310620 2019 Novel Coronavirus

310620 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Taken from a message to me fromProvidence.org dated 03/06/2020 11:00 AM. Notice the date—some of this may be outdated and I have highlighted these areas in BOLD

Human Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that commonly cause mild to moderate illness like the common cold. Almost everyone gets infected with one of these viruses at some point in their lives, and most of the time the illness lasts for a short amount of time.

A new coronavirus

A new human coronavirus, called the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 was discovered in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019. While we know it’s contagious, it is still not known how easily it spreads from person to person. Public health officials are actively investigating this virus to learn more about its impact. At this time, it seems that children are experiencing relatively mild illness compared to adults.

People with confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus reported illnesses ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms are similar to the flu and can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• of breath
• Body aches
• Tiredness
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia

For more information, the Washington State Department of Health website

• https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020.
• https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

There is also a call center 1-800-525-0127.

How to protect you and your family

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, here are a few other ways you can keep your family healthy and help prevent the spread of viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Stay away from others who are sick or keep them home if they are ill.
• Cough and sneeze into your arm or elbow or tissue, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect household objects and surfaces in your home.
• Avoid travel to areas considered high risk until this outbreak has passed. The list of countries included in this list is evolving. The CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcases-updates%2Fsummary.html is a good source of up to date information on high risk areas and other updates on this novel virus.
• If you have recently traveled to any of the high-risk countries or regions and have any of the symptoms above, talk to your doctor. You may need to be tested and may be told to stay home for up to 14 days to prevent the spread of the virus, even though you may not have symptoms.

If you have fever and cough but are breathing comfortably and staying hydrated an evaluation with a medical provider might not be necessary as continued supportive care like rest, fever reducer and encouraging fluid intake would be the only treatment.

However, if you have fever and cough and have a chronic medical condition, concerning complaints like working harder to breath, chest pain, shortness of breath, a prolonged fever more than 5 days, or you are concerned you are unable to stay hydrated then an evaluation is likely necessary.

If you are not sure if you need an evaluation call your doctor.

Families are also encouraged to stay up to date about this situation as we learn more about how to prevent this virus from spreading in homes and in communities. See the resources below for the latest developments from the CDC, including travel warnings, new cases and prevention advice.?

CDC resources

These resources are based on what is currently known about 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19. The CDC will update them as new information becomes available.

COVID19 Situation Summary https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html

Interim Guidance for Preventing 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 from Spreading to Others in Homes and Communities

Coronavirus Prevention and Treatment

Adapted from H. Cody Meissner, MD, FAAP, Infectious Disease Specialist