(Summarized from CDC guidance, please I encourage you to subscribe to CDC boletines, links are at the bottom of this Blog)

Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS THAT COVID-19 CAN CAUSE?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. 

Q: HOW DOES THE VIRUS SPREAD?

This virus probably originally emerged from an animal source but now seems to be spreading from person-to-person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It’s not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person. More information about the source and spread of COVID-19 is available on the CDC’s Situation Summary.

DO I NEED TO SELF-ISOLATE FOR COVID-19?

If you’re not sure whether or not you need to self-isolate, review CDC guidance. They are for people with no fever or respiratory systems and are not healthcare workers. 

Q: IS THERE A VACCINE?

Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19.

Q: WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

Learn about COVID-19 Treatment.

Q: WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF AND THE COMMUNITY?

It is important for you to practice social distancing,hand-washing, and take care of your overall health. 

 Q:HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS COVID-19 OR SOMETHING ELSE, LIKE THE FLU?

Symptoms may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you have these symptoms and traveled to any CDC Level 3 location, inform your health care provider and also, if you have had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who recently traveled to CDC Level 3 location, it is important to seek advice from a health care provider. 

Anyone with flu-like symptoms should call  his primary healthcare provider to seek advice.

If someone you know has flu-like symptoms,encourage them to consult their healthcare providers,immediately and tell them to follow the same  recommendations when protecting oneself against the flu. 

Q: IS IT NECESSARY TO WEAR MASKS?

 So far they are only recommended for those with symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose), to reduce the spread to others. The evidence regarding using masks for prevention is mixed. The CDC and leading public health authorities are not currently recommending masks for prevention of this virus. Keep yourself updated in case it changes. Again, the best prevention that we know of is good personal hygiene habits as you find at CDC. But remember,if someone is wearing a mask 😷, it doesn’t means they are sick ,so don’t stigmatized.

Q: HOW DO YOU TEST A PERSON FOR COVID-19?

At this time, diagnostic testing for COVID-19 can be conducted only by your designated government laboratories and the CDC. Consult your your healthcare provider working with these agencies to gather laboratory specimens that will be sent for possible testing. They will guide you trough the symptoms and final decision,if you are a candidate.

Q: AM I AT RISK FOR COVID-19 FROM A PACKAGE OR PRODUCTS SHIPPING FROM CHINA?

Because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. 

Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.  Is up to you if you want to take additional precautions.

Say alert, follow the government instructions, cooperate, stay informed. We will succeed.