Coronavirus: What you need to know Fox News StaffBy Fox News Staff | Fox News Facebook Twitter Flipboard Comments Print Email

Get the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

As coronavirus continues to spread across the country and the globe, there is important information you should know about the disease, what you can do to mitigate its impact, and how you can keep yourself and others safe.

Coronavirus: Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

Many symptoms of COVID-19 and influenza overlap, here’s how to spot the differences.

Are digestive issues a symptom?

Could diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues be the first signs of coronavirus?

Are the loss of smell and taste symptoms?

The loss of the ability to smell or taste could be a sign that an individual has coronavirus, according to a recent report.

Anything else?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added six new symptoms to those reported to be associated with coronavirus.

.
When should you go to the hospital, and when should you stay home?

There are steps you should take to protect yourself and others before heading to the doctor or emergency room that will also help protect the nation’s health care systems.

What are the levels of severity?

The severity of the novel coronavirus can differ from person to person.

Coronavirus: Transmission

How is coronavirus transmitted?

According to the CDC, coronaviruses are common in camels, cattle, cats and bats. Person-to-person transmissions are thought to occur when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.

Therapists seeing increase in demand amid COVID-19 pandemicVideo
How long is someone with COVID-19 infectious?

A study out of Singapore suggests that COVID-19 patients are not infectious 11 days after getting sick.

Can I get it from somebody’s breath?

In a letter sent to the White House, a panel of experts said that while available research has indicated that the novel coronavirus may enter the air via bioaerosols generated when an infected person breathes, it is too early to say whether the illness may be transmitted in this manner.

Can you get it from packages?

Surgeon General Jerome Adams said, “There is no evidence right now that the coronavirus can be spread through mail.”

Can I get it from using the toilet?

Scientists are still learning a great deal about COVID-19 and how it spreads, but they have learned it can be transmitted via “aerosolized feces,” although it has not been proven to be high enough concentrations to cause an infection.

Can I get it from swimming pool water?

A dip in a crisp pool is all one needs to cool off on a hot day. But can coronavirus spread in pool water?

A man wears a bandana on his face as he walks past a sign written on the window of a Starbucks coffee shop, which was closed for coronavirus concerns, in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 24,
Can it be transmitted outdoors?

While experts agree the great outdoors reduces the risk of virus transmission as compared to confined areas with stagnant air, they also say there is still a theoretical risk.

Should I keep using my contact lenses?

Contact lens wearers are being advised to switch to glasses amid the coronavirus outbreak as doing so may lessen the urge to touch your eyes.

Does your blood type matter?

People with blood type A might be more vulnerable to the coronavirus, while those with type O blood could be more resistant, according to a study from China.

Simulation shows how quickly a cough can spread in the airVideo
Coronavirus: Protecting yourself and others

If I was infected, how long until I can be with others?

For those who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, or suspect they may be infected, knowing when it’s safe to see other people can be daunting.

How can you protect against getting it?

You can protect yourself from coronaviruses by following basic wellness practices.

Can I make my own hand sanitizer?

If you are thinking of making your own hand sanitizer at home, be very careful since there are many recipes available online that can put you in harm’s way.
Should I be sanitizing surfaces?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the novel virus “does not spread easily” from touching contaminated surfaces or objects, but that doesn’t mean you should stop your sanitization routine.

Am I washing my hands correctly?

There are a few general rules to follow when it comes to washing your hands thoroughly, including for how long you should keep them under running water.

How to handle your laundry

We know to practice safe social distancing and frequently wash our hands to protect ourselves and our loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic — but how about our clothes?

Should I wear a face mask?

Should the general public wear masks during the coronavirus epidemic?

How can I make my own face covering?

In a 45-second video, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams shows Americans how to make a facial covering using an old T-shirt and two rubber bands.

What are COVID-19 ‘super spreaders’?Video
What are the best materials to make a face mask with?

When making a do-it-yourself mask, what materials should you use if you have sensitive skin? What should you do if your skin becomes irritated from long-term use?

How do I keep my face covering clean?

