Covid-19

COVID‑19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles containing the virus. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors. Vaccines for Covid - 19 are now available. Properly fitted masks along with social distancing can help prevent the spread of the virus from the person wearing the mask to others. The FDA has also given emergency use approval for Evushield, an injectable drug for prevention of infection in people who are immunocompromised, or severely allergic to COVID-19 vaccines.

Covid-19 can be diagnosed using rapid diagnostic antigen or antibody tests, or a lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. To test for the COVID-19 virus, a healthcare provider takes a sample from the nose (nasopharyngeal swab), throat (throat swab) or saliva. The samples are then sent to a lab for testing in the case of a PCR test, or tested on a rapid test.

Symptoms of COVID‑19 are variable, but often include fever, cough, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, loss of smell, and loss of taste. Of those people who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classed as patients, 5% suffer critical symptoms (respiratory failure, shock, or multiorgan dysfunction). Treatment for Covid-19 include antiviral, monoclonal antibody, long-acting antibody treatments at various stages of approval from the FDA.