Questions and answers

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause disease in both animals and humans. In humans, various coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections that can range from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the most recently discovered infectious disease caused by the coronavirus. This new virus and the disease it causes were unknown before the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Currently COVID-19 is a pandemic that affects many countries around the world.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough and tiredness. Other less common symptoms that affect some patients include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, and skin rashes or color changes. on the fingers or toes. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some of the infected people have only very mild symptoms.

Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without the need for hospital treatment. About 1 in 5 people who contract COVID-19 develop a severe condition and experience breathing difficulties. Older people and those with previous medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart or lung problems, diabetes, or cancer are more likely to develop severe conditions. However, anyone can get COVID-19 and become seriously ill. People of any age who have a fever or cough and who are short of breath, have chest pain or tightness, or have difficulty speaking or moving should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, it is recommended to first call the healthcare professional or medical center so that they can refer the patient to the appropriate healthcare facility.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 and when should I seek medical attention?

If you have mild symptoms, such as a mild cough or fever, you usually don’t need to seek medical attention. Stay home, isolate yourself, and monitor your symptoms. Follow national guidelines on self-isolation. However, if you live in an area with malaria (malaria) or dengue, it is important not to ignore the fever. Seek medical help. When you go to the health center, wear a mask if possible, keep at least one meter away from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. In case the patient is a child, help him to follow this advice.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have trouble breathing or feel chest pain or pressure. If possible, call your healthcare provider in advance so they can direct you to the right healthcare facility.

How is COVID-19 spread?

A person can contract COVID-19 from contact with another who is infected with the virus. The disease is spread mainly from person to person through droplets that are thrown out of the nose or mouth of an infected person when coughing, sneezing or talking. These droplets are relatively heavy, do not go very far and fall quickly to the ground. A person can get COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person infected with the virus. That is why it is important to stay at least one meter away from others. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person, such as tables, knobs, and railings, so other people can become infected if they touch those objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. This is why it is important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based disinfectant.

WHO is studying ongoing research on the ways in which COVID-19 is spreading and will continue to report on the findings as they emerge.

Can you get COVID-19 from someone who doesn’t have any symptoms?

The main way COVID-19 spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing or has other symptoms such as fever or tiredness. Many people with COVID-19 have only mild symptoms. This is particularly true in the early stages of the disease. It is possible to catch it from someone who only has a mild cough and does not feel sick.

According to some reports, people without symptoms can transmit the virus. How often it occurs is not yet known. WHO is studying ongoing research on this issue and will continue to report on the findings as they emerge.

How can we protect ourselves and others if we don’t know who is infected?

Practicing hand and respiratory hygiene is important at ALL times and the best way to protect yourself and others.

When possible, keep at least one meter of distance between yourself and others. This is especially important if you are next to someone who is coughing or sneezing. Since some infected people may not yet have symptoms or their symptoms are mild, you should keep a physical distance from everyone if you are in an area where the COVID-19 virus is circulating.

What should I do if I have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, they may be infected.

Close contact means living with someone who has the disease or having been within a meter of someone who has the disease. In these cases, it is better to stay home.

However, if you live in an area with malaria (malaria) or dengue, it is important not to ignore the fever. Seek medical help. When you go to the health center, wear a mask if possible, stay at least one meter away from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If the patient is a child, help him follow this advice.

If you do not live in an area with malaria (malaria) or dengue fever, please do the following:

If you become ill, even with very mild symptoms such as fever and minor aches, you should isolate yourself at home.
Even if you do not think you have been exposed to COVID-19 but develop these symptoms, isolate yourself and monitor your condition.
You are more likely to infect others in the early stages of the disease when you only have mild symptoms, so early isolation is very important.
If you have no symptoms but have been exposed to an infected person, quarantine yourself for 14 days.

If you have undoubtedly had COVID-19 (confirmed by test), isolate yourself for 14 days even after symptoms have disappeared as a precaution. It is not yet known exactly how long people remain contagious after recovering. Follow the advice of national authorities on isolation.

