Covid Research Notes

Question 1

Exposure

Answer 1

Having come into contact with the viruses or bacteria that cause a particular health problem

Question 2

Infection

Answer 2

The result when viruses or bacteria multiply and invade the body, or enter a part of the body where they are not usually found

Question 3

Disease

Answer 3

The result when an infection does damage to the body (causing illness or sickness)

Question 4

Transmission

Answer 4

The way viruses and bacteria spread and infect a person’s body

Question 5

What are infectious diseases?

Answer 5

Illnesses caused by virus or bacteria that can spread from person to person in several ways. These illnesses can be spread through eating contaminated food, sexual contact, droplets of saliva or mucus, blood, contact with a contaminated surface, or insect bites.

Question 6

What are some common infectious diseases?

Answer 6

The common cold, influenza (the flu), viral hepatitis, norovirus, and sexually transmitted infections.

Question 7

How do health departments assist with the control of infectious diseases?

Answer 7

• Counting the number of cases reported
• Investigating cases to determine risk factors for the disease and others who may have been exposed
• Providing information to communities
• Ensuring adequate and appropriate treatment

Question 8

What is COVID-19?

Answer 8

An infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many species of animals.

In rare cases, animal coronaviruses can infect people, and then spread person to person. This is the case with the virus that causes COVID-19.

The first case of COVID-19 occurred in December 2019, in China. In March 2020, Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO

Question 9

How does COVID-19 spread?

Answer 9

The virus can spread through droplets released in the air when a person infected with the virus coughs, sneezes, or talks.

It’s also possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)

Question 10

What percent of people with COVID-19 have a moderate infection similar to a cold or the flu?

Answer 10

80% of people with COVID-19 have a mild to moderate infection. Some cases of COVID, however, can be more severe.

Question 11

Is COVID-19 like the flu?

Answer 11

There is a lot that isn’t known yet about COVID-19 because its a new virus. While originally thought to be similar to the flu, we now know that it more sever than the flu for many people, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions and certain health issues.

Question 12

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Answer 12

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Stuffy or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Question 13

How can you reduce your risk of getting COVID-19?

Answer 13

• Clean hands often
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid close contact
• Cover mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Question 14

Does COVID-19 only affect older people, or are younger people at risk?

Answer 14

Anyone can be at risk for infection, but certain populations are at higher risk for developing sever illness. These include:

• Older adults (over 65 years of age
• People with underlying conditions such as:
• • Chronic lung disease
• • Moderate to severe asthma
• • Heart conditions
• • Severe obesity
• • Diabetes
• • Liver disease
• • Immunocompromised people

Children do not appear to be at higher risk than adults.

Question 15

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating COVID-19?

Answer 15

No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections.

Question 16

Can my pets spread COVID-19?

Answer 16

At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID 19 to people.

Question 17

Can you get COVID-19 more than once?

Answer 17

We don’t fully understand the body’s immune response to the COVID virus. We don’t yet know if people who have had the virus can be re-infected shortly after they recover.

Question 18

How long can COVID-19 last in the air or surfaces?

Answer 18

In a laboratory settings it can stay in the air or on surfaces for hours up to day, but it is unknown if real world environmental aspects will change that.

Question 19

How is COVID-19 spread different from measels or tuburculosis

Answer 19

Covid spreads through respiratory droplets that then fall towards the ground relatively quickly.

Diseases like measels and tuberculosis can float in the air for a very long time.

Question 20

Does disinfectant kill COVID-19?

Answer 20

yes.

Question 21

What is the connection between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to COVID-19?

Answer 21

COVID-19 is the name of the disease (which is experienced as an illness) that can result from infection with the virus called SARS-CoV-2.

Other situations where the virus and the disease it can cause have different names are HIV and AIDS.

Question 22

What is the Virus Name of COVID-19?

Answer 22

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Question 23

What is the Disease Name of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)?

Answer 23

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Question 24

Define Social Distancing

Answer 24

Also called “physical distancing,” social distancing means keeping space between yourself and people outside of your home. Practicing social distancing involves:

• Staying six feet away from other people
• Not gathering in groups
• Staying out of crowded places and avoiding mass gatherings

Question 25

Define Quarantine

Answer 25

Quarantine is used to keep someone who MIGHT have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Someone in self-quarantine stay separated from others, limiting movement outside of the home or facility where they are staying.

In addition to separating themselves from others, people in quarantine should stay home, monitor their health, and follow directions from state or local health department.

Question 26

Define Isolation

Answer 26

Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (even if they are not showing symptoms) from people who are not infected.

People in isolation should stay home and separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick” bedroom or space, using a different bathroom when possible, and in some cases it may take place in a hospital setting.

Question 27

What is community transmission or Community spread?

Answer 27

When the virus is being spread throughout the community by an unknown source

Question 28

What percentage of people are usually asymptomatic?

Answer 28

1 in 3

Question 29

What is the incubation period?

Answer 29

The period of time between when a person is first infected and when they start to show symptoms.

The incubation period is anywhere from 2 - 14 days. During this time the person may be able to spread the virus.

The average time frame that people begin to show symptoms is 5 days after contracting the virus.

Question 30

What is the difference between asymptomatic and presymptomatic?

Answer 30

Asymptomatic - Symptoms never develop

Presymptomatic - Symptoms have not yet developed, but the person can still spread the virus.

Question 31

What is the infectious period?

Answer 31

The period of time when the virus can be transmitted to others.

Because the infectious period overlaps with the incubation period, people showing no symptoms of the virus may be able to spread it.

Question 32

Who qualifies for priority testing?

Answer 32

• Hospitalized patients and healthcare workers with symptoms
• People who are symptomatic AND are in long-term care facilities; are 65 years and older; have underlying conditions; or are first responders.
• Individuals whose healthcare providers believe that their care and treatment would be significantly improved by confirming their COVID-19 status.

Question 33

What is a Person Under Investigation (PUI)?

Answer 33

A “person under investigation,” or PUI, is a person who has COVID-19 and whose past exposure to the virus is being investigated, or a person who was investigated but tested negative for the virus. As a Contact Tracer, you or another member of your team will work closely with PUIs.

Question 34

What are the public health measures for confirmed or probable cases?

Answer 34

• Staying home except to get medical care. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. If someone does not need medical care, they should stay at home and not visit public places.
• Separating from other people and pets in the home. As much as possible, the sick individual should stay in a specific room and away from others in the home. This might mean using a separate bathroom, if available. If the sick individual needs to be around other people outside the home, they should wear a cloth face covering.
• Monitoring symptoms, including fever and breathing. The sick individual should follow care instructions from their healthcare provider and local health department. If someone begins to experience emergency warning signs, such as trouble breathing, they should seek immediate medical attention.