About COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus is spreads easily from person-to-person. The most common transmission occurs when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs out small droplets or particles containing the virus. The droplets can be breathed in or land directly in person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, leading to infection.
Risk factors for getting COVID-19 include:
- Living with someone who has COVID-19.
- Being in close contact for 30 minutes with someone who has COVID-19.
- 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 with severe COPD may require hospitalization. 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 prevent the risk of getting severe COVID. The US Food and Drug Administration has also authorized emergency use of an investigational drug, pemivibart (Pemgarda), to help prevent COVID in people 12 years of age or older who have moderate-to-severe immunocompromise (are immunosuppressed) and may not have an adequate response to a COVID vaccine.
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 sign symptoms to get immediate medical attention include:
- Trouble breathing, especially if lips or face become bluish
- Pressure or pain in the chest
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness/ unusually hard to wake up from sleep
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 sample of saliva or swab from the nose or throat is collected to test for evidence of SARS-CoV-2 virus 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 tests. Some of these tests include PCR or antibody tests that detect whether the virus is present.
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:
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.
- Immune Plasma Treatments: Convalescent plasma containing antibodies from recovered patients is used to neutralize the virus
- 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.
It's important to note that specific medications and treatment protocols may vary based on individual patient factors. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding 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.