Do I have Coronavirus?

I am sure unless you are living off-grid you are aware of the Coronavirus. also known as COVID-19. Viruses in general, unlike bacteria, cannot survive without a living host (people or animals). The common cold, AIDS, herpes and chickenpox are in the family of viruses.

(Picture of the Coronavirus courtesy of www.livescience.com)

According to the CDC, the Coronavirus is part of a larger family of viruses that are very common in people and a variety of animals. The early outbreaks of the virus occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Providence in China. These reports suggested early on that individuals were exposed to the virus at their seafood and live animal market, "...suggesting animal-to-person spread." It was later confirmed many of the sick were nowhere near the live animal markets, which then indicated the virus was being spread person-to-person. This new virus affected over 60,000 people in China, with 1,370 eventually dying.

In coming to the U.S, according to the CDC during the week of February 23, 2020, there were two states where the virus first appeared -- Oregon and Washington. Washington reported the first death in the US from COVID-19, as well as the first case in a health-care worker who then exposed the residents of the long-term healthcare facility in Kirkland, Washington. From Oregon and Washington, the virus then spread to California. The statistics of new cases is continually changing. For the latest information be sure to check out this link to the CDC's database for reporting cases.

If you think you have been exposed there are some things to consider. The severity of the symptoms ranges anywhere from mild to life-threatening. According to the CDC serious illness is seen in 16% of the cases, particularly affecting older people and people with underlying health issues such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. Individuals with these conditions are at a much greater risk of serious complications.

Symptoms to look out for:

Do you have a fever?

Do you have a cough?

Do you have shortness of breath?

These symptoms may take anywhere from two days to fourteen days after exposure. There is no vaccine to prevent this virus. The CDC recommends the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

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.

Be sure to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Singing Happy Birthday is about 20 seconds and works great with young children. Also, if soap and water are not readily available, washing your hands with a hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol will work too!

This post is simply to provide some answers to basic questions and also provide you with links to get more information as it becomes updated.

Stay safe!