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From a first cough to weeks quarantined alone in bed, it’s hard to know what to expect from the coronvirus. But here’s a peek at what CDC officials and other health experts know — at least so far — about everything from recovery time to when you can return to work.
How do you catch the coronavirus?
It’s spread mainly from person-to-person, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC. If the droplets land on a surface and a person touches that surface, and their mouth, nose or eyes it can be contracted. The virus can stay on stainless steel or plastic surfaces for up to three days, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health.
It hasn’t been shown to pass through sweat or blood.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
The most common ones are fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. The incubation period for the coronavirus is 2 to 14 days after exposure. Some people may carry the virus without showing any symptoms.
How long is coronavirus recovery time?
The CDC has not released info on how long the infection lasts. But experts say it takes at least a week to recover.
“You will feel sick for at least 7 to 10 days, and it could be much longer,” said Manhattanville College professor Anna Yeung-Cheung. “After a week, most people will start to feel better. But everybody’s immune system is different.”
But in cases in China and Japan, the coronavirus has infected the same person twice, according to thehill.com.
How do you recover from the coronavirus?
No medicine has been proven to effectively treat the virus yet, but drugs — such as the antiviral drug Remdesivir, which was used to treat Ebola — look promising, experts say. “To recover, it’s a lot like other sicknesses — drink water, take Advil and rest a lot,” said Yeung-Cheung.
When you can go back to work?
Experts recommend waiting at least 10 days, until after you’re no longer experiencing symptoms and a medical professional says it’s fine to return to the office, said Yeung-Cheung. “If you feel better and your doctor says you can go back, then go.”
What’s the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus?
The CDC recommends washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Yeung-Cheung says, “Don’t panic. Go outside, get some fresh air — and try to maintain your sanity.”
