What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 is a respiratory virus that was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since its identification, it has spread throughout the world person-to-person and mutated to form what are referred to as variants (most well-known of which are called Delta and Omicron).
How does COVID-19 spread?
Close personal contact (touching, hugging, shaking hands).
Droplets from coughing, sneezing, or sometimes even talking/yelling. Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include:
- Fever
- Headache Cough/Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps/Diarrhea
Who is at the most risk of developing severe disease?
65 years of age and older
People of any age with serious underlying medical conditions, such as:
– Lung disease – Obesity
– Heart disease – Weakened immune systems
– Diabetes
What you should do if you are concerned you have COVID-19
Stay home except to get medical care – most people have a mild illness and can recover at home Separate yourself from other people
Get tested
Monitor symptoms and temperature
Seek emergency medical care if you have:
– Trouble breathing
– New confusion
– Chest pressure/apin
How can you prevent the spread of COVID-19?
– Pale, gray, or blue colored skin, lips, or nail beds
Get a COVID-19 vaccine; Pfizer & Moderna are common – they are safe, effective, & free. Wear a mask in indoor public places if you are:
– Not fully vaccinated
– Fully vaccinated in an area with high transmission
– Fully vaccinated with weakened immune system
– In general, if outdoors, there is no need to wear a mask Wash your hands often
Cover coughs and sneezes
Stay 6 feet from others
Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated places
Get a rapid test to prevent spread to others
Maninder Pabla ,MD
President and CEO ConnectCare Hospitalists,LLC
IAKC – Board of Trustees