Coronavirus questions

Five frequently asked questions about the coronavirus:

What are the symptoms?

Fever, cough and difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath are all associated with the coronavirus. The illness causes lung lesions and pneumonia, but milder cases may resemble the flu or a bad cold, making detection difficult. Symptoms also may include gastrointestinal problems or diarrhea.

How long does it take for symptoms to appear?

Current estimates suggest symptoms appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure to the virus.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Stay at home except to get medical care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends calling a medical professional if you notice symptoms and you live in or have traveled to an area with a known coronavirus outbreak; have had close contact with someone who lives in or has traveled to an area with a known outbreak; or have had close contact with someone who has been infected.

How does the virus spread?

The new coronavirus seems to spread easily, especially in homes, hospitals, churches, cruise ships and other confined spaces. It appears to spread through droplets in the air from a cough or a sneeze. A study of other coronaviruses found they remained on metal, glass and plastic for two hours to nine days.

Is there a cure?

There is no approved antiviral drug for the coronavirus. For now, doctors can recommend only the usual remedies for any viral illness: rest, medicine to reduce pain and fever, and fluids to avoid dehydration. Coronavirus patients with pneumonia may also need oxygen and a ventilator if breathing trouble worsens.