About
About Covid-19

What is novel coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.

You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) distances with who are unwell.

About Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe. It takes 2-14 days after exposure for symptoms to develop. Symptoms may include:

  • Hard Cough
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Respiratory Distress
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Kidney Failure
Check Symptoms
Symptoms
Covid-19 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find informative answers to all your questions about Covid-19

Why might someone blame or avoid individuals and groups?

discrimination against an identifiable group of people, a place, or a nation. Stigma is associated with a lack of knowledge about how COVID-19 spreads, a need to blame someone, fears about disease and death, and gossip that spreads rumors and myths.Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem.

What is the source of the virus?

This is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are two other examples of coronaviruses that originated from animals and then spread to people. More information about the source and spread of COVID-19 is available on the Situation Summary: Source and Spread of the Virus.

Why is the disease being called coronavirus disease 2019?

There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practiceexternal icon for naming of new human infectious diseases.

How can people help stop stigma related to COVID-19?

People can fight stigma and help, not hurt, others by providing social support. Counter stigma by learning and sharing facts. Communicating the facts that viruses do not target specific racial or ethnic groups and how COVID-19 actually spreads can help stop stigma.

Stay at home and call your doctor:

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever & any symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.