Medical information

1. What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection

From what we know so far, the virus can cause mild, flu-like symptoms such as

• fever
• cough
• difficulty breathing
• pain in the muscles
• tiredness.

More serious cases develop severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and septic shock that can lead to the death of the patient. People with existing chronic conditions seem to be more vulnerable to severe illness.

2. Are some people more at risk than others?

Generally elderly people and those with underlying conditions (e.g. hypertension, heart disorders, diabetes, liver disorders, and respiratory disease) are expected to be more at risk of developing severe symptoms.

3. Is there a treatment for the COVID-19 disease?

There is no specific treatment for this disease so the approach used to treat patients with coronavirus-related infections is to treat the clinical symptoms (e.g. fever, difficulty breathing). Supportive care (e.g. supportive therapy and monitoring – oxygen therapy, fluid management and antivirals) can be highly effective for those infected.

4. When should I be tested for COVID-19?

If you have

• an acute respiratory infection (sudden onset of either a cough, and/or a sore throat, and/or shortness of breath),

AND

in the 14 days before the start of your symptoms, you were either:

• in close contact [1] with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 infection, or travelled to an area where there is ongoing community transmission of COVID-19,
• or worked in or attended a healthcare facility where patients with COVID-19 infections  were being treated, you should contact your doctor by phone for advice.

ECDC has developed guidance on how to identify suspected cases and when to initiate testing:

[1] A close contact would be someone living in the same household as a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, a person who had face-to-face contact or stayed in a closed environment with a COVID-19 case, or a healthcare worker or other person providing direct care for a COVID-19 case, or laboratory workers handling SARS-CoV-2 specimens.

5. Where can I get tested?

If your doctor believes there is a need for a laboratory test for SARS-CoV-2/ COVID-19, he/she will inform you of the procedure to follow and advise which laboratory can perform the test. Several laboratories in Europe can process SARS-CoV-2 samples.

credits to the owner https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/questions-answers