Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavisru Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

  • COVID-19 is an infectious disease.
  • COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. It is caused by a coronavirus not found in people before.
  • Getting vaccinated is one of the best things you can do to prevent getting or spreading COVID-19. For more information, visit COVID-19 Vaccine.

For more information on COVID-19, go to the Minnesota Department of Health's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) site. Mensajes clave de COVID-19. Tej Xov Tseem Ceeb Txog Kab Mob COVID-19.

Symptoms

  • Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
    •  fever, 
    • cough, 
    • shortness of breath, 
    • chills, 
    • headache, 
    • muscle pain, 
    • sore throat, 
    • fatigue, 
    • congestion or runny nose, or 
    • loss of taste or smell. 
    • Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after you are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms, and some people may not have any symptoms.
  • Even after recovering from COVID-19, some people may have lingering symptoms such as fatigue, cough, or joint pain. Refer to physical health effects for more information.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about symptoms.

How it spreads

  • COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
    • Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and fine particles that contain the virus.
    • Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
    • Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them. It is important to wash your hands before you touch your mouth, nose, face, or eyes.
  • People can spread the COVID-19 disease to each other.
  • Infected people may be able to spread the disease before they have symptoms or feel sick.
  • A person can also spread the disease if they have no symptoms. Research has shown that around 40-50% of people infected do not develop symptoms.