COVID
SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus Disease 2019 - COVID 19)
Background
- Coronaviruses are a common group of viruses, often responsible for the "common cold"
- SARS-CoV- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (2002)
- MERS-CoV - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (2012)
- SARS-CoV-2 - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Social Distancing
- some studies suggest as few as 1,000 viral particles are required for an infection to take hold
- minimize opportunities to become infected with COVID-19
- number of particles x duration of exposure = odds of infection
- stay 6 ft away from other pepole
- wear a mask
- limit duration of time around other people
Incubation Period
- definition - period of time between exposure to COVID-19 and appearance of symptoms
- between 2-14 days from onset of symptoms (median 4-5 days)
Contagious Period
- definition - period of time during which a person can infect other people
- 2 days prior to onset of symptoms
- 10 days after onset of symptoms
Asymptomatic Carrier
- somone who has has tested positive for COVID-19 without manifesting symptoms
- considered contagious 2 days prior to testing positive in the absence of developing symptoms
- considered contagious until 10 days after testing positive in the absence of developing symptoms
Children
- typically asymptomatic or present with mild illness
Risk Factors for Severe Illness
- Age > 65
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Chronic lung disease
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Obesity
- Smoking
Symptoms
- Fever/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
- also known as Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS)
- rare complication of COVID-19
- our understanding of MIS-C is still evolving
Testing
- Locate Testing Site (click here)
- Who should get tested?
- anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19
- anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has confirmed COVID-19
- close contact is defined as someone within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes while not wearing a mask
- Which Test?
- Antigen testing "Rapid Test"
- diagnosis of current infection
- nasal swab, saliva or nasopharyngeal
- results take minutes to hours
- less sensitive - unable to identify low traces of COVID-19 earlier in the disease course, but very accurate during the contagious period
- testing best performed if symptomatic
- Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) - reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
- diagnosis of current infection
- nasopharyngeal swab
- results take hours to days - testing priority determined by severity of illness
- more sensitive - able to identify COVID-19 earlier in the disease course, but remains positive weeks after the contagious period
- testing best performed if symptomatic or 1 week after exposure
- Antibody testing (Serology)
- diagnosis of prior infection
- blood draw
- results take hours to days - testing priority determined by severity of illness
- false positives due to cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses
- unclear whether antibodies indicate immunity against future infections with COVID-19
- testing best performed 2 weeks or more after illness onset
- Antigen testing "Rapid Test"
Nasopharyngeal Swab
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Isolation
- someone who suspects they have COVID-19 should isolate themselves for 10 days, wait until they are clinically improving and fever free x 24 hrs, at which point the contagious period has passed
Quarantine
- staying away from others for 14 days, at which point the incubation period has passed