What is COVID-19?

 

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a form of the coronavirus. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and there are now multiple variants of this virus circulating around the globe. >> Get the latest updates

COVID-19 Vaccine About COVID-19 testing

COVID variants

Over the past two years scientists have identified new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. This is not uncommon, as respiratory viruses can change often. Right now, the dominant COVID-19 variant in the U.S. is the omicron variant.

Learn more about the omicron variant >

Learn more about the BA.5 subvariant >

The best way to protect yourself and others from new versions of COVID-19 is to get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster and continue wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often.

What makes COVID-19 (coronavirus) different?

 

Michelle Barron, MD of UCHealth explains the difference between the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the flu.

People who have contracted COVID-19 have a range of symptoms, from mild, cold-like symptoms to severe respiratory symptoms like those found with pneumonia. Certain severe cases have resulted in death. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as many as 14 days after exposure.

Symptoms may include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Severe headache
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of smell or taste

Treatment varies depending on the severity of the illness. Some patients who get COVID-19 are likely to cope with mild to moderate symptoms. These patients should isolate themselves at home and can recover from the illness as they would from the flu, by getting plenty of fluids, resting and treating any fevers or body aches with over-the-counter medications. People coping with a severe form of COVID-19 may develop pneumonia and other breathing difficulties. These patients may require hospitalization.

People who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or think they may have been exposed to COVID-19, should contact their health care provider immediately.

Ivermectin and COVID-19

UCHealth is not authorized to order, prescribe or dispense Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial.

Certain forms of Ivermectin are approved in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals. This includes pour-on, injectable, paste and “drench” forms. Ivermectin tablets are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use at very exact doses to treat some parasitic worms. There are also topical (on the skin) forms for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.

Ivermectin is not approved to prevent or treat COVID-19. The use of this drug to treat COVID-19 is strongly opposed by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), American Medical Association (AMA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), National Institute of Health (NIH) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also warns that Ivermectin is not approved for treatment of COVID-19.

Ivermectin facts:

  • The FDA has not approved Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 in humans. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
  • Current data do not show that Ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials are ongoing to study Ivermectin tablets to prevent or treat COVID-19 in people.
  • Poison control centers across the U.S. have received 3 to 5 times the number of calls for human exposures to Ivermectin, since before the pandemic.
  • Taking large doses of Ivermectin is dangerous. The U.S. poison control centers have reported serious adverse effects after people have taken Ivermectin intended for use in cattle or bought online. These reports are linked to an increase in emergency department and hospital visits.
  • If your health care provider writes you an Ivermectin prescription, fill it through a trusted source such as a pharmacy. Take it exactly as prescribed.
  • Never use medications used to treat animals on yourself or other people. Animal Ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal Ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 in humans is dangerous.

Signs of Ivermectin poisoning include: digestive effects (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea), headache, blurred vision, dizziness, fast heart rate (tachycardia), low blood pressure (hypotension), seeing things that aren’t really there (visual hallucinations), altered mental status, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, slowed breathing or heart rate (CNS depression) and seizures. Ivermectin may increase how sleepy you feel from other medicines, such as benzodiazepines (sometimes called “benzos”) and barbiturates.

The most effective way to protect yourself from serious illness or death is to get the COVID-19 vaccine and follow current CDC guidelines.

Monoclonal antibody or antiviral therapy

Recent changes in the COVID-19 variant, Omicron, have caused the nation’s current monoclonal treatment option to be ineffective. UCHealth continues to offer antiviral therapy for those at greatest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

For people at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, antiviral treatment given early can significantly reduce the risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 disease and needing hospitalization. The treatment can also shorten the duration of COVID-19 symptoms.

Paxlovid is an oral antiviral medication that was approved to treat COVID-19 in December 2021 by the FDA. Supply of this medication is very limited. Only patients at highest risk for getting very sick or being hospitalized will be considered for this treatment.

Another option for COVID-19 therapy is an antiviral called Remdesivir. Remdesivir is approved by the FDA and helps reduce the effects of COVID-19. Remdesivir is given by an intravenous (IV) infusion over three (3) consecutive days.

