The coronavirus, identified as COVID-19, has understandably attracted the concerned attention of Americans and university students. The flow of information can seem overwhelming at times, so we went to our own expert for answers.
We asked Teena Chopra, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, to answer questions about COVID-19 and the preventive steps students, faculty and staff can take to combat infection, some commonly used definitions related to the virus, and what to do if you become ill or test positive.
Dr. Chopra has been featured in a number of local and national media outlets, including TIME Magazine, offering her expertise on the virus and infectious diseases precautions. She serves on the Wayne State University Presidential Coronavirus Committee, assisting with preparations related to the virus.
What are the symptoms of the coronavirus, and how can I tell if I should see my doctor?
The symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms and have recently traveled or come into close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, you should call your doctor. If the symptoms are mild, it is best to call and inform your doctor first before going to the office.
How do the symptoms differ from the normal flu or cold that I might get at this time of the year?
The symptoms are similar to a flu virus. If you have not traveled recently and have not been exposed to a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 but you have symptoms that include cough, shortness of breath and fever, most likely you have a flu virus, as they are more common this time of year.
If I develop these symptoms, what should my first step be?
If your symptoms are mild, you should call your health care provider. Inform your doctor about your symptoms and that you may have COVID-19. This will help your doctor take the appropriate steps to keep other people from getting infected.
If I feel I have the symptoms, do I go to my primary care doctor or to an emergency room?
If you have symptoms and your symptoms are not severe, please call your doctor first and let him/her know your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe and require medical attention, go to your nearest emergency department. Inform the person at the door right away of your symptoms and your concern that you might have COVID-19 so that they can make the necessary precautions before admitting you.
If I’m told by my doctor that I should self-quarantine and I live at home with my family, what steps should I take? How can my family protect themselves from me during this period?
As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. You should also use a separate bathroom if available. Also, you should limit your contact with pets. Although no reports have been seen on pets getting sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended to avoid them until more information about the virus is obtained.
If a member of my family is told to self-quarantine, how can I help care for them but still protect myself?
It is best to avoid them as much as possible. If you need to help them in their quarantine room, wear a surgical mask while you are in the room, and wash your hands before and after entering their room.
If I’m told by my doctor that I should self-quarantine and I live in a dorm at Wayne State, what steps should I take?
Follow the guidelines issued by the university administration.
If I live in a dorm, and everyone feels fine, what can we do to protect ourselves from the spread of this virus, or any illness?
Hand hygiene is the key. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing and sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with 60% alcohol content.
1. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
3. Disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
4. Stay home when you are sick, and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
What should I be alert to or watching for during my self-quarantine? At the end of the 14 days, what should I do?
Monitor the progress of your symptoms. If your cough worsens or you have shortness of breath or fever, call your doctor immediately so he or she can take the necessary steps to send you to the emergency department without spreading the virus.
If I’m told to self-quarantine but have not been tested, can I take over-the-counter cold/flu medications to alleviate my symptoms?
Yes, you can take over-the-counter cold/flu medications to alleviate symptoms. It is also best to keep yourself hydrated and rest as much as possible.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease and are being observed for symptoms. Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. While quarantines can take place in private residences, isolation often involves patients placed in special rooms in hospitals.
Should I avoid crowds, such as at concerts, plays, restaurants, cafeterias, places of worship?
Yes, you should avoid as much as possible crowded places and stay at home. In the event you cannot avoid these places, follow proper respiratory etiquette (cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow) and perform frequent hand hygiene.
If I need to travel within the U.S. by air, what should I do to protect myself?
If you are travelling within the U.S. by air, wash your hands frequently and avoid crowded places. Separate yourself at least six feet from someone who is sick or has a cough or sniffles.
Will the coronavirus fade away with warmer weather, as we see with the regular flu season?
At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when the weather becomes warmer.
Do I need a mask or hand sanitizer?
If you do not have symptoms, you do not need a mask. The mask is intended for patients who have symptoms to keep them from spreading the virus. You should have a hand sanitizer ready in case there are no areas for hand washing.
With all the talk about washing your hands as a primary precaution, exactly how should I wash my hands?
Here are the five steps the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend when washing hands:
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Is this really a pandemic? What does pandemic really mean?
This is a pandemic. A pandemic consists of sustained community-level outbreaks in at least two world regions.
Are we too concerned about the coronavirus? Are we too panicky?
Coronavirus is certainly a public health concern given the high transmissibility of the virus. Many unanswered questions, including the spectrum of illness, risk factors for acquisition of the disease and the severity of the disease, are creating panic among some people. From a public health standpoint, increased testing is needed to better understand the virus and to implement sensible infection control policies, and to allocate resources to where the disease is more prevalent.
If I have an overseas trip planned, should I cancel it?
The CDC has recommendations on each country and respective levels of warning at its website. It is generally advised not to travel at this time if you can avoid it.
What should I keep in my car that I can use to protect myself after using things like gas pumps and ATMs?
Hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol after using gas pumps or ATMs, or touching any other public surfaces, is the best way to protect yourself.
For additional information, visit Wayne State University’s COVID-19 webpage, which contains links to the CDC website, the Campus Health Center, the university’s travel policy and campus updates.