Tips on how to protect yourself.

If you wake up with a cough or fever and are worried you have coronavirus, chances are high you don’t unless you have traveled to one of the countries with an outbreak of COVID-19.

In Florida, as in other states, hospitals and doctors have been primed on how to screen patients, and only those who fit the threshold of having symptoms and travel history or contact with someone with a travel history will be tested for coronavirus.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, known now as COVID-19, are much like those associated with the flu or a lower respiratory illness. If you have these symptoms and are sick enough to go to a health provider, they will call in health officials to screen you.

■ Fever

■ Cough

■ Difficulty breathing

■ Rarer, more severe cases can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.

What to do

If you traveled in China, Iran, northern Italy, or South Korea, or you have been in contact with someone who was or has a confirmed case of coronavirus, and you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should contact your county health department (floridahealth.gov/chdepicontact) and take these steps:

■ Seek medical advice — Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

■ Avoid contact with others.

■ Avoid travel.

■ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

■ Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others.

■ Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Protection

Masks: Videos and news reports show people wearing facemasks and locally and worldwide these masks are selling out in stores. Over-the-counter masks don’t protect against airborne illnesses, which seems to be the case with COVID-19. The N-95 masks, which are used by healthcare workers, are the most effective.

Hand sanitizer: Alcohol-based sanitizers are helpful, but not a legitimate preventive measure to stop viruses. Thorough hand-washing is the best protection and preventive.

Disinfectant: Right now, there are no disinfectant products registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on surfaces that are known to have the ability to kill coronaviruses. However, related viruses that have similar properties can be killed with bleach, ammonia or alcohol, or cleaning agents containing any of these disinfectants.

Everyday prevention:

■ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

■ If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

■ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

■ Stay home when you are sick.

■ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

■ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

General info

■ Touching a package or product from China: Americans want to know if they can get coronavirus from touching a package or product shipped from China. The CDC says there is low risk because it would be difficult for the virus to survive on a surface over a period of time. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. There have not been any cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States associated with imported goods.

■ Treatment: There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, nor is there a treatment. But both are being worked on by researchers. There also is no specific antiviral treatment that works. Doctors are providing only supportive care.

■ How to track cases: The Florida Department of Health has set up a call center for questions. The center can be reached at 1-866-779-6121 or by emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The call center is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.