Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is in the news due to several factors: it is a virus that has never been seen before and is quickly spreading throughout the world, with two cases recently diagnosed in Bergen County. With heightened concerns about illness, it is important to learn when to visit a physician for an assessment and possible referral for further care.
What is Coronavirus?
The coronavirus is an upper respiratory infection. The flu, strep throat, and common cold are all considered coronaviruses. However, COVID-19 is a more severe virus, sharing more similarities with MERS and SARS. A case of SARS has not been detected worldwide since 2004, while most newer MERS cases are reported from countries along the Arabian Peninsula. COVID-19 is a brand-new virus never seen before, initially diagnosed in Wuhan, China with new cases being tested for and diagnosed every day worldwide.
Coronavirus Symptoms & Incubation
The coronavirus exhibits flu-like symptoms. If you begin to exhibit symptoms similar to the flu, you should visit a doctor immediately for diagnosis and potential testing.
- Dry cough
- High fever
- Runny and/or stuffed nose
- Chest and/or nasal congestion
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
COVID-19 has an incubation period of two to fourteen days from exposure, which means patients may be spreading it without knowing they are ill. Without undergoing a test for the coronavirus, you may develop more severe symptoms including a fever that will not break, pneumonia, and kidney failure. Because COVID-19 exhibits flu-like symptoms, it is critical to visit a doctor immediately if you begin to feel unwell.
How COVID-19 Spreads & Prevention
The current strain of coronavirus is transmittable through direct contact with infected people, objects, or surfaces, from stair railings to door handles to countertops and desks. This means the virus can also be passed through coughs or sneezes. You should maintain a six-foot radius from people who may have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of illness. While vaccination is not yet available for COVID-19, there are precautions you can take to avoid getting sick.
- Wash your hands regularly throughout the day with soap and warm water. Make sure you are scrubbing for at least 20 seconds to kill all germs and remove buildup. If you are unsure of how long to scrub for, sing a verse of Happy Birthday or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. You should wash your hands after using the restroom, changing a child’s diaper, handling uncooked food, and before eating.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes and mouth. Germs from your hands can make their way into your system, which can lead to you getting sick.
- Wipe down your most used surfaces each day. This includes your steering wheel, kitchen counter, desk, and common touchpoints in your home and office. Germs can live for longer periods of time on surfaces like door handles and keyboards than your hands.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow to contain germs.
Walk-in Treatment for Illnesses in Bound Brook, Middlesex & Somerville, NJ
if you begin to exhibit flu-like symptoms, do not wait to get checked out. Visit AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for walk-in care. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, call ahead. Our center is open seven days a week. For questions, please call 732-469-3627.
