Most common COVID-19 questions asked to healthcare providers by patients and families

1. What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that usually cause common cold. Some rare viruses in the group can cause breathing problems and severe lung infections like the COVID-19 coronavirus that is circulating throughout the world right now.

2. Where did COVID-19 come from?

Coronaviruses circulate in animals primarily and sometimes get transmitted from animals to humans. COVID-19 was first discovered in humans in 2019, infections were linked to a live animal market in China.

3. How does Coronavirus spread from person to person?

Person to person spread occurs through droplets (someone with virus coughs it into the air) and contact transmission (Virus on objects/surfaces sticks to fingers and is then transferred into the body through mouth, nose or eyes).

4. What are the symptoms?

Most common symptoms are shortness of breath, cough, fever. Some patients can present with nausea and diarrhea initially.

5. When should I seek medical advice?

Patients with symptoms and history of close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 should seek medical advice. Patients with symptoms who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 should also seek medical advice immediately.

6. How far should I stand from a person coughing?

Risk of transmission is limited to about 6 feet from the patient

7. Does COVID-19 affect children?

Yes, but the disease seems to be much milder in babies and children.

8. How long does the virus stay alive on a table surface or other objects?

Depends on the surface type, usually up to 4 hours on Copper, 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel

9. What precautions should I take?

Regular hand washing and social distancing. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

10. Is regular surgical mask any good?

Yes, using a standard surgical-style mask can prevent large droplet transmission

11. Is there a vaccine or treatment?

No vaccine has been approved yet but multiple clinical trials are ongoing. Treatment is mostly supportive, helping patients to fight and recover from infection.

12. I heard it’s just like Flu, no need to panic right?

No need to panic for sure but it has to be taken very seriously. This virus is about 100 times more dangerous compared to Flu.

13. Am I going to die?

Vast majority of patients, more than 80% have only mild symptoms and recover spontaneously without requiring any medical attention. About 2.5% patients, mostly elderly with pre-existing medical conditions die with coronavirus infection.

14. What’s this talk about Ibuprofen making infection worse?

There is no conclusive scientific evidence regarding ibuprofen causing worse outcomes in patients with coronavirus infection.

Author website: https://www.sulcusgyrus.com

Medicine is an ever-changing science. As new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug therapy are required. Although every effort has been made to make sure all the information is up to date, readers should still not rely solely on this resource for making medical decisions. Medical information in this webiste is not intended as a substitute for professional care. Any recommendation should be integrated with complete clinical picture.