Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 are flu-like and include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, or a sudden loss of the sense of smell or taste. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people may develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.
People at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection include:
People who are age 65 or older
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who have weakened immune systems (This can be due to cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, or prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune-weakening medications)
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease
People who are pregnant
What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
If you have a cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call and speak with your health care provider before going to a medical facility. Do not go to an emergency room. If you believe you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, call 9-1-1.
If you do feel ill, don’t panic. Most people who get the novel coronavirus disease have only minor symptoms and do not need medical care. In fact, most people with symptoms who are tested for COVID-19 have a negative test. Their symptoms are most likely due to influenza or seasonal allergies. However, you should contact your doctor to inform them of your symptoms and get advice.
If you have a mild case, your doctor may advise you to treat your symptoms at home. Staying home also helps prevent you from exposing other people to the disease.
For those who have a more serious case, call before you head to the urgent care or emergency room. That will help the medical team to prepare for your arrival, so you can receive the fastest and best possible care. It will also help them to protect other people from your infection.
Should I be tested for COVID-19?
If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to COVID-19, contact the Public Health – Seattle and King County call center between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 206-477-3977. Testing is generally conducted at a health care provider’s office.
According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, there are currently no restrictions on who can be tested for COVID-19. UW Medical Center has expanded testing and is currently one of highest-volume testing sites in the nation. Limitations remain in laboratory capacity to obtain samples and process lab results promptly. Commercial testing is becoming more available. Health care providers may test any patient in whom they suspect COVID-19.
While there are no restrictions on who can get tested, not everybody who feels ill needs to be tested, particularly if you have mild illness. If you are sick with fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and are in a high-risk group, call your health care provider to discuss whether you should be tested for COVID-19.
What should I do to keep myself and those close to me safe?
The most important steps to take are the same as for every cold and flu season: Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water. If you cannot wash, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If it is ethanol-based, the ethanol content should be more than 60 percent. (If it is isopropyl alcohol-based, the content should be more than 70 percent.) Stay home if you are feeling ill. If you experience symptoms, call your doctor’s office. They will help you determine if you need to be seen and provide you with instructions for seeking medical care.
To limit the spread of the disease, Gov. Inslee has prohibited people from leaving home except to go to work in an essential business or to conduct essential activities such as:
Grocery shopping
Medical visits
Caring for family members, friends, or pets
Exercising or engaging in outdoor recreation (while still observing social distancing)
Public Health — Seattle & King County also recommends that EVERYONE should stay home if possible and avoid groups of people, including public places and gatherings where there will be close contact with others. This is called “social distancing” and means that in any group, you would never be closer than 6 feet from any other person. This not only protects individuals from disease, but it also slows the spread of disease in our community to make it less likely that our hospitals will become overwhelmed with large numbers of people with severe COVID-19 infection. Wearing a cloth mask in public, along with social distancing, also helps prevent the spread of the disease.
Where can I learn more about COVID-19
For more information on COVID-19, visit Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: University of Washington