Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus that can make people very sick. Most people who get sick with COVID-19 have only a few symptoms, such as a cough or a fever. But some people can get very, very sick, especially older people or those who already have health problems. Even after getting better, some people still have health issues for more than four weeks.
The virus spreads in three main ways:
- Breathing in tiny droplets from a sick person.
- Getting tiny droplets on your eyes, nose, or mouth, like when someone coughs.
- Touching your face with hands that carry the virus.
People with COVID-19 can have different symptoms, from feeling a bit sick to having a hard time breathing. The signs usually appear 2-14 days after contracting the virus.
Common symptoms include:
- fever
- cough
- trouble breathing
- tiredness
- muscle aches
- headache
- loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- nausea
- diarrhea
The symptoms might differ with new versions of the virus, and they can also depend on whether someone has been vaccinated.
To stay safe, it's important to follow the advice of health experts like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They recommend staying informed about the virus and doing things to protect yourself and others.