Everywhere you turn these days, you’ll likely hear something about COVID-19. And with good reason. As of June 1, more than 1.5 million Americans had been diagnosed with the virus, including more than 24,000 Tennesseans. What should you know about COVID-19 and how to protect your family? We know it’s a common question, which is why our team at AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway is taking some time to share the information.

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a viral infection. Specifically, it’s a new type of the coronavirus, which is also the virus responsible for some strains of the common cold. COVID-19 passes through airborne particles, meaning when a person sneezes, coughs or breathes in the air. In many cases, the virus causes no noticeable symptoms. When this occurs, a person is an “asymptomatic” carrier of the illness. In other cases, a person may have mild symptoms, while in still others, the symptoms can be severe and even deadly.

Symptoms of COVID-19

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose

How Can I Protect Myself?

Your best defense against getting COVID-19 is to avoid close contact with others outside your home. But since the economy is opening back up and people are spending more time away from home again, it’s important to take other precautions. When you’re in public, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone age 2 and older wear a cloth face covering. While this offers some protection for you, its primary purpose is to keep others safe from your airborne particles in the case that you’re sick and do not know it.

Other Ways to Prevent COVID-19

• Stay six feet away from others while outside the home.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects often.
• Limit time spent outside the home as much as possible.
• Avoid contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms.

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, we are offering COVID-19 testing at our urgent care center. Visit the AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway website to learn more or to schedule a testing appointment.