Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It is a newly
discovered coronavirus and it is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and
cause mild illness, like the common cold.
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person. This can happen between people who are in close
contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs,
sneezes, or talks may land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into their
lungs. COVID-19 can also spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects when a person touches a
surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this
is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be
spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and/or
shortness of breath. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.
For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to
be low. Older adults1 and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions2 might be at higher
risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to
this virus.