About COVID
Want to know the basics about coronavirus? Below is important information about what the virus is, how it spreads, what the symptoms are, and how to protect yourself and others.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory disease and will recover without the need for special treatment. Elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illnesses.
The best way to prevent and delay transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or rubbing them frequently in alcohol and without touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads mainly through droplets of saliva or nasal discharge when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it is important that you also practice breathing etiquette (for example, coughing with your flexed elbow).
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus. Human coronaviruses spread like the flu or cold:
- By air when coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it
- Fecal contamination occasionally
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breathe
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Repeated tremors with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Symptoms can appear in just two days or up to 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses range from people with few or no symptoms to severely ill and dying people.
Most people with mild symptoms can recover at home without medical care. If you would like to be tested for a diagnosis, contact your healthcare provider or schedule an appointment at a publicly accessible testing facility.
If you don’t want to get tested, it’s still important to stay at home, isolate yourself and avoid contact with other people, rest and drink fluids. If you feel worse, call your doctor.
For severe symptoms (including fever over 100 °), call your doctor. If you don’t have a health professional, call your nearest hospital or emergency department to schedule an appointment.
If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Emergency warning signs can include:
- Breathing problems
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
- Wear a mask – in and out – whenever you leave the house or have people who do not live with you in your space.
- Keep your distance from people you don’t live with and avoid crowds.
- Download the COVID Alert PA mobile app to be notified if you are close to someone who has had a positive test and to alert others if you have a positive test.
- Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Don’t use your hands!
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean high-contact surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remote controls, and other frequently touched items.
- if you are sick – even if the symptoms are mild – stay home until you feel better.