Coronavirus ​Disease ​2019 ​(COVID-​19)​

What causes COVID-19?

The virus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. The original source of the virus is unknown. The virus spreads and infects people fairly easily. Some people who have been infected in an area may be unsure how or where they became infected. The virus is most commonly spread through droplets of fluid that a person expels into the air by talking, coughing, singing, or sneezing. It may be spread if you touch a surface with virus on it, such as a handle or object, or the skin of an infected person, and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Who is at risk for COVID-19?

You are at risk for infection if you’ve been in close contact with people who are actively infected or sick with this virus. You are at higher risk if you are not fully vaccinated and:

• Recently traveled to or live in an area with a COVID-19 outbreak

• Had contact with a person who was diagnosed with or who may have COVID-19

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms can vary a lot from person to person. Some people have no symptoms (this is called asymptomatic). Some people have mild symptoms, and some people report feeling very sick. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Symptoms can include:

• Fever or chills

• Coughing

• Trouble breathing

• Sore throat

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Headache or body aches

• Tiredness (fatigue)

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or belly (abdominal) pain

• New loss of sense of smell or taste

• Rash

You can check your symptoms with the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will look at the risk for COVID-19 in your community and with your contacts and travel, and will ask about your symptoms. If your healthcare provider thinks you may have the COVID-19 virus, they will suggest testing for the virus. Know your testing options with the CDC's COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool . COVID-19 is diagnosed by:

• Diagnostic test. Diagnostic tests tell if you have a current COVID-19 infection. There are 2 types of diagnostic tests:

  • Viral (molecular) test. You may also hear it called a PCR or RT-PCR test. Viral tests are very accurate. A viral test looks for the SARS-CoV-2 virus's genetic material. There are a few ways to do this. A nose-throat swab may be wiped inside your nose to the very back of your throat. Other tests are either done by nose or throat swab. Or a sample of your saliva may be taken. Availability of tests vary by location. Depending on the test, some results are back within about 30 minutes. Some tests must be sent to a lab and can take several days before the results are back. Home test kits are now available but vary by location. Some need a prescription. Some kits get results quickly at home. Others must be sent to a lab for the results.
  • Antigen test. This looks for proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is done by a nose or throat swab, or sometimes by saliva. Depending on the test, some results are back in about 15 to 30 minutes. Positive results are highly accurate, but false positives can happen, especially in places where few people have the virus. Antigen tests are more likely to miss a COVID-19 infection than a viral (molecular) test. If your antigen test is negative but you have symptoms of COVID-19, your healthcare provider may order a viral test.

The FDA has authorized a COVID-19 breath test. It finds signs of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the breath. The test is done at providers' offices, hospitals, and mobile testing sites. It's not widely available at this time.

If your healthcare provider thinks or confirms that you have COVID-19, you may have other tests. These tests may include:

• Antibody blood test. Antibody tests can be done to find out if a person has recently been infected with the virus. The accuracy and availability of antibody tests vary. An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection because it can take up to a few weeks after infection to make antibodies. Current antibody tests can't tell whether you are immune from COVID-19 and are not approved to test for immunity.

• Sputum culture. A small sample of mucus coughed from your lungs (sputum) may be collected if you have a moist cough. It may be checked for the virus or to look for pneumonia.

• Imaging tests. You may have a chest X-ray or CT scan.

Note about re-infection and immunity

How is COVID-19 treated?

The most proven treatments right now are those to help your body while it fights the virus. This is known as supportive care. If you have confirmed COVID-19, talk with your healthcare provider about your situation and risk. You may qualify for certain medicines authorized by the FDA to prevent severe COVID-19 infection. Supportive care may include:

• Getting rest. This helps your body fight the illness.

• Staying hydrated. Drinking liquids is the best way to prevent dehydration. Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids every day, or as advised by your provider. Also check with your provider about which fluids are best for you. Don't drink fluids that contain caffeine or alcohol.

• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine. These are used to help ease pain and reduce fever. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for which OTC medicine to use.

For severe illness, you may need to stay in the hospital. Care during severe illness may include:

• IV (intravenous) fluids. These are given through a vein to help keep your body hydrated.

• Oxygen. Supplemental oxygen or ventilation with a breathing machine (ventilator) may be given. This is done so you get enough oxygen in your body.

• Prone positioning. Depending on how sick you are during your hospital stay, your healthcare team may turn you regularly on your stomach. This is called prone positioning. It's done to help increase the amount of oxygen you get to your lungs. Follow your healthcare team's instructions on position changes while you're in the hospital. Also follow their discharge advice on the best positions to help your breathing once you go home.

• Remdesivir. The FDA has authorized an IV (intravenous) antiviral medicine called remdesivir. It works by stopping the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the body. It's not available for everyone with COVID-19. It's approved only for people with COVID-19 who are at high risk for severe infection. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more.

• Steroids and other anti-inflammatory medicines. These are used to treat the intense inflammation that can occur with COVID-19. This inflammation is a major cause of progressive respiratory symptoms, kidney failure and death.

• COVID-19 convalescent plasma. People who have had COVID-19 and are fully recovered may be asked by their healthcare team to consider donating plasma. This is called COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation. Plasma from people fully recovered from COVID-19 may contain antibodies to help fight COVID-19 in people who are currently ill with the disease. The FDA has authorized it for emergency use in certain people with early but serious COVID-19. Talk with your provider to learn more about convalescent plasma donation and whether you qualify to donate.

