Though we’ve been living with it since March, COVID-19 is a relatively new disease. Science and medicine are working diligently to understand the new disease and effectively treat it, including distributing a vaccine in the near future.
In the meantime, its symptoms — cough, fever and respiratory distress, such as shortness of breath — resemble those associated with the flu and generally appear two to 14 days after exposure. It is highly contagious and poses serious risks to people with related health problems, especially people 60 years and older.
“We’ve reached the point in community spread of the virus that it’s essential that people take precautionary measures to minimize their risk of exposure,” cautioned Dr. John Brooks, chief medical officer at McLaren Port Huron. “It doesn’t mean living in fear, but instead being more cautious to protect each other and our community.”
Practice social distancing and good hygiene
For the community, and the health risks the coronavirus poses, Dr. Brooks recommends the following:
- “Use everyday preventive measures to stop the spread of germs, just as you would do for the flu. Hand washing with soap and warm water for 20 seconds is a good idea. If you don't have soap and water available, alcohol sanitizers can be used.”
- “Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth because the virus on your hands can be getting into your body through the mucus membranes,” Dr. Brooks said.
- “Wear a mask – covering your nose and mouth completely will help limit the amount of virus you spread, as well as limit your exposure to particles in the air.”
- “Avoid contact with sick people, and if you're sick, stay home. Coughs and sneezes should be covered with tissues and disposed of in trashes. Frequently touched objects should be cleaned and disinfected, because basically it's the secretions. It's the virus hanging around.”
- “Social distancing is strongly encouraged. The CDC guidelines recommend keeping distance from other people and avoiding events or gatherings of large groups, especially indoors.”
If you're experiencing coronavirus symptoms, follow these steps
If you develop symptoms of cough, fever and respiratory illness and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, the CDC advises to take the following steps:
- Stay home, except to get medical care.
- Monitor symptoms from home. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).
- Before seeking treatment, call ahead before visiting your doctor. This will help the health care provider’s office keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
- If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19.
To learn more about the coronavirus and what you can do to reduce your risk, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s website: cdc.gov.