COVID-19 Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Trusted Source for Accurate Information: CDC
   • To meet the high demand for COVID-19 information, when possible, find your answers online. Here is the most reliable website:
     • CDC website: www.cdc.gov
   • Always follow the most current CDC recommendations if they are different than those in this care guide.
2. COVID-19 Symptoms:
   • The most common symptoms are cough, sore throat, headache and fever. Some patients progress to shortness of breath (trouble breathing).
   • Other common symptoms are chills, shivering (shaking), runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue (tiredness) and loss of smell or taste.
   • The CDC also includes the following less-common symptoms: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
   • Some people may have very mild symptoms. Some can have no symptoms, but still spread the disease.
3. COVID-19 Facts:
   • Incubation period: average 3 to 5 days (range 2 to 14 days) after coming in contact with the secretions of a person who has COVID-19. Incubation periods can vary depending on the variant.
   • No Symptoms, but Infected: some infected patients have no symptoms.
   • Mild Infections: most people with symptoms have a mild illness, much like normal flu or a bad cold. The symptoms usually last 2 weeks.
   • Severe Infections: in general, severe infection refers to patients who develop trouble breathing from viral pneumonia. Unvaccinated adults have the highest rate of this complication. Many of these need to be admitted to the hospital. People with complications generally recover in 3 to 6 weeks. Severe infections are very rare in people who are up to date with vaccines and boosters.
   • Deaths: older adults, especially those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, obesity or weak immune systems, have the highest death rates.
   • Vaccine: safe and effective vaccines are available. At this time, COVID-19 vaccines have been tested and are FDA approved for ages 6 months and older. Stay up to date by getting all recommended shots when eligible. Check the CDC website to see if you are current on your vaccines.
   • Breakthrough cases are COVID-19 infections that happen despite vaccine protection. They are more common with new variants. Many of these infections do not cause any symptoms. The vaccine prevents almost all hospital admissions and deaths.
   • Treatment: anti-viral treatments for COVID-19 are available. They are mainly used for high risk patients and those who are hospitalized.
   • Prevention: the COVID-19 vaccine and booster are the best way to prevent serious infections.
4. COVID-19 - How it is Spread:
   • COVID-19 is spread from person to person.
   • The virus spreads when respiratory droplets are produced when a person coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings. The infected droplets can then be inhaled by a nearby person or land on the surface of their eyes.
   • Most infected people also have respiratory secretions on their hands. These secretions are spread to healthy people on doorknobs, faucet handles, etc. The virus then gets spread to healthy people when they touch their face or rub their eyes.
   • These are how most respiratory viruses spread.

When to Call for COVID-19 Diagnosed or Suspected

Care Advice

Diagnosed or Suspected COVID-19 with Mild Symptoms - Treatment

COVID-19 Infection: What You Should Know about It

• You have been diagnosed as having COVID-19 by a positive test (home kit or lab) OR
• You or your doctor suspect COVID-19 because it is widespread in your community and you have developed symptoms that match.
• Get a COVID-19 test if you have COVID-19 symptoms or had possible exposure. See Testing section below.
• Most infections are mild.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Treatment of Symptoms

• The treatment is the same whether you have COVID-19, influenza or some other respiratory virus.
• You should stay home until:
• fever is gone for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medicines)
• you have only mild symptoms and are improving
• Reason: you want to protect other people from getting it.
• For the following 5 days, take extra precautions. Wash hands often and avoid close contact with others (CDC March 2024). Avoid the elderly and people with weak immune systems or chronic health problems
• Treat the symptoms that are bothering you the most. See other Care Guides (such as Sore Throat or Cough) for details of treatment, if needed.
• Antiviral treatments have been developed for patients who are high risk for complications. They work best when given early. Check with your doctor for the most current information.
• Antibiotics are not helpful for viral infections.
• You don't need to call or see your doctor unless you are at high risk for complications, develop trouble breathing or become worse in any other way.

