Coronaviruses
are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In
humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging
from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently
discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
COVID-19
is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan,
China, in December 2019.
The
most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients
may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or
diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people
become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most
people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and
develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical
problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely
to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing
should seek medical attention.
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People
can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from
person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread
when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects
and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching
these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can
also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who
coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1
meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
WHO
is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue
to share updated findings.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU
GET THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE?
Those with Coronavirus generally develop signs and symptoms,
including mild respiratory symptoms and fever, on an average of 5-6 days after
infection (mean incubation period 5-6 days, range 1-14 days). Most people
infected with COVID-19 virus have mild disease and recover.
IS THE CORONAVIRUS
DISEASE THE SAME AS SARS?
No. The virus that causes COVID-19 and the one that caused the
outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 are related to
each other genetically, but the diseases they cause are quite different.
IS
CORONAVIRUS A DISEASE?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused
by a newly discovered Coronavirus.
HOW SEVERE IS THE
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE?
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience
mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special
treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are
more likely to develop serious illness.
IS COUGHING A SYMPTOM OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and
dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny
nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin
gradually.