It’s in the news every day: coronavirus. But what is this virus and are you at risk for catching it?

Lehigh Valley Health Network infectious diseases specialist Luther Rhodes, with LVPG Infectious Diseases, has been laser-focused on this outbreak and has answers to the questions you have about the current outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus infections.

What is Coronavirus?

There are seven strains of human coronavirus. Four cause common cold-like symptoms, and the other three can cause much more severe lung infections, such as pneumonia. The three more serious types are SARS-CoV-1 virus, MERS virus and the latest one named SARS-CoV-2, which is currently causing a worldwide outbreak of infections and is referred to as COVID-19.

The newest strain arose in China in December 2019 and is a bat strain of coronavirus that mutated so it can now infect humans. Because the world’s population lacks immunity to the virus, and there is no current vaccine against it, COVID-19 infection spread wildly throughout China in December 2019 and January 2020.

At this time, COVID-19 is spreading into the rest of the world at a slower pace, largely carried by airline passengers and, to a lesser extent, by cruise ship passengers.

How is COVID-19 transmitted?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new form of coronavirus is spread mostly by person-to-person contact but it can also be spread by auto-infection, which means a virus is picked up from a contaminated surface onto a hand then rubbed into an eye or mouth by accident. There is no evidence that the virus is transmitted in the mail or in packages received from China.

Frequent hand washing and covering a cough are key measures to lessen the chance of becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Should I wear a face mask to protect myself from COVID-19?

Despite being a common practice now, wearing a regular (medical style) face mask to prevent infection with COVID-19 is not very effective, although it might help reduce spread of virus in someone who has the infection and is coughing. Medical personnel wear highly specialized masks to protect themselves from becoming infected when caring for a patient with COVID-19. These masks are much different from regular face masks and require training and fit testing.

am I at risk for getting COVID-19?

Residents who have not traveled outside of the country in the preceding two weeks (or have close contacts who have not done so) currently have no risk for COVID-19. This could change in the future if COVID-19 gains a foothold in the U.S., which is why much effort is spent in early identification and isolation of known or suspected cases of COVID-19.

How can I protect myself from coronavirus, or other viruses?

The World Health Organization reminds all people to follow “respiratory hygiene,” meaning if you sneeze or cough, do so into the crook of your elbow to stop expelled droplets from traveling into the air.

All people should be mindful of hand washing or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly as proven ways to reduce chances of becoming infected

Because seasonal flu is still prevalent in the area and throughout the U.S., it is not too late to get a flu vaccine if you have not already done so. It will help protect you from seasonal flu or help reduce your symptoms if you do get sick with the flu.

Why is COVID-19 a concern?

COVID-19 has caused illness ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms (like a cold) to causing death.

Because COVID-19 has caused illness in people beyond China, it is considered a widespread outbreak and is on track to be declared a pandemic soon by the World Health Organization.

For most people, this virus will cause cold-like symptoms. However, WHO states that people who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may be at greater risk for developing severe disease from a COVID-19 infection.

Is there medicine to treat COVID-19?

Although investigational drug studies are currently underway in China, at present there are no antiviral medications approved in the U.S. to treat or prevent COVID-19. Treatments that are currently used for patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19 are to help address symptoms such as fever or secondary bacterial pneumonia.

About the expert

Luther Rhodes is a fellowship-trained and board-certified infectious diseases specialist with LVPG Infectious Diseases and Chief, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

He is a leader in emerging illness management and has guided LVHN preparedness efforts through the last several decades. His approach to emerging illnesses is to study outbreaks, educate colleagues and the community, determine best practices to treat those who may have become infected, and use common-sense approaches (and technology) to help prevent spread of illness.

It’s more likely that you will need to seek medical help for seasonal flu and colds than for coronavirus.

Article originally published on Lehigh Valley Health Network’s blog.

https://news.lvhn.org/what-you-need-to-know-coronavirus-faqs-with-infectious-diseases-specialist-luther-rhodes-md