What does it mean to isolate yourself?

Isolation is an important measure that people with symptoms of COVID-19 take to avoid infecting others in the community, including their family members.

Isolation occurs when a person with a fever, cough, or other symptoms of COVID-19 stays home and does not go to work, school, or public places. You can do this voluntarily or on the recommendation of your health care provider. However, if you live in an area with malaria (malaria) or dengue, it is important not to ignore the fever. Seek medical help. When you go to the health center, wear a mask if possible, keep at least one meter away from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If the patient is a child, help him follow this advice.

If you do not live in an area with malaria (malaria) or dengue fever, please do the following:

If a person is in isolation, it is because they are ill but not seriously ill (in which case they would require medical attention)

Occupy a spacious and airy single room with a toilet and sink.
If this is not possible, place the beds at least one meter apart.
Stay at least one meter away from others, even your family members.
Check your symptoms daily.
Insulate yourself for 14 days, even if you feel fine.
If you are having difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Call first if possible.
Stay positive and energetic by keeping in touch with your loved ones by phone or internet and by exercising at home.

What should I do if I don’t have symptoms but I think I have been exposed to COVID-19? What does it mean to quarantine?

Self-quarantining means separating yourself from others because you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 even if you don’t have symptoms yourself. During quarantine, you should monitor their condition for symptoms. The goal of quarantine is to prevent transmission. Since people who become ill with COVID-19 can infect others immediately, quarantine can prevent some infections from occurring.

In this case:

Occupy a spacious and airy single room with a toilet and sink.
If this is not possible, place the beds at least one meter apart.
Stay at least one meter away from others, even your family members.
Check your symptoms daily.
Stay in quarantine for 14 days, even if you feel fine.
If you are having difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Call first if possible.
Stay positive and energetic by keeping in touch with your loved ones by phone or internet and by exercising at home.

However, if you live in an area with malaria (malaria) or dengue, it is important not to ignore the fever. Seek medical help. When you go to the health center, wear a mask if possible, keep at least one meter away from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If the patient is a child, help him follow this advice.

What is the difference between isolation, quarantine and distancing?

Quarantine means restricting activities or separating people who are not sick but who may have been exposed to COVID-19. The goal is to prevent the spread of the disease the moment people begin to have symptoms.

Isolation means separating people who are sick with symptoms of COVID-19 and can be contagious to prevent the spread of the disease.

Physical distancing means being physically separate. The WHO recommends keeping a distance of at least one meter from others. It is a general action that all people should take even if they are well and have not had a known exposure to COVID-19.

Can children or teens get COVID-19?

Research indicates that children and adolescents are just as likely to be infected as any other age group and can spread the disease.

Evidence to date suggests that children and young adults are less likely to develop serious illness, but severe cases can still occur in these age groups.

Children and adults should follow the same quarantine and isolation guidelines if there is a risk that they have been exposed or if they have symptoms. It is particularly important for children to avoid contact with the elderly and others who are at risk of a more serious illness.

Is there a vaccine, medicine, or treatment for COVID-19?

Although some solutions from Western or traditional medicine or home remedies can be comforting and alleviate mild symptoms of COVID-19, so far no medications have been shown to prevent or cure this disease. The WHO does not recommend self-medicating with any drugs, including antibiotics, to prevent or cure COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials, for both Western and traditional drugs. WHO is coordinating work to develop vaccines and drugs to prevent and treat COVID-19 and will continue to provide updated information as research results become available.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 are:

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Cover your mouth with a bent elbow or a handkerchief. If a handkerchief is used, it must be discarded immediately after use and hands washed.
Maintain a distance of at least one meter from other people.

