Questions and answers about COVID-19

How is COVID-19 transmitted?

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly via contact with respiratory droplets or secretions from the respiratory tract. Transmission via droplets happens when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also spread from person to person via physical contact.

What are the symptoms?

Mainly fever and cough. Other commonly reported symptoms are breathing problems, runny or blocked nose, sore throat, headache, nausea, muscle and joint pain.

Who is infected with COVID-19?

A large proportion of the infected have been infected abroad. Those who have been infected in Sweden have been infected by people in their surroundings who have come home from abroad and have been shown to be infected. There are also cases where people are suspected of being infected in society.

Who is at risk of developing severe illness?

Since the virus is new, there are limited knowledge about which groups might run a higher risk of developing severe illness, or how much higher the risk is for them. Available data from the ongoing outbreak indicate that old age is the most prominent risk factor. Older age combined with pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, or diabetes, are at risk.

Is asthma a risk factor?

The Asthma and Allergy Association has compiled questions and answers about asthma and COVID-19. In the studies that have been conducted, people with asthma, allergy or kidney disease are not included as risk groups in the studies.

How long is the incubation time?

According to the Public Health Authority, the time from being infected to becoming ill is usually estimated to be 2-14 days, most of them getting sick after about 5 days.

How to protect yourself?

A general preventive measure against respiratory infection is to avoid touching your face and to avoid close contact with sick people. Wash hands often with soap and warm water and cough and sneeze into your elbow or into a paper tissue to prevent infection from spreading around you, or from contaminating your hands.

How to wash your hands?

According to 1177.se you should rinse your hands, use properly with soap, work up a lather and make sure that your entire hands are covered with lather. You should wash your hands for about 30 seconds and it is important not to forget your thumbs, tops and between your fingers. Finally, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly.

Need to use hand disinfection?

Always wash your hands with soap and water. According to 1177.se, hand sprays help against bacteria and some viruses, but not against everyone. It has a limited effect against viruses that cause stomach upset.

How ill might you get from COVID-19?

Most people get mild symptoms of respiratory tract illness, which clear without treatment. Some people develop a more severe form of disease, for example pneumonia.

Is there a vaccine or treatment?

There is currently no vaccine and no approved medicine against COVID-19.

Does face masks protect against COVID-19?

According to the Public Health Authority, face masks are not needed in in the community. The best way to protect oneself and others in daily life is to maintain social distancing and good hand hygiene. Those who are ill can protect their environment against respiratory droplets with a face mask.

When should you stay at home?

The Public Health Agency thinks that if you feel ill with symptoms including a runny or blocked nose, cough, or fever you should avoid contact with other people. This also applies if you only feel a little bit unwell. Do not go to work or to school. It is very important not to risk passing the illness to anyone else.

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.