What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called the coronavirus. It mostly affects your lungs and can make you feel like you have a cold or the flu. Some people only get mild symptoms, while others can get very sick.

Common related conditions

Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Infection) Strep Throat

Causes of COVID-19

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks and tiny droplets with the virus get into the air. You can catch it by breathing in those droplets or by touching your face after touching something with the virus on it.

Risk factors for COVID-19

Older adults
People with health conditions like asthma, heart disease or diabetes
People with weak immune systems
People who are not vaccinated
People in crowded or indoor places for a long time

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 symptoms can feel like a cold or the flu. Common symptoms include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Trouble breathing
Tiredness or body aches
Loss of taste or smell
Headache or sore throat
Runny nose or stomach issues (like nausea or diarrhea)

Diagnosing COVID-19

COVID-19 is diagnosed using a test. This could be:

A swab test from your nose or throat
A rapid test you can take at home
A lab test that gives more accurate results

Treatment of COVID-19

Most people with COVID-19 can rest at home and get better in a few days. You can:

Drink lots of fluids and get rest
Take medicine like acetaminophen to lower fever
Stay away from others so you don’t spread it

In serious cases, doctors may give special medicine or oxygen in the hospital.

COVID-19