WHAT IS COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. WHO first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China.

What are the symptoms of

COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

• Fever

• Dry cough

• Fatigue

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

• Loss of taste or smell,

• Nasal congestion,

• Conjunctivitis (also known as red

eyes)

• Sore throat,

• Headache,

• Muscle or joint pain,

• Different types of skin rash,

• Nausea or vomiting,

• Diarrhea,

• Chills or dizziness.

Symptoms of severe COVID? disease include:

• Shortness of breath,

• Loss of appetite,

• Confusion,

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,

• High temperature (above  °C). Other less common symptoms are:

• Irritability,

• Confusion,

• Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),

• Anxiety,

• Depression,

• Sleep disorders,

• More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage.

People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your health care provider, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right clinic.

What happens to people who get COVID-19?

Among those who develop symptoms, most (about %) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. About % become seriously ill and require oxygen and % become critically ill and need intensive care. Complications leading to death may include respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolism, and/or multiorgan failure, including injury of the heart, liver or kidneys.

In rare situations, children can develop a severe inflammatory syndrome a few weeks after infection.

Who is most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19?

People aged  years and over, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, obesity or cancer, are at higher risk of developing serious illness.

However, anyone can get sick with COVID- and become seriously ill or die at any age.

Are there long-term effects of COVID-19?

Some people who have had COVID-, whether they have needed hospitalization or not, continue to experience symptoms, including fatigue, respiratory and neurological symptoms.

WHO is working with our Global Technical Network for Clinical Management of COVID-, researchers and patient groups around the world to design and carry out studies of patients beyond the initial acute course of illness to understand the proportion of patients who have long term effects, how long they persist, and why they occur. These studies will be used to develop further guidance for patient care.

How can we protect others and ourselves if we don’t know who is infected?

Stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, especially when distancing cannot be maintained, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds and close contact, regularly cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. Check local advice where you live and work. Do it all!

What should I do if I have been exposed to someone who has

COVID-19?

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-, you may become infected, even if you feel well.

After exposure to someone who has COVID-, do the following:

• Call your health care provider or COVID- hotline to find out where and when to get a test.

• Cooperate with contact-tracing procedures to stop the spread of the virus.

• If testing is not available, stay home and away from others for  days.

• While you are in quarantine, do not go to work, to school or to public places. Ask someone to bring you supplies.

• Keep at least a -metre distance from others, even from your family members.

• Wear a medical mask to protect others, including if/when you need to seek medical care.

• Clean your hands frequently.

• Stay in a separate room from other family members, and if not possible, wear a medical mask.

• Keep the room well-ventilated.

• If you share a room, place beds at least  metre apart.

• Monitor yourself for any symptoms for  days.

• Stay positive by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising at home.

If you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever, seek medical help if you have a fever. While travelling to and from the health facility and during medical care, wear a mask, keep at least a -metre distance from other people and avoid touching surfaces with your hands. This applies to adults and children

How long does it take to develop symptoms?

The time from exposure to COVID to the moment when symptoms begin is, on average, - days and can range from - days. This is why people who have been exposed to the virus are advised to remain at home and stay away from others, for  days, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, especially where testing is not easily available. —