Although there is an abundance of information online about COVID-19 aka the Coronavirus, it is important to note that all sources aren’t necessarily created equal in terms of up-to-date, factual information. We thought it would be best to create a post that deals with some of the basic information that everyone should know about, helping to better ensure that you can be more accurately informed and thus help you and your loved ones stay safe during such tumultuous times.
What is the Coronavirus?- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.* The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that emerged in the city of Wuhan, China, last year and has since caused a large scale COVID-19 epidemic and spread to more than 70 other countries is the product of natural evolution.* The analysis of public genome sequence data from SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses found no evidence that the virus was made in a laboratory or otherwise engineered.*
What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?-COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment * Common symptoms can include fever, tiredness, and dry cough.* Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, and very few people will report diarrhea, nausea or a runny nose.* It is imperative to note that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.*
How to Protect Yourself and Others-Washing your hands frequently, refraining from touching your eyes, nose and mouth, practicing social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others) and staying home as much as possible are methods that can help decrease the likelihood that you will contract the virus. If you do experience any symptoms, stay home unless you are experiencing some of the more serious symptoms like breathing difficulty or a tightness/pain in your chest. When experiencing the more serious symptoms, call your healthcare provider first and explain to them the symptoms you are experiencing and follow their instructions.*
The information provided is intended to better help you understand what is currently known about COVID-19 and as time goes by, more information will be known. As always, please consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen.
*Sources- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200317175442.htm, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html, https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab