During the coronavirus pandemic, you’re likely doing your best to stay well. If you’re healthy overall and aren’t managing a chronic disease or pre-existing condition, how concerned should you be about coronavirus?
Being healthy isn’t the same as being immune, so it’s important to take preventive measures and live carefully. Being informed and prepared will help protect you and those around you. Here are the facts you should know about coronavirus if you’re in good health.
Anyone Can Get Coronavirus, But Risk Level Varies
In short, it’s possible for anyone to get coronavirus and your risk depends on many factors, including:
- If anyone in your home has been diagnosed with coronavirus
- If you fall into one of the CDC’s high-risk categories
- Being 65 or older
- Having a serious heart condition
- Having an underlying medical condition, particularly if not well controlled such as diabetes, HIV or AIDS
- Having chronic liver disease and/or kidney disease undergoing dialysis
- Having chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids like prednisone or other immune weakening medications
- Residing in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Severe obesity (body mass index of 40 or higher)
- The current rate of infection in your state
Your local Department of Health can give you move information about your area’s current risk level. Learn more about your risk of getting coronavirus disease with the CDC’s risk assessment.
Focus on Daily Hygiene
If you’re usually healthy and well, it’s easy to take health for granted. It’s also easy to forget the simple measures you can take daily to keep germs at bay.
Taking steps toward better hygiene is more important than ever — for your health and the health of others. Be sure to:
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it away
- Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizer close by for when you can’t easily wash your hands
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds each time
Concerns Over Cold vs. Flu vs. Coronavirus
Getting sick during the coronavirus pandemic is understandably nerve-wracking, and it’s always worth it to err on the side of caution. If you have the main COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, call your doctor, or use the AdventHealth app to set up a video visit right away.
When evaluating you for coronavirus, your doctor may also consider the flu, mono and other illnesses that have symptoms similar to coronavirus.
Learn more about telling the difference between coronavirus, the flu and the common cold, in this article.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, you should avoid the emergency department at your local hospital except in the event of an emergency.
If you notice any of these emergency warning signs, seek care right away:
- Bluish lips or face
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Trouble breathing
This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency.
What a Coronavirus Diagnosis Means
With so much about coronavirus circulating in the news and on social media, it’s understandable to feel concerned about what a diagnosis would mean for yourself or your loved ones. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care.
If you are in good health and not managing an immune disease or chronic health condition, it’s encouraging to know that you would likely make a full recovery from a coronavirus infection.
That’s due in part to one frequently underreported fact: Coronavirus recovery rate is high. According to the WHO, most people — about 80% — who get COVID-19 recover from it without needing special treatment.
With these coronavirus facts in mind, we encourage you to take your health into your own hands (and continue to wash them often) to avoid coronavirus and stay well.
Your Trusted Coronavirus Resource
We understand it can be difficult to know where to turn for COVID-19 information and recommendations in ever-changing times. We’re here for you any time with video visits on the AdventHealth app, and have answers to coronavirus FAQs and more on our Coronavirus Resource Hub.
