How to Deal with the Coronavirus Outbreak: Your Most Common Questions Answered

You likely can’t escape news stories about the COVID-19 coronavirus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled a pandemic. Since this is still a new disease, you likely have lots of questions about it. Many of the common questions about coronavirus are answered here, and though there’s still a lot that scientists don't know about this disease, more is being discovered each day.[1]

Question 1 of 22:

What is a coronavirus?

  1. The term "coronavirus" refers to a large family of viruses that make people sick.
    Most of these viruses cause the common cold and are very prevalent. Less common strains of coronavirus also cause Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which are serious variations of the virus.[2] COVID-19 is a new, rare type of coronavirus that came to the public's attention in late 2019.[3]
    • The coronavirus we are currently dealing with is novel, meaning that it hasn't been seen in people before.
    • COVID-19 is a term for the respiratory syndrome that can be caused by this new coronavirus, meaning that it causes you to have difficulty breathing. In some cases, it can cause pneumonia.
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Question 2 of 22:

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

  1. Most people who get COVID-19 have few to no symptoms.
    You might think you have a cold or the flu and be better in a few days. However, up to 1 in 5 people who get coronavirus will become seriously ill and may have trouble breathing. Symptoms to watch for include:[4]
    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Difficulty breathing

    Tip: If you have these symptoms but have not been in close contact with anyone who has COVID-19, you probably just have a cold or the flu. However, it's still a good idea to isolate yourself until your symptoms have passed.

Question 3 of 22:

If you get COVID-19, are you going to die?

  1. Not likely.
    Although it is more deadly than the flu, most people recover or have only mild cases. However, COVID-19 can be very dangerous for patients who are elderly or have other chronic diseases or conditions.[5]
    • Compared to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), another coronavirus, COVID-19 is more easily transmissible but not nearly as deadly.
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    Did you know? Around 81% of all cases of COVID-19 result in only mild pneumonia or no pneumonia at all.[6]

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Question 4 of 22:

Can you get COVID-19 from products shipped to you?

  1. Not likely.
    Although a lot is unknown about COVID-19, it doesn't appear that the virus can survive on dry surfaces, such as paper, plastic, or cardboard. Any products shipped to you should be safe to use without risk of contracting the disease.[7]
    • Even if someone with COVID-19 had coughed or sneezed on products before shipping them, it is unlikely that the virus would survive through the shipping process to infect another person.[8]
Question 5 of 22:

How can I fight the stigma associated with COVID-19?

  1. Help educate those around you.
    Teach people about the fact that, although COVID-19 may have begun in China, the disease itself doesn't target specific races of people, nor are particular races more likely to get it than others.[9]
    • Chinese and Asian people who you meet are no more likely to be infected than someone of any other race.
    • Tell people that the disease is spread person to person through close contact. Even though the disease originated in China, you're not at risk of getting the disease if you, for example, go to a Chinese restaurant or shop at a Chinese-owned business.
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Question 6 of 22:

Will the COVID-19 outbreak stop when the weather gets warmer?

  1. Many viruses, such as the flu, do not spread as rapidly in spring and summer months.
    The spread of COVID-19 does not appear to slow or stop during warmer weather, and can spread rapidly throughout the summer months.[10]
Question 7 of 22:

What should I do if I think I'm sick with COVID-19?

  1. Call your doctor...
    Call your doctor if you have fever, cough, and shortness of breath and have recently returned from travel or come into contact with an infected person. Tell them you suspect you may have COVID-19 and ask your doctor what to do. They will likely tell you to either stay home and isolate yourself or go to an isolated medical setting for testing. Local hospitals, state public health labs and the CDC are handling testing as of October 2020, but there could be a backlog in your area.[11]
    • Call ahead to your doctor or to a hospital and let them know that you want to come in and you suspect you have COVID-19. Giving them this warning will allow them to make preparations so you don't spread the disease to others if you do have it.
    • If you have a medical emergency, let emergency responders know when you call them that you suspect you have COVID-19 so they can also take precautions. They will likely isolate you in a negative pressure room so it’s less likely the virus will infect others.
    • If you are outside the United States, your national health agency or the World Health Organization (WHO) will likely manage testing in your area.
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Question 8 of 22:

