Updated March 30, 2020
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Symptoms:
People may be incubating the virus for 2 to 14 days before developing symptoms
Dry cough
Fever (eventually), not necessarily everyone
Sore throat
Fatigue
Shortness of Breath (severe cases, but this is the time to consult a physician)
Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill
When to Seek Medical Attention:
Difficulty breathing
Persistent chest pain or pressures
Confusion or inability to be aroused
Cyanosis of the lips and face
Myths:
Will nasal lavage protect you from Covid-19? NO
Will standard surgical mask be enough. NO, only N95 masks, 95% of particles 3 microns in diameter or larger are blocked.
Is Covid-19 a mutation of the common flu. NO, Covid-19 is not a mutation of the other influenza, it is a different strain of Coronavirus transferred from another animal species. However, the symptoms are very similar and thus difficult to tell without a test. If a person test negative for Influenza, then they most likely have Covid-19.
Is Coronavirus a death sentence? NO, 80% of the patients who contract Covid-19 will recover.
Is Covid-19 less virulent than the flu? NO, Covid-19 is deadlier then the flu.
Can I get rid of or prevent the virus by drinking water every 15 minutes or gargling with vinegar? NO, however staying hydrated is good.
Persons who have COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue home isolation under the following conditions (CDC)
At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and
Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized molecular assay for COVID-19 from at least two consecutive nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens)
Footnote
*This recommendation will prevent most, but may not prevent all instances of secondary spread. The risk of transmission after recovery, is likely very substantially less than that during illness.
**All test results should be final before isolation is ended. Testing guidance is based upon limited information and is subject to change as more information becomes available.
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