By: Illinois Department of Public Health
http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people, and others that circulate among animal, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people.
Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world and commonly cause mild to moderate illness in people worldwide. However, the emergence of novel (new) coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, have been associated with more severe respiratory illness.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
For the most current information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website – 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Wuhan, China.
CDC is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China have reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting limited person-to-person spread is occurring.
There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
If you have been in Wuhan, China, in the last two weeks or know someone who may have novel coronavirus AND you have symptoms, please call your health care provider so they can make arrangements for you to be assessed.
Symptoms
Common human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include
- runny nose
- headache
- cough
- sore throat
- fever
- a general feeling of being unwell
Human coronaviruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Transmission
Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through
- the air by coughing and sneezing
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
- rarely, fecal contamination
Prevention
The following can help prevent the spread of coronaviruses and protect your from becoming infected.
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- avoid close contact with people who are sick
There are currently no vaccines to protect against human coronavirus infection
Treatment
There are no specific treatments. To help relieve symptoms
- take pain and fever medications
- drink plenty of liquids
- stay home and rest
