COVID 19

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in China.

The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Public health groups, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO, are monitoring the pandemic and posting updates on their websites. These groups have also issued recommendations for preventing and treating the illness.

​

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may appear two to 14 days after exposure. This time after exposure and before having symptoms is called the incubation period. Common signs and symptoms can include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Tiredness

Early symptoms of COVID-19 may include a loss of taste or smell.

Other symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Muscle aches

• Chills

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Headache

• Chest pain

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Rash

This list is not all inclusive. Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

The severity of COVID-19 symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Some people may have only a few symptoms, and some people may have no symptoms at all. Some people may experience worsened symptoms, such as worsened shortness of breath and pneumonia, about a week after symptoms start.

People who are older have a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and the risk increases with age. People who have existing medical conditions also may have a higher risk of serious illness. Certain medical conditions that may increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 include:

​

​

​

• Serious heart diseases, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy

• Cancer

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes

• Overweight, obesity or severe obesity

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• Chronic kidney disease

• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia

• Weakened immune system from solid organ transplants

• Pregnancy

• Asthma

• Chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis

• Liver disease

• Dementia

• Down syndrome

• Weakened immune system from bone marrow transplant, HIV or some medications

• Brain and nervous system conditions

• Substance use disorders

This list is not all inclusive. Other underlying medical conditions may increase your risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

Long Covid

Some people with COVID-19 have lingering symptoms for weeks or months after they begin to recover. You might know this as “long COVID.” Experts have coined a new term for it: post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Research shows that about 10% of people between ages 18 to 49 who have COVID-19 get long COVID. The odds go up to 22% for those 70 or older. But it can happen to anyone, whether you’re otherwise healthy or have other health conditions. You can get it even if your earlier COVID-19 symptoms were mild or moderate.

Causes

Experts don’t know why people get long COVID. Research continues on that, as well as:

• Treatment and prevention

• How long it can take to recover from it

• Whether long COVID can make heart and brain problems more likely

• How someone can build immunity after they have COVID-19

• What role vaccines play

In the meantime, if your doctor diagnoses you with long COVID, they may order blood tests to see if you have any underlying issues that might cause it. They'll also take a look at your medical history.

Symptoms

Long COVID appears to affect each person in different ways. You might notice a wide range of things that could linger for a long time. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Loss of smell and taste

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Joint pain

• Chest pain

You might also have:

• Sleep issues

• Anxiety

• Gut problems

• Fever

• Muscle pain

• Depression

• Headache

• Rapid heartbeat

In rare cases, long COVID can affect your organs. You may get:

• Inflammation of your heart muscle

• Lung-related issues

• Kidney problems

• Hair loss

• Skin rashes

• A hard time with concentration and memory

If you have any of these, tell your doctor about it right away