COVID-19 frequently asked outpatient questions

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Frequently Asked Outpatient Questions

COVID-19 Main Page

Knowledge Based Questions

Everyday Life Questions

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Covid-19 in the Workplace

Public Safety Questions

Travel Related Questions

Pregnancy and COVID-19

Children and COVID-19

Pets/Animals and COVID-19

Keeping Spirits High in Quarantine

Vaccine Related Questions

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2] Aisha Adigun, B.Sc., M.D.[3] Neepa Shah, M.B.B.S.[4] Oluwabusola Fausat Adogba, MD[5]

Synonyms and keywords:

Knowledge Based Questions

  • What tests are used to diagnose COVID-19?
    • The FDA has so far approved two types of tests for diagnosing COVID-19; a molecular test that detects the virus's genetic material using a lab technique called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and an antigen test that detects certain proteins that are part of the virus.[1]
  • How accurate are the COVID-19 serology tests?
  • Can the coronavirus disease be transmitted through the air over long distances?
  • Are masks effective against the coronavirus disease?
  • Is COVID-19 serious?
  • What is the source of the virus?
  • How does the virus spread?
  • Can someone who has been quarantined for COVID-19 spread the illness?
  • Are countries with warmer climates immune to COVID-19?
  • How can I help protect myself?
  • Can antibiotics treat the coronavirus disease?
  • Is bleach an effective cleaning agent for the coronavirus disease?
  • Can you have the coronavirus disease without a fever?
  • What is the recovery time for the coronavirus disease?
  • Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?
  • Can the coronavirus disease spread through feces?
  • Can the coronavirus disease spread through food?
  • Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?
  • Can the coronavirus disease spread through water?
  • Can I get sick with COVID-19 if it is on the food?
  • Does drinking alcohol kill the coronavirus?
  • What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
  • Where do I go to get tested for COVID-19?
  • How can I avoid getting infected with COVID-19?
  • Can I get COVID-19 from my pets or other animals?
  • Can I still get my scheduled routine vaccinations?
  • Can I still get my recommended diagnostic test (eg colonoscopy)?

Everyday Life Questions

  • How can I get back to work and avoid infection?
  • What do I need to protect myself when I go to the gym?
  • My wife and I are >65. Is it safe to go to the store?
  • What is the difference between self-isolation, social-distancing, and quarantine?
  • Can I report someone who I believe is infected but has refused to self isolate?
  • As a business owner, how can I protect my staff?
    • Screen the staff by taking temperature and disinfect hands with soap and water, wear a mask/face cloth, practice social distancing with 6 feet apart, disinfect frequently touched surfaces multiple times in a day and self-monitor for any symptoms of coronavirus like high fever, dry cough, muscle pain, and other flu-like symptoms.
  • I have underlying health conditions, should I go to work?
  • Does cooking kill the coronavirus?
  • Can the coronavirus disease spread through frozen food?
  • Can people that died from the coronavirus disease have a funeral?
  • Can you contract the coronavirus disease from a package in the mail?
  • Does drinking alcohol increase my risk of getting COVID-19?
  • Does smoking cigarettes increase my risk of getting COVID-19?
  • When can I discontinue self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19?