How is someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

  1. Testing for COVID-19 is widely available in many parts of the world now.
    Ask your doctor or simply search for a nearby testing site.[12] Self-tests are also available now that can be done at home. If you self-test, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.[13]
    • If you have pneumonia or difficulty breathing, your doctor might order X-rays of your lungs.
Question 9 of 22:

Do you have to stay in the hospital if you have COVID-19?

  1. Not necessarily.
    More severe cases require hospitalization. However, most people who contract COVID-19 can stay in their homes, as long as they self-isolate.[14] Your doctor will let you know if you can go home or if you need to be hospitalized. Either way, you will need to be quarantined so you won’t spread the virus.[15]
    • Your state public health department will tell you when it’s okay for you to leave quarantine. They’ll track you throughout your recovery to make sure you’re getting better and aren’t exposing others to the virus.
    • You may need to go to the hospital if you need a ventilator to help you breathe. Hospitals can also supply you with extra oxygen, which makes it easier for you to breathe on your own.
    • If you feel more comfortable staying in the hospital than going home, let your doctor know. For example, you might be concerned about spreading the disease to your family if you return home.
    • Continue to monitor your symptoms if you're staying at home. If your symptoms become more severe, call your doctor as soon as possible.[16]
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Question 10 of 22:

What medications are available for COVID-19?

  1. As of April...
    As of April 2022, there are a few medications with emergency use authorizations to treat COVID-19, though there is not yet a reliable cure. Pharmaceutical companies and research organizations are continuing to conduct trials of antiviral drugs to treat the disease.[17]
    • In November 2020, the FDA gave emergency use authorization for the drug bamlanivimab and to a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab. These monoclonal antibodies are for people who have risk factors for serious disease and tested positive but have not yet been hospitalized. These drugs may reduce the chances of serious illness if given at the right time.[18]
    • Patients who are hospitalized may receive dexamethasone, a corticosteroid which can help dampen the extreme and dangerous immune response to the coronavirus in some cases known as a "cytokine storm." Patients are also likely to receive blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots.[19]
    • Remdesivir was also given emergency use authorization by the FDA and may help moderately reduce the recovery time in people who have been hospitalized.[20]
    • In December 2021, the FDA approved an oral antiviral drug for COVID-19, Paxlovid.[21]
    • You can take over-the-counter medications to relieve your fever and other symptoms of COVID-19. Just keep in mind that these medications are only relieving the symptoms themselves — they are not treating the virus.

    Warning: Monitor your symptoms while taking over-the-counter drugs and call your doctor if they seem to be getting worse or if they don't improve despite taking over-the-counter drugs.

Question 11 of 22:

Is there a vaccine?

  1. Safe and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson are approved for use in the US and other countries. These vaccines are widely available to anybody who wants to receive them, though you may need to set up an appointment and search online for providers in your area.
    • There is no charge for the vaccine in the US and many other countries.
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Question 12 of 22:

How can I keep from spreading COVID-19 to others?

  1. If your doctor...
    If your doctor has confirmed that you have COVID-19, or if you are suspected of having COVID-19, isolate yourself from others. Stay at home except when you're going to get medical care. When you go to the doctor, always wear a facemask and avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. While at home, take the following precautions:[22]
    • Stay in a separate room from everyone else and use a separate bathroom if possible.
    • Basic surgical masks help prevent the spread of the virus by stopping the wearer from exposing others to coughing or sneezing. If you are sick, wear a surgical mask when you are around others if possible.[23]
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Immediately throw the tissue into a trashcan and wash your hands.
    • Don't share household utensils, towels, bedding, or clothing with other members of your household.
    • Monitor your symptoms and call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
Question 13 of 22:

How can you tell when COVID-19 has run its course?

