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C VDI What you need to know about

CORONAVIRUS 19 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
DISEASE

What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? What are severe complications from this virus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness Some patients have pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ
that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes failure and in some cases death.
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during
an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. How can I help protect myself?

Can people in the U.S. get COVID-19? People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with
everyday preventive actions.
Yes. COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in parts of • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
the United States. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with
for people who are close contacts of someone known to have unwashed hands.
COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20
members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at
who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
of COVID-19. Learn more about places with ongoing spread at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/ If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness
transmission.html#geographic.
to others, you should
Have there been cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.? • Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the
Yes. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was tissue in the trash.
reported on January 21, 2020. The current count of cases of • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects
COVID-19 in the United States is available on CDC’s webpage at and surfaces.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html.
What should I do if I recently traveled from an area with
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an ongoing spread of COVID-19?
animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. If you have traveled from an affected area, there may be
The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who restrictions on your movements for up to 2 weeks. If you
are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, trouble
through respiratory droplets produced when an infected breathing), seek medical advice. Call the office of your health
person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person care provider before you go, and tell them about your travel and
can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get
the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or care without exposing other people to your illness. While sick,
possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main avoid contact with people, don’t go out and delay any travel to
way the virus spreads. Learn what is known about the spread reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.
of newly emerged coronaviruses at https://www.cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html. Is there a vaccine?

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The
best way to prevent infection is to take everyday preventive
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and
illness with symptoms of washing your hands often.
• 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 03/03/2020