• Monoclonal antibody therapy. The FDA has authorized these treatments for emergency use for certain people who have a positive COVID-19 viral test and have mild to moderate symptoms but are not in the hospital. Monoclonal antibody therapy reduces the risk of needing emergency room or hospital care for COVID-19, and may reduce the chance of needing a ventilator or dying from the illness. It's approved for people 12 years and older who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg) and are at increased risk for progressive or severe COVID-19. This includes people who are 65 years or older and people with certain chronic conditions. Monoclonal antibody therapy is not approved for people who:

  • Are hospitalized for COVID-19, or
  • Need oxygen therapy for COVID-19, or
  • Need oxygen therapy for a chronic condition and need to have oxygen flow increased because of COVID-19.

What are possible complications of COVID-19?

The virus can cause infection (pneumonia) in lungs, kidney or heart disease, brain and spinal symptoms, and other complications. In some cases, this can cause death, especially in older adults and people who have serious health conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes. Many people have ongoing fatigue, shortness of breath, racing heart, loss of appetite or change of taste or smell after COVID-19, and these can persist for weeks or months.

Rarely, some children have developed severe complications called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C seems to be similar to Kawasaki disease, a rare condition causing inflammation of blood vessels and body organs. MIS can also occur in adults, but less frequently The CDC advises healthcare providers to report to local health departments any person under age 21 years old who is ill enough to be in the hospital and has all of the following:

• A fever over 100.4°F (38.0°C) for more than 24 hours and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test or exposure to the virus in the last 4 weeks

• Inflammation in at least 2 organs such as the heart, lungs, or kidneys with lab tests that show inflammation

• No other diagnoses besides COVID-19 explain the child's symptoms

What can I do to prevent COVID-19?

The best prevention is to have no contact with the virus. Follow safety advice such as social distancing, wearing masks as advised, using good hand hygiene, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines

Who needs a third dose?

Booster shots

Prepare and protect yourself from COVID-19

If you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

How to manage COVID-19

If you've been diagnosed with COVID-19:

• Stay home. Don’t leave your home unless you need to get medical care. Don't go to work, school, or public areas. Don't use public transportation or taxis.

• Follow all instructions from your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider’s office before going. They can prepare and give you instructions. This will help prevent the virus from spreading.

• Limit contact with other people in your home and don't have visitors in your house

• Wear a well-fitting face mask. This is to protect other people from your germs. If you are not able to wear a mask, your caregivers should when you are in the same room with them. Wear the mask so that it covers your nose, mouth, and chin. Make sure there is no air is flowing from the top, bottom, or sides of your mask.

• Don’t share household items or food.

• Cover your face with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away. Then wash your hands.

• Wash your hands often.

If you are caring for a sick person:

• Follow all instructions from healthcare staff.

• Wash your hands often.

• Wear protective clothing as advised.

• Make sure the sick person wears a mask. If they can't wear a mask, don't stay in the same room with the person. If you must be in the room, wear a face mask. Wear the mask so that it covers both the nose and mouth.

• Keep track of the sick person’s symptoms.

• Clean surfaces, fabrics, and laundry thoroughly.

• Keep other people and pets away from the sick person.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider:

• If you’ve recently traveled or have been in an area with COVID-19 and have symptoms

• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and your symptoms are worse

Key points about COVID-19

• COVID-19 is mainly a respiratory illness but more severe cases can involve many parts of the body.

• It's caused by a new (novel) type of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus is mainly spread through droplets of fluid that a person coughs or sneezes into the air. It may be spread if you touch a surface with virus on it, such as a handle or object, or the skin of someone with the infection, and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

• The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and to follow safety precautions. Wash your hands often and disinfect high touch surfaces like door knobs. Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Follow safety precautions, including social distancing and mask requirements. See CDC's safety precautions.

• Know your community's COVID-19 Community Level. If you are in an area of high COVID-19 Community Level, the CDC advises that everyone age 2 or older wear a mask indoors in public areas, even if they are fully vaccinated.
• Several vaccines are available to prevent COVID-19. One vaccine has been approved for people as young as 5. Pregnant or breastfeeding people are advised to be vaccinated. The vaccines are given as a shot (injection) in the arm muscle. A 1-dose or 2-dose vaccine may be given. If you get the 2-dose vaccine, the second dose is given several weeks after the first.
• Some people with certain conditions may need a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna as part of their initial series.
• People age 12 or older can get a COVID-19 booster shot. Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccine is advised for you depending on your age and needs.

• Symptoms include fever, coughing, and trouble breathing. Some people report digestive upset, loss of appetite, runny nose, headache and body aches, chills or repeated shaking with chills, and new loss of taste and smell. In some cases, this virus can cause lung infection (pneumonia).

• If you have COVID-19, treatment is given to help your body while it fights the virus. This is known as supportive care. In addition, those with more serious cases or those at risk for serious disease will be offered certain medicines and other treatments aimed at the virus and the inflammation it causes.

• If you are or were in an area with COVID-19 and have a fever or other symptoms (even if you've been fully vaccinated), stay away from other people. Call your healthcare provider. Explain that you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have symptoms. Do this before going to any hospital or clinic so as not to spread an illness to others. Wait for instructions.

• If your healthcare provider thinks you may have COVID-19, they will work closely with your local health department. Follow all instructions from your healthcare provider.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you don't take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Date last modified: 4/18/2022

Medical Reviewer: Barry Zingman MD

Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN

Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN

© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.