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
Over the past year 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. The omicron variant is recognized as being more contagious and transmissible than the original virus that causes COVID-19, as well as the delta variant.
Learn more about the delta variant >
Learn more about the omicron variant >
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For people at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, monoclonal antibody 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. People who are not in one or more of the high-risk groups will not be considered under the FDA guidance at this time.
Due to a shortage of monoclonal antibody medicine, all orders for monoclonal antibody therapy will be reviewed. Appointments will be made based on patient risk and treatment availability.
Two new COVID-19 oral antiviral medications were approved in late December 2021 by the FDA, paxlovid and molnupiravir. Like monoclonal antibody therapy, supplies of these medications are very limited. Only patients at highest risk for getting very sick or being hospitalized will be considered for this treatment.
These oral antiviral medications each have specific side effects and disease and drug interactions, so our virtual health providers and pharmacists are screening patient histories carefully before these medications are given to patients.
Learn moreThe 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.
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:
UCHealth is offering COVID-19 testing for people:
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.
