Are smokers more likely to contract COVID-19?
Smoking cigarettes can leave smokers more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, which is why there’s never been a better time to quit smoking. FDA’s Every Try Counts campaign has supportive tips and tools to help smokers get closer to quitting for good.
How to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection in gyms, fitness centers and studios?
How does COVID-19 compare to the flu in children?
The risk of complications for healthy children is higher for flu compared to COVID-19. However, infants and children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for both flu and COVID-19.
Can you still have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA after recovering from COVID-19?
Some people who have recovered may have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset, albeit at concentrations considerably lower than during illness, in ranges where replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.
How is COVID-19 transmitted?
The virus is spread primarily from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
How serious is COVID-19 risk compared to the flu?
It was originally thought that people were at far greater risk of contracting the flu than COVID-19. However, the virus is proving to be more infectious and, in some high-risk populations, deadlier than the flu.
Who should get tested for COVID-19?
If you are out and about in the community, we recommend that you receive routine testing once a month or sooner if someone you’ve been around tests positive or if you develop symptoms. In addition, DHEC recommends routine testing of individuals with known exposures or concerns about exposures. Routine testing allows public health workers to diagnose those who are asymptomatic and interrupt the ongoing spread of the virus.
Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I am not sick?
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When should you get tested for COVID-19 if living in South Carolina?
You should be tested immediately after finding out you were a close contact to someone with COVID-19 and you may also be tested again 5-7 days after last contact with the person who has COVID-19 (this is usually about 5-7 days into the quarantine period).
Am I infectious if I have a positive COVID-19 test result?
These people who have a positive test result should be considered infectious and remain isolated until they again meet criteria for discontinuation of isolation or of transmission-based precautions. Contact tracing during the person’s second episode of symptoms is warranted.