What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a novel coronavirus. Coronaviruses commonly circulate among the population, causing illnesses like the common cold. As the name implies, however, the novel coronavirus is a new strain causing a new disease: COVID-19.
COVID stands for coronavirus disease, and the number 19 indicates the year in which the disease was first recognized: 2019.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely, both in nature and in severity. Some people can have COVID-19 and never present any symptoms at all, while for others, the disease can be fatal.
Some of the symptoms that have been identified for COVID-19 include:
- High fever or chills
- Cough, shortness or breath, or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Headaches, muscle aches, and body aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Runny nose or congestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
It’s important to note that this list is not complete. As the virus has evolved, so has its symptoms.
People who have been infected with the virus might present with many of these symptoms, or they might only present with one or two. In most people, symptoms appear 2-14 days after exposure.
How is COVID testing performed?
There are a few ways to test for COVID-19, including a saliva sample and a nasal swab.
When you get a saliva sample test, your provider uses an object similar to a Q-tip to collect specimens of your saliva from areas in your mouth. When you get a nasal swab, the team uses a longer stick with a soft brush on the end to collect a sample from your nasal cavity.
It’s typically more comfortable to have your sample collected through saliva than it is to have it collected through a nasal swab, but the nasal swab test is more sensitive, meaning that the results are more likely to be accurate.
How do I get started with my COVID testing?
If you think you might have COVID-19 and want to get tested, book an appointment with Harmony Health MD. One of the friendly team members can set you up with a specific appointment time to minimize your exposure to other people in the office.
To schedule your test, simply call Harmony Health MD or use the online tool today.
