AZ Heroes: COVID-19

 

AZ Heroes: COVID-19 Info

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One of the main goals of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center is to provide unbiased resources and information by disseminating environmental health information aligned with our research themes and to the interest of our communities.

We have provided a list of resources and other information that may be of interest to those in the Southwestern United States, especially Arizona here.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID?

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways.  There are a wide range of symptoms from mild symptoms to severe illness. 

Mild symptoms can include:

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

If someone is showing any of the following signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • New confusion

  • Inability to wake or stay awake

  • Bluish lips or face

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

CAN COVID-19 BE SPREAD BY PEOPLE WITHOUT SYMPTOMS?

COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. That's why it's important for everyone to practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people) and wear masks in public settings.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO EXPERIENCE CONORAVIRUS DISEASE SYMPTOMS AFTER EXPOSURE?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after you were exposed to COVID-19.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19?

  • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
    • Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
    • Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
    • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
    • Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
  • Separate yourself from other people.
    • As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.
    • Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.
    • Watch for fever (100.4 F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
    • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • Monitor your symptoms.
    • Symptoms of COVID-19 are listed above.
    • Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities may give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.
  • Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
    • Call ahead. Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.
    • If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor's office, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19.  This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.
  • If you are sick, wear a mask over your nose and mouth.
    • You should wear a mask over your nose and mouth if you must be around other people or animals, including pets.
    • You don't need to wear the mask if you are alone. If you can't put a mask on (because of trouble breathing, for example), cover your coughs and sneezes in some other way. Try to stay at least 6 feet award from other people. This will help protect the people around you.
    • Masks should not be placed on young children under 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is not able to remove the mask without help.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
    • Throw away used tissues in a lined trash can.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Clean your hands often
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
    • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
    • Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items
    • Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
    • Wash these items thoroughly after using them with soap and water or put in the dishwasher.
  • Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
    • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but you should clean your bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
    • If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and disposable gloves prior to cleaning. They should wait as long as possible after the person who is sick has used the bathroom before coming in to clean and use the bathroom.
    • High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
    • Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
    • Use household cleaners and disinfectants. Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.
      • Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend keeping the surface wet for several minutes to ensure germs are killed. Many also recommend precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
      • Most EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.