used to diagnose a current COVID-19 infection.
A negative at-home test does not always rule out COVID-19, especially early after exposure or soon after symptoms begin. If symptoms continue or exposure was recent, a repeat test or a laboratory-based test may be needed. Follow the test instructions and ask a healthcare professional what to do if symptoms are severe or worsening.
The healthcare provider may perform additional examinations, tests, or procedures based upon individual factors, such as symptoms or presence of risk factors for high severity COVID-19. These may include:
- Medical History and Physical Exam: The healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, other medical conditions, and medications. They will perform a physical exam that will include checking your throat and lungs.
- Blood tests may be performed to check the health of your immune system and organs such as the liver and kidneys, or for signs of infection or inflammation
- Imaging tests A chest X-ray or CT scan may be done to assess lung involvement and complications.
It's important to note that the specific examinations, tests, and procedures performed may vary depending on individual circumstances and healthcare provider recommendations. Always consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice.
The goals of treatment for COVID-19 are to reduce mortality rates, improve symptoms, and prevent severe complications. Here are various approaches used to achieve these goals:
People who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should contact a healthcare professional as soon as symptoms start or after a positive test. Some antiviral treatments work best when started within the first few days of illness, so early evaluation is important.
Medications:
- Fever-reducers and pain relievers: Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs may help reduce fever or alleviate minor aches and pains. Some people with certain medical conditions should not take these medications. Check with the doctor regarding the medication and dose that is right for your individual factors.
- Antiviral Drugs: These medications target the virus itself, inhibiting its replication and reducing viral load. They may help to prevent COVID from progressing to severe COVID.
- Anti-inflammatory Drugs: These drugs help suppress the excessive immune response triggered by the virus, reducing inflammation and preventing organ damage. Some of these medications are only given in the hospital.
Additional therapies may be needed for more severe COVID-19, including:
- Oxygen Therapy: It helps maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood for patients with respiratory distress.
- Ventilatory Support: In severe cases, mechanical ventilation may be necessary to assist with breathing.
- Convalescent plasma: Plasma containing antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19 may be used for some hospitalized patients or people with weakened immune systems when a healthcare professional determines it is appropriate.
- Organ Function Support Aggressive management of organ function is crucial in severe cases to prevent further complications.
Health Behavior Changes: People with COVID may consider taking action to help prevent spreading the disease to others. This may include:
- Social Distancing: Maintaining physical distance from others helps reduce the spread of the virus.
- Hand Hygiene: Frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer can prevent transmission.
- Wearing Masks: Masks help prevent respiratory droplets from spreading and protect others.
- Vaccination: Vaccines spark the immune response, helping the body fight off infection.
If you have COVID-19, stay home and avoid close contact with others while you are sick. You can usually return to normal activities when symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. Taking extra precautions, such as wearing a mask, improving ventilation, and practicing good hand hygiene, can help reduce spread to others.
Specific medications and treatment plans may vary based on a person’s symptoms, risk factors, other medical conditions, and medications. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice about treatment options, medication types, and dosing.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.