Health Information & FAQ
WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the name for a disease caused by a new virus of the coronaviridae family that was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus itself is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2, because of similarities between this new virus and the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak in 2003.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 vary from person to person and can range from fever, dry cough, or shortness of breath to diarrhea, muscle aches, and fatigue. Many young, healthy folks are likely asymptomatic or have symptoms that mimic the cold/flu, yet are still carriers of the virus who can spread it to anyone they come in contact with.
COVID-19 is most dangerous for those who are elderly and/or have pre-existing heart/lung issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. These patients are at a greater risk of getting seriously ill and needing hospitalization and/or respiratory support (e.g. requiring a ventilator, or machine to help you breathe).
HOW IS COVID-19 TRANSMITTED?
COVID-19 is transmitted person-to-person, primarily in respiratory droplets that contain the virus. An individual can become infected when they come in contact with respiratory droplets directly or when they touch a surface that the virus has landed on.
WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER THE RISK OF COVID-19 FOR MYSELF AND THOSE AROUND ME?
Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and wear a mask in places where social distancing is not possible.
Please do not hoard hand sanitizer or other essential resources.
Other resources:
HOW DO I TELL MY CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19?
While this is at the caregiver’s discretion, some facts you might consider covering include:
COVID-19 is the name for a disease caused by a new virus of the coronaviridae family that was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus itself is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2, because of similarities between this new virus and the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak in 2003.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 vary from person to person and can range from fever, dry cough, or shortness of breath to diarrhea, muscle aches, and fatigue. Many young, healthy folks are likely asymptomatic or have symptoms that mimic the cold/flu, yet are still carriers of the virus who can spread it to anyone they come in contact with.
COVID-19 is most dangerous for those who are elderly and/or have pre-existing heart/lung issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. These patients are at a greater risk of getting seriously ill and needing hospitalization and/or respiratory support (e.g. requiring a ventilator, or machine to help you breathe).
HOW IS COVID-19 TRANSMITTED?
COVID-19 is transmitted person-to-person, primarily in respiratory droplets that contain the virus. An individual can become infected when they come in contact with respiratory droplets directly or when they touch a surface that the virus has landed on.
WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER THE RISK OF COVID-19 FOR MYSELF AND THOSE AROUND ME?
Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and wear a mask in places where social distancing is not possible.
Please do not hoard hand sanitizer or other essential resources.
Other resources:
- More info on social distancing, self-quarantine, and flattening the curve.
- CDC’s guidelines on disinfecting your home if someone gets sick.
- Current guidelines on visiting patients in NYC Health + Hospitals.
HOW DO I TELL MY CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19?
While this is at the caregiver’s discretion, some facts you might consider covering include:
- Coronavirus is a “bug” that can make your nose and lungs feel bad.
- Coronavirus started spreading person-to-person through coughs and handshakes.
- This spreading caused a pandemic, which means that lots of people are sick with the same disease all around the world at the same time.
- Young people may not get very sick and feel better quickly but can make someone else sick. This could be someone older (like grandma) who isn’t able to fight the disease as well and may have to go to the hospital.
- Washing your hands and social distancing (staying at home and away from crowds) can help stop the virus and keep kids and adults from getting sick.
HOW LONG CAN I BE INFECTED WITH COVID-19 AND NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS?
The COVID-19 incubation period, or the time between the virus entering someone's body and them showing symptoms, is estimated to be 2-14 days. However, it is important to remember that there are some people who never show symptoms but have still tested positive for the virus.
CAN I BE CONTAGIOUS IF I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS?
It is possible to transmit the virus to someone else even if you are not showing symptoms.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR SEVERE SYMPTOMS FROM COVID-19?
COVID-19 is most dangerous for those who are elderly and/or have pre-existing heart and lung issues including hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. These patients are at a greater risk of developing serious disease requiring hospitalization and/or respiratory support (e.g. requiring a ventilator, or machine to help you breathe).
That being said, there are still young, healthy people that have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
WHY IS THE FATALITY RATE HIGHER IN OLDER ADULTS?
WHAT IS PEDIATRIC MULTI-SYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME?
Though children overall have been less affected by COVID-19, a recent pattern has emerged of 100+ cases with an unknown inflammatory syndrome (similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease). These cases seem to follow COVID exposure, as patients test positive by PCR or antibody detection. Though rare, this is a life-threatening condition, and the medical community and NY state are actively investigating these cases to find out more information.
Signs to watch for include a persistent, high fever for several days, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, bloodshot eyes, skin rash, change in skin color, difficulty feeding (infants) or drinking, trouble breathing or fast breathing, racing heart or chest pain, and lethargy, irritability, or confusion.
ARE THERE ANY MEDICATIONS THAT CAN TREAT COVID-19?
As of May 1st, the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for remdesivir, an experimental antiviral drug that is being tested in treating COVID-19 patients and has shown promising results in some early studies. Research is underway to find other medications or combinations of medications that can help treat the virus. For a quick primer on Remdesivir, check out our Instagram post about how the drug works and what the most recent studies about it show.
The COVID-19 incubation period, or the time between the virus entering someone's body and them showing symptoms, is estimated to be 2-14 days. However, it is important to remember that there are some people who never show symptoms but have still tested positive for the virus.
CAN I BE CONTAGIOUS IF I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS?
It is possible to transmit the virus to someone else even if you are not showing symptoms.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR SEVERE SYMPTOMS FROM COVID-19?
COVID-19 is most dangerous for those who are elderly and/or have pre-existing heart and lung issues including hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. These patients are at a greater risk of developing serious disease requiring hospitalization and/or respiratory support (e.g. requiring a ventilator, or machine to help you breathe).
That being said, there are still young, healthy people that have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
WHY IS THE FATALITY RATE HIGHER IN OLDER ADULTS?
- Your immune system begins weakening after age 50
- Death rate tracks closely with “comorbidity”, i.e. the presence of other conditions that compromise the patient’s heart, especially respiratory or cardiovascular illness.
- Risk of pneumonia is higher in older adults.
- COVID-19’s death rate can be ten times higher than the flu’s.
WHAT IS PEDIATRIC MULTI-SYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME?
Though children overall have been less affected by COVID-19, a recent pattern has emerged of 100+ cases with an unknown inflammatory syndrome (similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease). These cases seem to follow COVID exposure, as patients test positive by PCR or antibody detection. Though rare, this is a life-threatening condition, and the medical community and NY state are actively investigating these cases to find out more information.
Signs to watch for include a persistent, high fever for several days, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, bloodshot eyes, skin rash, change in skin color, difficulty feeding (infants) or drinking, trouble breathing or fast breathing, racing heart or chest pain, and lethargy, irritability, or confusion.
ARE THERE ANY MEDICATIONS THAT CAN TREAT COVID-19?
As of May 1st, the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for remdesivir, an experimental antiviral drug that is being tested in treating COVID-19 patients and has shown promising results in some early studies. Research is underway to find other medications or combinations of medications that can help treat the virus. For a quick primer on Remdesivir, check out our Instagram post about how the drug works and what the most recent studies about it show.
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