Learn more

Is there a vaccine to prevent COVID-19?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued full approval for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (now called Comirnaty) for people who are age 16 or older, and Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people who are age 12 through 15, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines for people who are age 18 or older.

Get the latest COVID-19 vaccine updates and information.

Who is most at risk after contracting COVID-19?

As with all viruses, some people are more vulnerable than others. According to the CDC, older adults and people who have certain underlying conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

According to the CDC, the virus appears to spread:

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • From respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

What can you do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine. Studies show that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.
  • Follow state and local guidelines regarding mask wearing and social distancing.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash for at least 20 seconds before you eat, after you sneeze and after using the bathroom.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers in addition to hand-washing.
  • Regularly clean surfaces like counters and your mobile phone.
  • Avoid community candy jars and be careful at buffets where many people touch surfaces or utensils.
  • Sneeze and cough into a sleeve rather than into your hand or the air.
  • Avoid contact with anyone with cold or flu symptoms.
  • Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
  • If you’re sick or you are immune-compromised, avoid places with large numbers of people.

UCHealth is offering COVID-19 testing for people:

  • Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.
  • Who have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.
  • Who would like a test for medical procedures, work or travel.

Learn more or schedule a COVID-19 test.

Coronavirus symptoms

COVID-19 FAQs

No. The FDA has not approved ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 in humans. Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous. The U.S. poison control centers have reported serious adverse effects after people have taken ivermectin intended for use in cattle or bought online.

Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea. If your health care provider writes you an ivermectin prescription, fill it through a trusted source such as a pharmacy. Take it exactly as prescribed. Never use medications used to treat animals on yourself or other people. Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 in humans is dangerous.

Signs of ivermectin poisoning include: digestive effects (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea), headache, blurred vision, dizziness, fast heartrate (tachycardia), low blood pressure (hypotension), seeing things that aren’t really there (visual hallucinations), altered mental status, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, slowed breathing or heart rate (CNS depression) and seizures. Ivermectin may increase how sleepy you feel from other medicines such as benzodiazepines (sometimes called “benzos”) and barbiturates.

UCHealth providers have deep experience caring for patients with infectious diseases. We are separating patients with suspected infections from healthy patients. UCHealth facilities that are caring for patients with COVID-19 have designated areas where caregivers isolate patients who may have COVID-19. Learn more at uchealth.org/covid19.

UCHealth leaders are teaming up with Colorado’s governor and leaders of other hospital systems to constantly monitor the number of available beds, supplies and staffing throughout the state. UCHealth providers are prepared to care for severely ill patients with COVID-19 in addition to other patients.

People with mild to moderate cases often report feeling better in a couple of weeks. For those with severe illness, it can take several weeks to recover. And, unfortunately, some people who are severely ill — particularly older people and those with other health challenges — can die from the virus. That’s why it’s so critical to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you and to continue to follow state and local safety guidelines.

If you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms like a fever, a cough or cold symptoms, you should stay home and isolate yourself for at least 14 days. The best way to prevent the spread of the disease is to avoid spending time with other people.

Older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions or suppressed immune systems are at greater risk for suffering poor outcomes if they get COVID-19. If you fall into one of these categories, getting the COVID-19 vaccine may protect you from severe illness, hospitalization and death.

The virus spreads most easily from person to person through droplets from coughing and sneezing. Scientists found that the virus that causes COVID-19 will likely die within hours to days. Again, your best bet is to wash your hands often and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Yes, our primary care, urgent care, emergency rooms, specialty clinics and hospitals are open and safe. As we schedule appointments, we are taking every precaution possible to ensure it’s safe to see your doctor while receiving the highest level of care.

People with symptoms of COVID-19 should email or call their provider before seeking care. Patients can also arrange a visit with providers at UCHealth’s Virtual Urgent Care.

Medical experts advise people to be wary of random information they find online.

The best way to be sure you are getting facts rather than opinions is to seek information from sources you can trust including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

In addition, you can count on UCHealth to provide you with regular updates and answers to your questions from trusted UCHealth medical experts at uchealth.org/covid19.