How to properly use a medical mask

Before touching the mask, wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or soap and water
Inspect the mask for tears or holes
Orient the top up (where the metal strip is located)
Be sure to face out the correct side of the mask (the colored side)
Put the mask on your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask to mold it to the shape of your nose
Pull down the bottom of the mask so that it covers your mouth and chin
Do not touch the mask while wearing it for protection purposes
After using the mask, remove it with clean hands; remove the elastic bands from behind the ears keeping the mask away from your face and clothing, so as not to touch potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.
Dispose of the mask in a closed container immediately after use. Do not reuse the mask.
Practice hand hygiene after handling or disposing of the mask. Use an alcohol-based disinfectant or, if visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water.

Remember that masks are not a substitute for more effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19, such as washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth with a flexed elbow or a tissue, and keeping a distance of at least one meter with others. See Basic Protective Measures Against New Coronavirus for more information.

How long does it take between exposure to COVID-19 and the development of symptoms?

The time between exposure to COVID-19 and the time symptoms begin is usually around five to six days, but can range from 1 to 14 days.

What is the relationship between COVID-19 and animals?

COVID-19 is spread by human-to-human transmission.

We know quite a bit about other viruses in the coronavirus family, and most of these types of viruses have their origin in animals. The COVID-19 virus (also called SARS-CoV-2) is a new virus in humans. The possible animal source of COVID-19 has not yet been confirmed, but is being investigated.

WHO continues to monitor the latest research on this and other topics related to COVID-19 and will provide updated information as new data becomes available.

Can a pet or other animal give me COVID-19?

Several dogs and felines (domestic cats and tigers) have tested positive for COVID-19 after being in contact with infected humans. Furthermore, it appears that ferrets are susceptible to infection. Under experimental conditions, both cats and ferrets can transmit the infection to other animals of the same species. However, there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to humans and spread COVID-19. COVID-19 is spread mainly through droplets released by an infected person when coughing, sneezing, or talking.

The virus has also been detected in farm-raised minks that have likely been infected by workers. In some cases, human-infected minks have transmitted the virus to other people. They are the first reported cases of transmission from the animal to the human being.

It continues to be recommended that people with COVID-19 and those at risk limit contact with pets and other animals. In the handling and care of animals, basic hygiene measures should always be taken, namely: washing hands after handling animals, their food or their items, as well as avoiding kissing them, letting them lick us or sharing food.

The OIE website provides further recommendations in this regard: https://www.oie.int/es/nuestra-experiencia-cientifica/informaciones-especificas-y-recomendaciones/preguntas-y-respuestas-del-nuevo-coronavirus-2019/

WHO will continue to monitor the latest studies on this and other COVID-19 related topics and will update information as new findings become available.

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

The most important thing to know about coronavirus contact with surfaces is that they can be easily cleaned with common household disinfectants that will kill the virus. Various studies have shown that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel surfaces, less than 4 hours on copper surfaces, and less than 24 hours on cardboard surfaces.

As always, wash your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

How can I safely shop at grocery stores?

In grocery stores, keep at least a meter away from others and do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If possible, sanitize the handles and bars of carts or baskets before purchasing. When you return home, wash your hands thoroughly upon arrival and also after picking up and storing the items you have purchased. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 contagion through food or its packaging.

How should I wash fruits and vegetables?

Fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet. Wash them as you would in any circumstance. Before touching them, wash your hands with soap and water. Afterwards, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with drinking water, especially if you eat them raw.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating COVID-19?

No. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, only against bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work against it. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. In hospitals, doctors sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections that can be a complication of COVID-19 in seriously ill patients. They should only be used to treat a bacterial infection as directed by a doctor.

Can I get COVID-19 from contact with the stool of someone with the disease?

Although initial investigations suggest that the virus may be present in some cases in feces, to date no cases of fecal-oral transmission of the COVID-19 virus have been reported. Furthermore, to date there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus survives in water, including wastewater.

WHO is reviewing ongoing research on the ways in which COVID-19 spreads and will continue to provide updates on this issue.

(Source WHO: https://www.who.int/es/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/q-a-coronaviruses)