Coronavirus (COVID - 19)

Coronavirus (COVID - 19) is a virus that is spread through saliva droplets and nasal discharge.  These can spread by coughing, sneezing, or talking (WHO, 2020).  Close personal contact increases the spread of the virus as does touching facial areas and not washing hands (NCDHHS, 2020).  It is also thought that touching a surface that has the surface then touching face or mouth can also spread the virus (CDC, 2020).

Symptoms of Coronavirus may appear 2-14 days after being exposed and includes:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• aches and pains
• shaking with chills
• new loss of taste or smell
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• congestion
• running nose
• sore throat (WHO, 2022)(NCDHHS, 2020)(CDC, 2020).

Symptoms that would constitute being an emergency include:

• trouble breathing
• persistent pain or pressure in chest
• new confusion
• inability to arouse
• blush lips or face  (CDC, 2020).

When an individual becomes infected, they are more likely to experience mild or moderate symptoms and not require treatment.  People who are more susceptible to becoming infected with Coronavirus include:

• elderly
• individuals with underlying medical issues
• cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• chronic respiratory disease
• asthma
• COPD
• Cancer (WHO).

If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus, call your doctor for next steps. 

There are several things that people can do to protect themselves and those around them from Coronavirus.  These things include:

• washing hands with soap and water
• use hand sanitizer (in conjunction with washing hands)
• maintain a minimum of 3 feet (6 feet recommended) between yourself and others (especially if they are coughing and/or sneezing)
• don't touch your face your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• self-isolate if exhibiting symptoms
• don't smoke
• social isolation  (WHO, 2020).

Currently, there are viral and antibody tests that can test for Coronavirus.  Viral tests test for current infection and antibody tests test for a previous infection (CDC, 2020).

There are now vaccines for Coronavirus available.  There are three types of vaccines available.  Pfizer and Moderna have developed mRNA vaccines which teach cells how to make a protien which will trigger the body's immune response.  Johnson & Johnson has created a viral vector vaccine that presents a modified version of a different virus that delivers instructions on how to fight the COVID virus.  (CDC, 2022).  Pfizer and Moderna also provide a bivalent vaccine that also include components of the original COVID virus as well as the omicron variant  (CDC, 2023)  To hear about an experience about receiving a COVID vaccine watch the video below.

If someone has tested positive, typically symptoms will go away on their own, but medications to reduce fever or pain may be given.  Drinking fluids and getting rest are important steps (AAFP, 2020).

To track cases of Coronavirus go to the interactive map provided by John Hopkins at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

To complete a self-check to help determine whether you should be tested, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

UPDATED 2/12/2023

Anerican Academy of Family Physicians. (2020)  Coronavirus Disease (COVID - 19).     

                Familydoctor.  Retrieved from https://familydoctor.org/condition/coronavirus/

CDC. (2020) Coronavirus (COVID - 19).  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved                      from  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC. (2023)  COVID Bivalent Vaccine Boosters.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-bivalent-vaccine-boosters

CDC. (2022)  Overview of COVID- 19 Vaccines.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/overview-COVID-19-vaccines.html

CDC. (2020)  Symptoms of Coronavirus.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

CDC. (2020).  What you should know about COVID-19 to Protect Yourself and Others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

John Hopkins University and Medicine. (2020) Coronavirus Resource Center. John Hopkins                                University and Medicine.  Retrieved from https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

NCDHHS. (2020) What is COVID - 19?  North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

                Retrieved from https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019- covid-19-response-north-carolina/what-covid-19

WHO. (2020)  Coronavirus.  World Health Organization.  Retrieved                                                                      from https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3