Q: What is COVID-19?
A: COVID-19 is a virus strain,
first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that has only spread in
people since December 2019.
Health experts are closely
monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus and it
has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.
Q: How does COVID-19 spread and what are the symptoms?
A: COVID-19 is primarily spread
through respiratory droplets. That means to become infected, you generally must
be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with
these droplets. It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or
object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly
their eyes, Symptoms of COVID-19 appear within two to 14 days after exposure
and include fever, cough, diarrhea and shortness of breath.
Q: How long does it take for symptoms of the COVID-19 to appear?
A: The CDC believes that
symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days
after exposure.
Q: How is COVID-19 treated?
A: There is currently no FDA
approved medication for COVID-19. People infected with this virus should
receive supportive care such as rest, fluids and fever control, to help relieve
symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital
organ functions.
Prevention
Q: Is there a vaccine?
A: Currently, there is no
vaccine available.
Q: How can I best protect myself?
A:
Practice the following:
·
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at
least 15-20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer
with at least 60% alcohol.
·
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with
unwashed hands.
·
Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) 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.
·
Standard household cleansers and wipes are
effective in cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
·
It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season
and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to
stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
Q: Should I wear a face mask? Will that help protect me?
A: If you are sick: You should wear a facemask
when you are around other people (like sharing a room or vehicle) and before
you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a
facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do
your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you
should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are
sick.
If you are not sick: You do not
need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they
are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they
should be saved for caregivers.
Q: Are pregnant women at higher risk of developing severe illness
with COVID-19?
A: The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention says it’s not yet known whether pregnant women are more
susceptible to getting COVID-19 or are likely to have more severe symptoms,
compared with individuals of a similar age and health status, who aren’t
pregnant. However, it’s still important for pregnant women to protect
themselves from illnesses. We recommend to:
·
Wash your hands frequently. You’ve heard this
advice over and over, but for good reason. Cleaning your hands can really stop
the virus in its track.
·
Practice social distancing. Maintain a 6-foot
distance from other people, and avoid groups of individuals larger than 10.
·
Get the flu shot. It won’t protect you against
COVID-19, but it will lower your risk of catching influenza — another more
common respiratory illness that can cause complications for expectant moms.
·
Go virtual. Whenever possible, consider virtual
prenatal visits with your doctor instead of in-person appointments. Spending
less time in the waiting room and doctor’s office might reduce the risk of
catching the virus. However, some important prenatal care visits will still
need to be in-person, such as ultrasounds, fetal testing and some blood work.
·
Call your doctor if you’re coughing. If you
develop flu-like symptoms such as a cough, fever, runny nose or shortness of
breath, contact your doctor via telephone or virtual visit. They’ll determine
if you should be tested for the coronavirus and what your next steps should be.
Q: Can pregnant women with COVID-19 pass the virus to their fetus or
newborn?
A: There are currently no
studies that show evidence the virus can be passed from mother to fetus before
delivery. A report in The Lancet medical journal looked at nine pregnant women
in China in their third trimester with pneumonia caused by COVID-19. None of
the mothers developed severe illness. Two babies did show some signs of
distress, but all nine babies were born alive and fairly healthy. Additionally,
they all tested negative for coronavirus.
Q: I have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic and I am concerned
about COVID-19. Should I cancel my appointment?
A: We are taking necessary
precautions on behalf of our patients, visitors and caregivers. At this time
our primary care providers are reviewing patient records and encouraging all of
our Ohio patients with non-essential primary care appointments scheduled to
take place in the next few weeks to consider rescheduling for three months out.
For patients who require a
physical exam, in-person appointments will remain as scheduled. We are closely monitoring this evolving
situation and our clinicians are meeting regularly to continue to prepare.
If you have a fever, cough,
diarrhea or shortness of breath, or are otherwise concerned you have COVID-19,
we ask that you do not come to any Cleveland Clinic facility without calling
your primary care physician or speaking to a provider using a virtual visit
using Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online. Patients will then be evaluated to
determine if they require being seen in person or if they meet CDC guidelines
for testing for COVID-19 based on symptoms, travel and exposures. If a patient
meets criteria for testing, their Express Care Online provider or primary care
physician will advise how to proceed with testing.
Source: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2020/03/18/frequently-asked-questions-about-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/
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