The CDC is recommending masks “should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.” The guidance recommended: “A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.”

How do I keep my glasses from fogging up?

If you are a glasses wearer, you may have noticed that wearing a face mask can cause your lenses to fog.

Can I get it through my eyes?

The eyes are a key point of infection for the novel coronavirus, a team of Hong Kong researchers said, detailing how the disease has higher rates of transmissibility through the eyes and airways when compared to H5N1, or the bird flu, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

How to stop touching your face

Keeping your hands off your face is easier said than done: One study found that people touch their faces some 23 times an hour on average.

Is it safe to have sex?

As the majority of Americans are under some type of stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, you may be wondering if it’s safe to have sex in the age of social distancing.
How can I safely shop for groceries?

Staying informed about the safest ways to shop can help relieve at least some of the anxiety associated with your next supermarket visit.

Is there anything I need to know about eating takeout?

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread in the United States, many restaurants and fast food locations have closed dining rooms, and are only offering takeout or delivery options.

Coronavirus: Who is at risk?

Who is most at risk?

Young people, senior citizens and those with immune deficiencies could have an acute reaction if exposed to the virus.

Is it a threat to children?

One pediatrician said childrens’ frequent exposure to seasonal illnesses could actually be protecting them from COVID-19.

Exclusive: Supporting those impacted by Alzheimer’s amid coronavirusVideo
Does it affect pregnant women?

The CDC said that while risk to the American public remains low at this time, pregnant women should continue to engage in usual preventative actions to avoid infection, such as washing hands often and avoiding contact with people who are sick.

How do I prepare for labor during the pandemic?

Dr. Manny Alvarez shares his advice on extra precautions you can take if you’re pregnant during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic: Tips on staying calm

Several hospitals have moved to ban visitors or birthing partners from hospitals due to the coronavirus outbreak. There are steps you can take to help relieve anxiety.

How do I bring my newborn home?

When it comes to venturing out in public, Dr. Dane Snyder, a section chief in the division of primary care pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said that parents should stay home with the newborn unless “absolutely necessary.”

How does coronavirus affect asthma sufferers?

It’s well known that other respiratory conditions, such as the common cold or flu, can trigger asthma symptoms, possibly leading to an asthma attack, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. But Is the same true for the novel coronavirus?

Prevention tips for people with chronic illness

Social distancing, hand-washing and avoiding those who are sick are among the top pieces of advice given to the general public, but for the immunocompromised, there are additional steps they can take.

 

Coronavirus: Treatment and care

How do you test for it?

Before being tested for the deadly virus, patients must first answer a series of questions.

How do you treat it?

Fox News received an in-depth look at the new disease from Dr. Debra Chew, a former epidemic intelligence officer for the CDC and an assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Special pathogens expert on pandemic: Practicing guidelines will result in less cases for futureVideo
Is there a cure?

Health agencies recommend patients receive supportive care to relieve coronavirus symptoms.

How soon could a vaccine be ready?

New vaccines typically take years to earn approval — can we really expect a coronavirus vaccine to be ready by summer 2021?

Doc warns against DIY coronavirus remedies

Several medications are being investigated, but that doesn’t mean you should run out and buy them unprescribed, or try to recreate them in your home. Doing so could have dire consequences.

Do pneumonia shots protect against it?

Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Amler told Fox News that a pneumonia shot will not be effective in staving off pneumonia caused by coronavirus.

How do you care for a relative who has it?

Even if the patient does test positive, it can be considered safe to continue supporting them with some extra precautions.
What if someone in my family has it?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that if anyone in your house has tested positive, everyone in the house should self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days or longer until the patient has no more symptoms and tests negative.

What happens after you recover from it?

A negative test doesn’t always mean the patient is free of the virus.

What about my pets?

While the veterinary community is still dealing largely with unknowns amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, most of what they do know might come as a relief to pet owners.

Tips on how to talk to your kids about coronavirus

It’s important to remember that children take cues from the adults that surround them, so how you address the virus at home may reflect in their behavior.

You may also like...