Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WHAT IS COVID-19 AND HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
Coronaviruses are members of the coronavirus family of viruses — one of the many families that include viruses able to infect people and animals. Seven members of the coronavirus family can make people ill, one of which is the new coronavirus strain SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Certain coronaviruses infect animals, though we do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19. In humans, coronaviruses are a cause of the common cold as well as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which can be fatal.
COVID-19 refers to the human infection caused by the new coronavirus strain SARS-CoV-2. While symptoms of many human coronavirus infections are mild, COVID-19 infection symptoms can be serious, leading to pneumonia and in some cases death. COVID-19 is caused by a new virus strain that is believed to have originated around the city of Wuhan, China, and began spreading among people in late 2019.
Officials are still learning about how COVID-19 spreads, but the CDC believes it spreads between people in three ways:
It is rare for an animal coronavirus to spread from animals to people, and from people to each other. However, this was the case with both SARS and MERS, and scientists suspect this is what is happening with COVID-19.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC website is continually updated with information about COVID-19 and includes tips and information about many aspects, including how it spreads, how to stay healthy, whether you should or can travel, and more.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM COVID-19
The CDC recommends these general practices to help prevent spreading viruses:
Yes. Most public health experts recommend all people wear masks when in public because wearing a well-fitting mask over the nose and mouth can help prevent those who are infected from spreading the virus. Masks also offer some protection to the person wearing it (some masks offer more protection). The CDC recommends all people who can wear masks do so, especially in indoor public settings, where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (i.e.grocery stores, schools, pharmacies, etc.).
For the latest information, visit Use Masks to Slow the Spread of COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that people who are actively sick with COVID-19 stay away from others as much as possible. That means separating yourself from others in your home and using a separate bathroom, if possible.
You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. If you must be around other people, even at home, you should wear a covering over your nose and mouth.
You should remain isolated until there is no longer a chance you can infect others. The length of time you may be considered actively sick can vary by case, so a decision about leaving isolation should be made in consultation with your doctor.
For the latest information, visit If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone.
Being quarantined means being separated from people who have been exposed to COVID-19 but who have not had symptoms for the length of the incubation period of the disease. For the latest information, visit COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation website.
SYMPTOMS & TESTING
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately
To view where you can get tested for COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 Testing Locations section.
For more information, visit the CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions website has additional FAQs on the topics of Travel, Pregnant Women and COVID-19, and COVID-19 and animals.
This page includes information from CDC.gov