COVID-19: your questions answered
In this article we will answer 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about COVID-19. Let’s start with the basics.
1. What is SARS-CoV-2 and what is COVID-19?
What is SARS-CoV-2?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that first appeared in Wuhan, China in 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been identified in humans before.
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
What does ‘COVID’ stand for?
‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease.
COVID-19 has been described as a ‘pandemic’. What does that mean?
The term ‘pandemic’ refers to the geographical spread of COVID-19, it is not an indication of the number of people who have been infected by the virus.
2. Where do coronaviruses come from?
Coronaviruses can infect and circulate among different animal species, such as pigs, cats or dogs.
Some groups of coronaviruses also circulate among humans and cause seasonal epidemics, mostly during the winter months. Coronaviruses that circulate among humans are thought to originate from animal reservoirs.
Bats are also considered natural hosts of these viruses and have been the source of coronaviruses that have transmitted to humans and caused severe disease.
For example, the first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) originated in bats and was transmitted to humans via civet cats, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in humans in 2003. About 30% of people who get SARS die; however, no human cases have been reported since 2004.
Similarly, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) can transmit from camels to humans, causing MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). The first transmission was observed in 2012 and human infections are mostly limited to the Arabian Peninsula.
The precise way in which SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from animals to humans is currently unknown.
3. What are the basics about COVID-19?
The symptoms of COVID-19 typically appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure and are similar to symptoms of:
- Other coronavirus strains, which often affect the respiratory system
- Many other viruses – e.g. rhinoviruses or influenza viruses – that cause the common cold or flu.
Most infections are mild and last 5-6 days, and people are fully better by 2 weeks. So you do not normally need to see a doctor.
Also it’s important to note that 30% of people with COVID-19 have no symptoms at all, or report only very mild symptoms.
4. How does the COVID-19 virus spread?
The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small droplets when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe.
The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time. Indoor locations, particularly those with poor ventilation, are riskier than outdoor locations.
5. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Many COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of the flu, the common cold and other conditions, so a test is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.
The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and tiredness.
Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, confusion, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and skin rashes. In addition to these symptoms, infants may have difficulty feeding.
Children of any age can become ill with COVID-19. While children and adults experience similar symptoms, children generally have less serious illness than adults.
What symptoms indicate I need urgent medical attention?
Symptoms requiring urgent medical attention include difficulty breathing/fast or shallow breathing (also grunting, inability to breastfeed in infants), blue lips or face, chest pain, confusion (new), inability to awaken/not interacting, inability to drink or keep down any liquids and severe stomach pain.
6. What is the mortality of COVID-19?
It is about 1% (this compares to 1 in 1000 for seasonal flu). But the death rate varies alot by age group, as shown in this table.
|
AGE
|
DEATH RATE confirmed cases |
DEATH RATE all cases |
|
80+ years old
|
22%
|
15%
|
|
70-79 years old
|
8%
|
|
|
60-69 years old
|
3.6%
|
|
|
50-59 years old
|
1.3%
|
|
|
40-49 years old
|
0.4%
|
|
|
30-39 years old
|
0.2%
|
|
|
20-29 years old
|
0.2%
|
|
|
10-19 years old
|
0.2%
|
|
| 0-9 years old |
minimal deaths
|
Data from worldometer in 2024 (ceased being updated in April 2o24)
7. Questions about COVID-19 vaccines
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?
No vaccine is completely safe. But, COVID-19 vaccines are as, or more, safe than any other – and CKDEx strongly encourages you having them.
All COVID-19 vaccines go through rigorous testing in clinical trials to prove that they meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and effectiveness. Only if they meet these standards can a vaccine be approved by the NHS (and WHO etc).
Does COVID-19 change?
Yes. It’s normal for viruses to mutate (change) into new variants over time. Experts are constantly monitoring new variants of SARS-CoV-2, to see if they spread more easily, cause more severe disease, or could have an impact on the effectiveness of vaccines. For the moment, we don’t have answers to all these questions.
Do COVID-19 vaccines work against the new variants?
Experts around the world are continuously studying how new variants affect the behaviour of the virus, including any potential impact on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to get tested for COVID-19?
If you have been fully vaccinated but are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you should contact your doctor about whether you should get tested.
This is because no vaccine is perfect and you can get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated (but it should then be a milder illness).
8. How does COVID-19 affect children?
We are still learning how it affects children. We know it is possible for people of any age to be infected and transmit the virus; although older people and/or those with pre-existing medical conditions seem more likely to develop serious illness.
But generally, children have a milder and shorter illness, if they have COVID-19.
Children and adolescents may also be affected by multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious condition that appears to be linked to COVID-19.
Clinical features of MIS-C include: persistent fever; rash; red or pink eyes; swollen and/or red lips, tongue, hands, feet; gastrointestinal problems; low blood pressure; poor blood flow to organs; and other signs of inflammation.
Children who have these symptoms should seek medical care. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
What is ‘Long COVID’? Can children be affected?
A post COVID-19 condition, often referred to as ‘Long COVID,’ is a term used to describe symptoms persisting for 3 months in some people after initial recovery from COVID-19.
Young adults and children without underlying chronic medical conditions, as well as those who experienced mild symptoms during acute COVID-19 infection, have also been affected. More research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19.
The number of children with Long COVID is unclear, but surveys suggest symptoms in children can include fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, sore throats, headaches, and muscle pain and weakness.
Can pregnant women pass COVID-19 to unborn children?
At this time, we still do not know if the virus can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. To date, the COVID-19 virus has not been found in vaginal fluid, in cord blood, breastmilk, amniotic fluid or the placenta. Research is still ongoing.
Pregnant women should continue to follow appropriate precautions to protect themselves from exposure to the virus, and seek medical care early, if experiencing symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
9. There’s a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 online. What should I do?
There are a lot of myths and misinformation about COVID-19 being shared online. Get verified facts and advice from trusted sources like the UK government, UKHSA, NHS England, the UN, UNICEF and WHO.
10. Should I wear a medical mask to protect against COVID-19?
The use of a medical mask is advised if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) to protect others, or if you are caring for someone who may have COVID-19.
Summary
We have described COVID-19, and answered your questions. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resources
Basics of COVID-19
What does a positive COVID-19 test look like?
What to do if have a positive COVID-19 test
When should you see a doctor about COVID-19?
What is the mortality of COVID-19?
UK government advice on COVID-19
Further UK government advice on COVID-19
Last Reviewed on 28 May 2024