What You Need To Know About Coronavirus - INFOGRAPHIC
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
C VDI What you need to know about CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 9 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 1 What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? What are severe complications from this virus? Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness Many patients have pneumonia in both lungs. that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified How can I help protect myself? during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed Can people in the U.S. get COVID-19? to the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in China, There are simple everyday preventive actions to and limited spread among close contacts has been detected help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. in some countries outside China, including the United States. At this time, however, this virus is NOT currently These include spreading in communities in the United States. Right now, • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. the greatest risk of infection is for people in China or people • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with who have traveled to China. Risk of infection is dependent unwashed hands. on exposure. Close contacts of people who are infected are • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 at greater risk of exposure, for example health care workers seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains and close contacts of people who are infected with the virus at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. that causes COVID-19. CDC continues to closely monitor the situation. If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory Have there been cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.? illness to others, you should Yes. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was • Stay home when you are sick. reported on January 21, 2020. The current count of cases • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the of COVID-19 in the United States is available on CDC’s tissue in the trash. webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects cases-in-us.html. and surfaces. How does COVID-19 spread? What should I do if I recently traveled to China The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an and got sick? animal source, but now it seems to be spreading from person If you were in China within the past 14 days and feel sick to person. It’s important to note that person-to-person with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should seek spread can happen on a continuum. Some diseases are highly medical care. Call the office of your health care provider contagious (like measles), while other diseases are less so. At before you go, and tell them about your travel and your this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably the virus that symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care causes COVID-19 is spreading between people. Learn what without exposing other people to your illness. While sick, is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses avoid contact with people, don’t go out and delay any travel at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/ to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others. transmission.html. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Is there a vaccine? There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed illness with symptoms of to the virus that causes COVID-19. • fever • cough Is there a treatment? • shortness of breath There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms. For more information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19 CS 314937-A 02/21/2020