Fever Treatment

• For fever above 102° F (39° C) you may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• For lower fevers, fever medicines are not needed. Reason: fevers turn on your body's immune system. Fever helps fight the infection.
• Exception: if the patient also has pain, treat it.
• Fluids: offer cool fluids in unlimited amounts. Reason: to prevent dehydration. Staying well-hydrated also helps the body sweat and give off heat.

Cough Medicines:

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Cough Syrups: some people find that cough syrups help decrease coughing. Dextromethorphan is the most common cough suppressant in OTC cough syrups. Often the letters "DM" appear in the name.
• OTC Cough Drops: cough drops can help a lot. They work best for mild coughs. They soothe the tickling feeling in the back of the throat. Cough drops are easy to carry with you.
• Home Remedy - Hard Candy: hard candy works just as well as OTC cough drops. People who have diabetes should use sugar-free candy.
• Home Remedy - Honey: honey has been shown to help decrease coughing at night. The adult dose is 2 teaspoons (10 mL) at bedtime.

Sore Throat Pain Relief

• Sip warm chicken broth or apple juice.
• Suck on hard candy or a throat lozenge.
• Gargle with warm salt water four times a day. Make this using ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 oz. (240 mL) of warm water.
• Avoid smoking.
• Pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve): use if pain interferes with swallowing. Not needed for mild pain.

Muscle Pains - Treatment:

• COVID-19 can normally cause muscle pains and body aches.
• Massage: gently massage any sore muscles.
• Stretching: gently stretch any sore muscles.
• Apply Heat: use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, 3 times daily.
• Warm bath: for widespread muscle pains, consider a warm bath for 20 minutes 2 times a day. Gently exercise the sore muscles under water.
• Pain medicine: for widespread body aches, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) every 4 hours OR ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) every 6 hours as needed. Not needed for mild aches.

Fluids - Stay Well-hydrated

• Drink lots of fluids. Water is best.
• Goal: keep the patient well hydrated.
• It loosens up any phlegm in the lungs. Then it's easier to cough up.
• It also helps the body sweat and give off heat.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Shortness of breath occurs
• Trouble breathing occurs
• Your symptoms get worse

How to Protect Others - When You Are Sick:

• Stay home until fever is gone for 24 hours and symptoms are mild and improving. Do not allow visitors.
• For the following 5 days, take extra precautions. Wash hands often and avoid close contact with others (CDC March 2024). Carefully avoid any contact with people 65 and older. Also avoid people with weak immune systems or other chronic health problems.
• Do not go to work or school.
• Cover the Cough. Cough and sneeze into your shirt sleeve or inner elbow. Don't cough into your hand or the air. If available, sneeze into a tissue and throw it into a trash can.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. After coughing or sneezing are important times.
• Don't share glasses, plates or eating utensils.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Testing Questions

• If COVID-19 is suspected, get a test to know for sure. You can't tell by symptoms. Reason: most respiratory viruses cause similar symptoms.
• Home self-test kits are easy to get at many grocery and drug stores.
• Most doctor's offices, retail clinics, and urgent care centers also offer testing.
• Here are some facts that may answer some of your questions:
• Diagnostic tests are performed on nasal or mouth secretions. The tests can tell us if you have a COVID-19 infection now. Timing is important on when to do this test:
• With Symptoms. Get a test within 3 days of onset of symptoms.
• Without Symptoms and a COVID-19 close contact. You can get a test on day 5 after the last day of exposure.

COVID-19 Prevention

COVID-19 Vaccine - Get Your COVID-19 Shot(s):

• Stay current with your COVID-19 shot(s). Vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health action. They are the most powerful weapon we have against deadly infectious diseases. Follow the science.
• Safe and effective vaccines are now available for people age 6 months and older.
• Get your COVID-19 vaccine(s). It could save your life and protect your family. To see if you are current with your vaccine(s), check the CDC website.
• Vaccine Sites: find a nearby vaccine site at vaccines.gov or call your doctor's office.

COVID-19 - How to Protect Yourself and Family from Catching It - The Basics:

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine(s) when eligible. It is your best protection against this serious infection.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Consider wearing a face mask when community spread is high.
• Wash hands often with soap and water (very important). Always do this before you eat.

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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