2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Q. What are coronaviruses? and shortness of breath. Call your others and to possibly prevent A: Coronaviruses are respiratory healthcare provider if you have these getting ill from close contact in viruses named for the crown-like symptoms and have recently crowded public spaces where spikes on the surface of travelled to China, or if you someone with novel coronavirus may the virus. These range have these symptoms cough or sneeze directly on them. from viruses that cause and have been in close the common cold, to personal contact with Q. What can I do to prevent getting severe acute respiratory someone who has been sick from novel coronavirus? syndrome (SARS) and the sick with novel coronavirus. A: You are at a greater risk of getting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Unless your symptoms are severe, seriously ill from the influenza virus (MERS). The latest coronavirus from call your healthcare provider first, than the novel coronavirus. Get a flu China is called the 2019 Novel rather than showing up in the office shot if you haven’t already. Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This new or Emergency Room. When you call The following tips will help to prevent coronavirus is different from the or visit, be sure to note your symp- novel coronavirus as well as other others and we are learning more toms, and travel history or exposure respiratory viruses: about it every day. to a person diagnosed with the virus. • Wash your hands often with soap Q. How do you get infected with Q. If I get the novel coronavirus will and water for at least the novel coronavirus? I die? 20 seconds. If soap A: Novel coronavirus is spread by A: Not likely, based on what we know and water are not close person-to-person contact from now. The people most likely to get available, use an droplets from a cough or sneeze, seriously ill from this virus are people alcohol-based hand which can get into your mouth, nose, over 60 and those with pre-existing sanitizer with at least or lungs. Close contact is defined as health conditions. Currently it is 60% alcohol. estimated that for every 100 cases of being within approximately 6 feet of • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, 2019-nCoV, between 2 and 4 people another person. There aren’t many and mouth, especially with would die. This is very different from cases in the U.S., so the risk of unwashed hands. contracting the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome • Avoid close contact with people is low. (SARS), where nearly 10 in 100 sick people died from the illness. who are showing symptoms of illness. Q. How do I know if I have novel coronavirus? Q. I see people in China wearing • Clean and disinfect frequently masks, should I be doing that? touched objects and surfaces. A: The CDC is making available a test specifically to determine whether A: No. Health officials in the U.S. do • Cover your cough or sneezes with patients have coronavirus. General not recommend the use of masks a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. testing by your healthcare provider among the general public because Throw the tissue in the garbage will not identify the novel strain. risk of infection is low and limited to and make sure to clean your Symptoms of novel coronavirus may close contacts (e.g., husband and hands afterwards. wife). People in China, where spread appear in as few as 2 days, or in as • Stay home when you are sick. many as 14 days after exposure. is more likely, have been instructed Symptoms can include: fever, cough, to wear masks to prevent infecting 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Spreads through close personal contact with a sick person SYMPTOMS MAY SHOW UP 2-14 DAYS LATER Symptoms • Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath Call your healthcare provider if: • You have symptoms and have been to China in the last 2 weeks. • You have symptoms and have been in close contact with a person with confirmed 2019-nCoV. Prevention • Wash your hands often. • Cover your cough/sneeze with tissue. • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. • Avoid close contact with sick people. • Clean high-touch surfaces often. • Stay home when you are sick. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is creating a safer world through the 1400 Crystal Drive, Suite 900 prevention of infection. APIC’s nearly 16,000 members develop and direct infection prevention and control programs that Arlington, VA 22202 save lives and improve the bottom line for healthcare facilities. APIC advances its mission through patient safety, education, www.apic.org implementation science, competencies and certification, advocacy, and data standardization. Visit us at apic.org..