Cleaning and Disinfecting

  • All of the information below has been compiled from the CDC, WHO, and the FDA websites.[2] [3]
  • According to a study performed by Arthur Chang et al[4] it was found that there was 20% increase in the number of chemical exposures as reported by the National Poison Data System in the U.S for a period of 3 months from January 2020 to March 2020 as compared to the 3 months duration from January 2019 to March 2019.
  • How do I clean and disinfect surfaces?
    • Use soap and water to clean the surfaces which will help in cleaning the dirt. Afterward, use disinfectants to kill the microbes. Here is a list of disinfectants approved by the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency). Always use disposable gloves.
  • What surfaces at home should I disinfect regularly?
    • High contact surfaces such as; doorknobs, sinks, dining tables, Phones, Laptops, light switches, keyboards.
  • What products can I use for disinfecting the home?
    • Here is a list of disinfectants approved by the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency). The EPA list mentions the EPA registration number not products by brand name. Check your cleaning/disinfectant products for the EPA registration number on the disinfectant.
  • Can I use bleach to disinfect at home?
    • Yes, use bleach 5 tablespoons per gallon of water.
  • How often, and when do I clean hands with soap and water while at home?
    • Wash hands before and after cooking, eating, cleaning surfaces, laundry, touching any supplies brought from the store.
  • Do I have to separate the laundry of a COVID-19 infected family member?
    • You can mix laundry. Be sure to wash hands before and after doing laundry.
  • What precautions can I take as a caregiver to my family in quarantine?
    • If you are the caregiver at your house, provide support with basic needs i.e; give medicines as per doctor's advice, give medicines to help with symptoms (i.e acetaminophen to lower fever). It is very important to watch for warning signs like - Trouble breathing, excessive pain in the chest, lack of response to verbal stimulation, confusion, and bluish discoloration of lips. Clean and disinfect the house as per the above recommendations. Have a separate bathroom if possible. Wear disposable gloves and wash hands with soap and water afterward when handling laundry or utensils of infected persons. Limit contact, wear a scarf or cloth face mask when around the sick person at home. Check if you are getting any symptoms like fever, dry cough, muscle pain, and other flu-like symptoms. As a caregiver, you should quarantine yourself for 14 days if you have come in contact with the sick person whether you are symptomatic or not.
  • I don't have symptoms but my family member has tested positive should I quarantine myself?
    • Yes
  • How do I clean fruits and vegetables?
    • First wash hands before and after washing vegetables with soap and water and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables in water take extra care if you are eating raw.
  • How can I stay safe while shopping for supplies at the supermarket?
    • Wear a mask and try to keep a 1-meter distance from other people. Use disinfectant wipes to sanitize the handle of the shopping basket and trolley handles. After coming home make sure to wash hands after properly cleaning vegetables, and other food products with plastic containers should be sanitized with disinfectant wipes as its found that coronavirus can stay on the plastic container for 72 hours, 4 hours on the copper vessel and 24 hours on cardboard.[5]

Public Safety Questions

  • Does a mask really decrease my chances of getting infected?
  • What are droplets and aerosols?

Travel Related Questions

  • I recently returned from a COVID-19 hotspot, What do I do?
  • What precautionary measures can my family and I take when we travel?
  • When can I return to work after a arrive from a country with confirmed COVID-19 cases?
  • What should I do if there was a sick passenger on my flight?
  • Should I delay my vacation?
  • Does a particular mode of transportation increase my risk of contracting COVID-19?
  • Can I go camping?
  • Should I wear a face-covering throughout my trip?
  • What do I do if I get sick after a recent Trip?
  • What steps can I take to decrease my chance of infection during a trip?

Pregnancy and COVID-19

  • I am pregnant, how can I protect myself from contracting COVID-19?
  • Are COVID-19 outcomes worse in pregnant women?
  • Can I pass the virus to my unborn child?
  • What should I do if I am pregnant and get sick?
  • Are the risks of known pregnancy complications increased due to COVID-19?

Children and COVID-19

  • How can I protect my child from contracting COVID-19?
  • Can family members visit my newborn child?
  • Is COVID-19 transmitted via breast milk?
  • What is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)? Is it fatal and what precautions are to be taken to avoid it?
  • Is it safe to allow my toddler go back to school?

Pets/Animals and COVID-19

  • Is it currently safe to adopt an animal from a shelter?
  • Can animals contract COVID-19 from humans?
  • Can humans contract COVID-19 from animals humans?
  • What do I do if my pet gets sick after being in contact with a sick person?
  • Should my pet be tested?
  • What should I do if I think my pet has COVID-19?
  • Are animals responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak in humans?
  • What precautions can I take with live-in animals and animal products?
  • Is there currently a COVID-19 vaccine for pets?
  • Should my pet wear a face mask in public?

Keeping Spirits High in Quarantine


References

  1. ↑ Patel R, Babady E, Theel ES, Storch GA, Pinsky BA, St George K; et al. (2020). "Report from the American Society for Microbiology COVID-19 International Summit, 23 March 2020: Value of Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19". mBio. 11 (2). doi:10.1128/mBio.00722-20. PMC 7157705 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32217609 Check |pmid= value (help).
  2. ↑ CDC. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): cleaning and disinfecting your home. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html
  3. ↑ CDC. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): cases in the US. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  4. ↑ Chang A, Schnall AH, Law R, Bronstein AC, Marraffa JM, Spiller HA; et al. (2020). "Cleaning and Disinfectant Chemical Exposures and Temporal Associations with COVID-19 - National Poison Data System, United States, January 1, 2020-March 31, 2020". MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 69 (16): 496–498. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6916e1. PMC 7188411 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32324720 Check |pmid= value (help).
  5. ↑ van Doremalen N, Bushmaker T, Morris DH, Holbrook MG, Gamble A, Williamson BN; et al. (2020). "Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1". N Engl J Med. 382 (16): 1564–1567. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2004973. PMC 7121658 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32182409 Check |pmid= value (help).


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