  1. It can be difficult to know for sure.
    This is because symptoms are often mild. Your public health department will monitor you while you’re in quarantine and tell you when you’re clear to leave your home or the hospital. Once your symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours, they’ll test you to see if you still have the virus.[24]
    • Don’t leave your quarantine until the public health department confirms that it’s safe for you to do so. They may keep you in quarantine for several days after you're no longer symptomatic just in case.
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Question 14 of 22:

How can I protect myself from COVID-19?

  1. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to avoid being around people who are sick with the disease.
    However, if the person is asymptomatic, you may have no way of knowing if they have the disease until you've already contracted the virus. Other steps you can take to minimize your exposure include:[25]
    • Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • Distancing yourself from others and spending most of your time at home
    • Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as little as possible
    • Staying home if you are sick (even if you just have a common cold)
    • Cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces that are frequently touched in your household at least once a day
    • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and immediately throwing the tissue in the trash
    • Get vaccinated if a vaccine is available to you. Many COVID-19 vaccines are in development and two has been approved for emergency use in the US, but because supplies are limited the vaccine will first be distributed to health care workers, people in long-term care facilities and others with conditions that put them at risk of a serious illness. The vaccine has shown to be highly effective in studies and has mild side effects.[26]
    • Be wary of suspicious phone calls or emails related to COVID-19 that are requesting money or information from you or asking you to click a link. There has been an increase in these scams recently where criminals pretend to be from the CDC.[27]
Question 15 of 22:

How can I help with efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

  1. The most important thing you can do is stay home!
    Practicing social distancing when you have to be out will also help protect you and those around you. If you're able, it's also a great idea to donate to organizations that are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. It's a complex, global problem, and these organizations need all the help they can get.[28]
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Question 16 of 22:

What should I do if I can't avoid someone with COVID-19?

  1. Wear disposable gloves and a respirator at all times when you're in the same room.
    Avoid touching the person's bodily fluids. If you wash a sick person's clothing, sheets, blankets, or towels, wear disposable gloves and don't let them touch your clothing or skin while they're dirty.[29]
    • Throw away disposable gloves immediately after using them and wash your hands thoroughly. While wearing disposable gloves, don't touch any part of your body, especially your face or your eyes.
    • Even if you are just caring for a sick person, you should be sure to self isolate for 14 days since you may be able to carry and spread the virus even if you have no symptoms.[30]
Question 17 of 22:

What's the difference between a respirator and a surgical mask?

  1. A surgical mask, or facemask, is meant to protect the surrounding environment from your respiratory issues.
    In contrast, a respirator protects you from anything in the environment.[31]
    • Since the highly contagious Omicron variant became the dominant strain of COVID-19, cloth masks are no longer effective at containing the spread of the virus. Choose a surgical or n-95 mask instead, if possible.
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Question 18 of 22:

What if I come into contact with someone who has COVID-19?

  1. Call your doctor immediately.
    They will likely advise you to isolate yourself for 14 days. If you don't get any symptoms within that 14-day period, your doctor will likely conclude that you don’t have the disease.[32]
    • If you've only recently been exposed to COVID-19, any diagnostic test might come back negative. Typically, your doctor will advise you to wait a couple of days before coming in for testing, unless you are already showing symptoms.
Question 19 of 22:

How long should I isolate myself if I'm exposed to COVID-19?

  1. COVID-19 has an incubation period as long as 14 days.
    Generally, this means that if you're exposed to COVID-19, you could get sick from the virus up to two weeks after you were first exposed. Quarantine yourself and notify your doctor that you may need to be tested. From there, the public health department will monitor your progress and tell you when it’s safe to leave quarantine.[33]
    • Even if you do get sick during that 14-day period, it might not necessarily be related to COVID-19. You could get sick because of something else.
    • If 14 days pass and you don't show any signs of illness, this generally means that you're no longer at risk for getting sick from COVID-19 or passing the illness on to others.

