People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild to severe. It takes 5-6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up tp 14 days. Affected might complain:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Yes. It is possible to test positive for flu and as well as other respiratory infections and COVID-19 at the same time.

Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19:

1. Viral tests (PCR) – this is the confirmatory test for COVID-19
2. Antibody tests (IgG/IgM) – this test checks for current or previous infection

Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample is collected prior to getting infected with COVID-19. You’re likely to catch the virus even after the test. You must  protect yourself and others even if tested negative.

Yes. The test only measures infection, not exposure. So, quarantine yourself for at least for 14 days regardless of test results.

• Viral tests identify if you currently have an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19
• Viral or PCR test identify the virus in respiratory samples, using swabs to take the specimen from nose and mouth.

• Molecular tests identifies the active infection. This test works best between 2 days before and 7 days after you have symptoms.
• Serum antibody tests measure the body’s response to infection. This test works best at least 14 days following your first symptoms.

Therefore, they both are different

• Antibody tests look for antibodies in a body that start to develop when someone catches the virus
• Antibodies take one to three weeks to develop
• Some people might take longer while others may not develop antibodies at all.
• A positive result from this test may mean that the person was previously infected with the virus.

Based on the information and clinical expertise, these people are susceptible to COVID-19:

• People aged 65 years and older
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility

People of all ages with underlying pre-existing medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

• People with chronic lung disease (moderate to severe asthma)
• People who have serious heart conditions
• People who have weak immune system because of:
  •  
  • cancer treatment
  • smoking
  • bone marrow or organ transplantation
  • immune deficiencies
  • poorly controlled HIV or AIDS,
  • prolonged use of corticosteroids and other medications
• People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40)
• People with diabetes
• People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
• People with liver diseases

If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

• Stock up on supplies
• Take everyday precautions to maintain sufficient distance between one another
• When in public, avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid crowds, cruise, and non-essential errands

Well-controlled means that your condition is stable, not life-threatening. This stable condition should match laboratory assessments and other findings.

Severe illness means, the impact of the illness or condition on your body.  You should talk to your healthcare provider if you have a question about your health.

People with disabilities are three times more likely to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than people without disabilities.

However, most people with disabilities are not inherently at risk for getting infected with COVID-19.  Some with physical disabilities might be vulnerable to get COVID-19 because of their underlying preexisting medical conditions.

Smoking can cause:

• inflammation
• cell damage throughout the body
• weakens the immune system

Therefore, chronic smokers are more prone to serious complications of COVID-19 infection.

If you have high blood pressure, it’s critically important that you keep your blood pressure under control. Controlling your blood pressure can decrease the risk for heart disease and strokes.

• continue your medications for hypertension as directed
• keep a log of your blood pressure every day
• Stay in touch with your healthcare provider to make sure your blood pressure is well controlled.

Yes. Continue to take your blood pressure medications exactly as prescribed. Continue all your regular medications as prescribed by your doctor.

You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching the following.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; after going to the bathroom; before eating or preparing food.)
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.
• Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).

No. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 tend to show mild symptoms. Which might include:

• fever
• runny
• nose
• cough
• vomiting
• diarrhea

Alongside, children often present with rashes on skin and pink eye.

• Children older than 2 years should wear a cloth face mask according to the World Health Organization
• Cloth face coverings should NOT be put on babies or children younger than 2 years because of the suffocation hazard
• Children younger than 2 years of age are listed as an exception

For those who are critically sick (due to low oxygen levels or lung damage from pneumonia), hospitalization is required. Patients can receive oxygen and other treatments to help their breathing as well as supportive care and close monitoring. 

Most people do not get low oxygen levels and can monitor the conditions. Over-the-counter medicines can be used to manage symptoms. Infected persons can often have telephone check-ins with health providers for close monitoring.

No. Those with mild symptoms, no underlying comorbids and breathing issues  should stay in home isolation and get medical help using automated remote monitoring programs.