COVID-19 - How it is Spread
- COVID-19 is spread from person to person.
- The virus spreads from respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings. The infected droplets can then be inhaled by a nearby person or land on the surface of their face or eyes.
- Most infected people also have respiratory secretions on their hands. These secretions get transferred to healthy people on doorknobs, faucet handles etc. The virus then gets transferred to healthy people when they touch their face or rub their eyes.
- These methods are how most respiratory viruses spread.
COVID-19 Basics
- COVID-19 Symptoms:
The most common symptoms are cough and fever. Some patients progress to shortness of breath. Other common symptoms are chills, shivering (shaking), runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains or body aches, headache, and loss of smell and taste. The CDC also includes the following less common symptoms: fatigue (tiredness), nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Incubation Period:
average 5 days (range 2 to 14 days) after coming in contact with the secretions of a person who has COVID-19.
- No Symptoms but Infected:
Over 30% of infected patients have no symptoms.
- Mild Infections:
80% of those with symptoms have a mild illness, much like normal flu or a bad cold. The symptoms usually last 2 weeks.
- Severe Infections:
20% of those with symptoms develop trouble breathing from viral pneumonia. Many of these need to be admitted to the hospital. People with complications generally recover in 3 to 6 weeks.
- Deaths:
Children generally have a mild illness and recover quickly. Pediatric deaths are very rare. Older adults, especially those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes or weak immune systems, have the highest death rates. The overall death rate is around 6 per 1000.
- Vaccine:
Safe and highly effective vaccines are approved for those 16 and older. Right now, most states are giving them on a priority basis. Some vaccines are 2 doses, given 3-4 weeks apart. Others are a single dose. Similar to flu shots, they will probably provide protection for 6 to 9 months. Vaccine research on younger children is in progress. Age 12 to 16 approval is expected in Fall 2021. Age 11 and younger approval is expected by Spring 2022.
- Treatment:
New treatments for severe COVID-19 are becoming available. They are mainly used on hospitalized patients and are given in a vein (IV).
Trusted Sources for Accurate COVID-19 Information - CDC and AAP
- To meet the high demand for COVID-19 information, when possible, find your answers online. Here are the most reliable websites:
- CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
- American Academy of Pediatrics parent website: www.healthychildren.org
- Always follow the most current CDC recommendations if they are different than those in this document.