    Warning: It may be possible to spread COVID-19 even while you don’t have symptoms if you’ve been infected. Take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you've been exposed to the virus, even if you don't have any symptoms.[34]

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Question 20 of 22:

Should I wear a facemask in public to keep from getting COVID-19?

  1. Yes you should.
    Facemasks are recommended by the CDC for use indoors in public places such as grocery stores, public transport or any other area where you might come into contact with a lot of people.[35]
    • Wearing face coverings may help prevent transmission from people who carry the virus but have no symptoms.
    • If you are wearing a mask you still must wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Question 21 of 22:

Can I get COVID-19 from touching a contaminated surface?

  1. It’s possible, but this isn’t the main way the virus spreads.
    Experts believe COVID-19 spreads through droplets from infected people. If these droplets settle on a surface, you touch them, and then you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, it’s possible you will get sick. Recent studies have shown a 99 percent reduction in surface transmission after 3 days.[36]
    • Clean and sanitize items around your house that are frequently touched by people, such as television remotes, phones, and doorknobs, at least once a day.[37]
    • If someone in your household is sick, isolate them and don't share household items with them. Clean their items separately from everyone else's.
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Question 22 of 22:

Can pets get COVID-19?

  1. In rare cases.
    There have been very few cases where COVID-19 spread from humans to animals but the risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be very low. If you have COVID-19, you should let someone else in your household take care of any pets while you are sick and keep them out of your room.[38]


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    Can you get pneumonia from COVID-19?
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    Most people only have a mild case. Around 81% of all cases of COVID-19 result in only mild pneumonia or no pneumonia at all. In a small number of cases, pneumonia does develop.
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  • If you or a member of your household are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/about-covid-19/basics-covid-19.html
  2. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus
  3. ↑ https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
  4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963
  5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7834220/
  6. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  7. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/faq.htm
  8. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/23/coronavirus-is-it-safe-to-buy-imported-goods-amid-the-pandemic.html
  9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/reduce-stigma/index.html
  1. ↑ https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters#sun
  2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing.html
  5. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  6. ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-the-basics
  7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/treating-covid-19-at-home/art-20483273
  8. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/condition/covid-19.html#treatments
  9. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
  10. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
  11. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
  12. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19
  13. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html
  14. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  15. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  16. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html
  17. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/work.html
  18. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/media/phishing.html
  19. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/preventing-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus
  20. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  21. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  22. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-and-face-masks
  23. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/if-youve-been-exposed-to-the-coronavirus
  24. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  25. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-symptoms-frequently-asked-questions
  26. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
  27. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html
  28. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/covid/
  29. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/covid-19/pets.html

About this article

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This article was co-authored by United Nations Foundation and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. The United Nations Foundation brings together the ideas, people, and resources the United Nations needs to drive global progress and tackle urgent problems. The UN Foundation’s hallmark is to collaborate for lasting change and innovate to address humanity’s greatest challenges. The UN Foundation focuses on issues with transformative potential, including Climate, Energy and Environment; Girls and Women; Global Health; and Data and Technology. This article has been viewed 202,696 times.
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Updated: September 15, 2025
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Article SummaryX

To deal with the coronavirus outbreak, take basic precautions to protect yourself and others from getting sick. Stay home as much as possible, especially if your local government has issued shelter-in-place orders. If you have to go out, wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Put on a fabric face mask when you’re out if possible. If you feel sick, stay home, even if you think it’s just a common cold. Put on a mask if you have to be around other people, and always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your arm if you have to cough or sneeze. If you think you may have come into contact with someone who has the virus, or if you start to get symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or a fever, call your doctor for advice. For more tips from our Human Rights co-author, including how to treat COVID-19, keep reading!

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