School News
Network
Q&A
on coronaviruses (COVID-19)
WHO is continuously monitoring and responding to this
outbreak. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it
spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide.
What is a
coronavirus?
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.
What is
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.
What are the
symptoms of COVID-19?
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.
How does
COVID-19 spread?
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.
Can the virus that
causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?
Studies to date suggest
that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with
respiratory droplets rather than through the air. See previous answer on
“How does COVID-19 spread?”
Can CoVID-19 be caught
from a person who has no symptoms?
The main way the disease
spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing.
The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low.
However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is
particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible
to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does
not feel ill. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the period of transmission
of COVID-19 and will continue to share updated
findings.
Can I catch COVID-19
from the feces of someone with the disease?
The risk of catching
COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. While initial
investigations suggest the virus may be present in feces in some cases, spread
through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. WHO is assessing
ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new
findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands
regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.
What can I do
to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease?
Protection measures for everyone
Stay aware of the latest
information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through
your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the
world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities
in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their
outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the
latest news.
You can reduce your
chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple
precautions:
- Regularly
and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash
them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. - Maintain
at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is
coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. - Avoid
touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. - Make
sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This
means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you
cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. - Stay
home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty
breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the
directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections. - Keep
up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where
COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places
– especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or
lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently
visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading
- Follow
the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)
- Self-isolate
by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms
such as headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose,
until you recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you
supplies or to go out, e.g. to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid
infecting other people.
Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses. - If
you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice
promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious
condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or
contact with travelers.
Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
How
likely am I to catch COVID-19?
o The risk depends on
where you are - and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19
outbreak unfolding there.
o For most people in most
locations the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low. However, there are now
places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is spreading. For
people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher.
Governments and health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new
case of COVID-19 is identified. Be sure to comply with any local restrictions
on travel, movement or large gatherings. Cooperating with disease control
efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
o COVID-19 outbreaks can
be contained and transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some
other countries. Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s
important to be aware of the situation where you are or intend to go. WHO
publishes daily updates on the COVID-19 situation worldwide
Should I worry about COVID-19?
o Illness due to COVID-19
infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However,
it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need
hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the
COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.
o We can channel our
concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.
First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and
good respiratory hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the
local health authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel,
movement and gatherings.
Who is
at risk of developing severe illness?
o While we are still
learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with
pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease,
lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more
often than others.
Are
antibiotics effective in preventing or treating the COVID-19?
o No. Antibiotics do not
work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is
caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used
as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They should only be used as
directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.
Are there
any medicines or therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?
o While some western,
traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of
COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the
disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including
antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several
ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines.
WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings
are available.
o
Is
there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?
o Not yet. To date, there
is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat
COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms.
People with serious illness should be hospitalized. Most patients recover
thanks to supportive care.
o Possible vaccines and
some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested
through clinical trials. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and
medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.
o The most effective ways to
protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your
hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a
distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing
Is
COVID-19 the same as SARS?
o 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.
o SARS was more deadly but
much less infectious than COVID-19. There have been no outbreaks of SARS
anywhere in the world since 2003.
Should
I wear a mask to protect myself?
o Only wear a mask if you
are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone
who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are
not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There
is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.
o WHO advises rational use
of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and mis-use
of masks.
o The most effective ways
to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your
hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a
distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.
How to put on,
use, take off and dispose of a mask?
1.
Remember, a mask should only be used by
health workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms, such as
fever and cough.
2. Before touching the
mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
3. Take the mask and
inspect it for tears or holes.
4. Orient which side is the
top side (where the metal strip is).
5. Ensure the proper side
of the mask faces outwards (the coloured side).
6. Place the mask to your
face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape
of your nose.
7. Pull down the mask’s
bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.
8. After use, take off the
mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away
from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces
of the mask.
9. Discard the mask in a
closed bin immediately after use.
10. Perform hand hygiene
after touching or discarding the mask – Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if
visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water.
How long is the incubation period for
COVID-19?
The
“incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to
have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for
COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates
will be updated as more data become available.
Can humans become infected with the COVID-19 from an animal
source?
Coronaviruses
are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. Occasionally, people
get infected with these viruses which may then spread to other people. For
example, SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by
dromedary camels. Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been
confirmed.
To
protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct
contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals. Ensure good food
safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care
to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked
animal products.
Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?
While
there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date,
there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19
is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs,
sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and
thoroughly.
WHO
continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID-19 topics and
will update as new findings are available.
How long does the virus survive on
surfaces?
It
is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces,
but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that
coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may
persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under
different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the
environment).
If
you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill
the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an
alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your
eyes, mouth, or nose.
Is it safe to receive a package from any area where COVID-19 has
been reported?
Yes.
The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and
the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has
been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is
also low.
Is
there anything I should not do?
The following measures ARE NOT effective
against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:
- Smoking
- Wearing
multiple masks
- Taking
antibiotics (See question 10 "Are there any medicines of
therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?")
In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing
seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection
and be sure to share your recent travel history with your health care provider.
For more
information, check back regularly on WHO’s coronavirus pages. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
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