GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spectrum Health released a set of commonly asked questions about the coronavirus pandemic Thursday, everything from how the virus is different from the flu and common cold, to whether masks really work.
Find all the questions and answers below:
Q: How is COVID-19 different from the flu and the common cold?
A: The common cold is caused by different strains of coronavirus than the strain causing COVID-19. It is also a different virus than the one that causes seasonal flu. COVID-19 spreads faster and easier than influenza and can be more severe and deadly than influenza or the common cold. Most coronavirus infections cause similar types of respiratory illness at the onset. People with COVID-19 may have mild symptoms and sometimes progress to high fever, difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain and even pneumonia. Because initial symptoms of COVID-19 are often similar to those of cold and flu, diagnostic tests can help determine if a person has COVID-19. There are some indications of long-term complications from COVID-19, even in people that have mild symptoms.
Q: Who is at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?
A: Individuals of all ages are at risk for infection and severe disease. People at higher risk include those: age 65 and older; with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes and obesity; and with weakened immune systems. The CDC has a comprehensive list of people at higher risk.
Q: How deadly is COVID-19?
A: Most people who develop COVID-19 will recover. However, there remains a significant risk of severe harm and death from this illness. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions are more likely to die from COVID-19. In the US, we have seen a higher number of deaths in our Black and Latinx communities than would be expected based on population.
Q: Do masks really work?
A: COVID-19 spreads easily from coughs, sneezes or even talking closely with others. Masks block the respiratory droplets that contain virus particles and may help people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when masks are used along with other preventative measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. To be most effective, the mask should fit properly and cover both the nose and mouth. (Note: Bandanas and gaiters have been shown to be less effective than other forms of face mask due to differences in material.)
Q: When will there be a COVID-19 vaccine, and will Spectrum Health support it?
A: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is expecting to have more information about a possible vaccine in late fall 2020 or early 2021. Spectrum Health will support a vaccine when scientific evidence indicates that it is safe and effective. Spectrum Health will not provide a vaccination that does not have FDA approval.
Q: Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children than in adults? Are children at a higher or lower risk?
A: The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. People can get a fever, cough or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date. Overall, several large studies suggest that the disease appears to be less severe in children than in adults, although there are reports of children with COVID-19 requiring hospitalized care. The CDC is investigating cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19.
Q: Can someone spread the COVID-19 virus without being sick?
A: It is possible for people to spread the virus for about two days before experiencing signs or symptoms and remain contagious for at least 10 days after signs or symptoms first appeared. If someone is asymptomatic or their symptoms go away, it is possible to remain contagious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
Q: Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) worsen the course of disease for people with COVID-19?
A: The CDC is currently not aware of scientific evidence establishing a link between NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and the worsening of COVID-19.
Q: Does convalescent plasma therapy work to treat COVID-19?
A: Spectrum Health was the first health system in Michigan to offer convalescent plasma therapy as a treatment option for COVID-19. The FDA gave emergency use authorization for this treatment for COVID-19. Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and meet the criteria, can donate plasma that will be transfused to critically-ill patients to help boost their immune system. Small control studies from across the nation, coordinated by the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project, suggest that convalescent plasma improves outcomes in patients with the COVID-19 virus.
Q: What is the outpatient treatment for COVID-19?
A: There is no specific treatment at this time so the focus is on care that would typically be provided for respiratory illnesses. People with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should isolate from others, monitor their symptoms closely and follow-up with a physician, or visit the emergency department or call 9-1-1 if symptoms are life-threatening.
Q: Can a person get COVID-19 twice? How long will antibodies show up in COVID-19 antibody testing?
A: The presence of antibodies shows that someone may have been infected by or exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. How long antibodies remain present in someone’s system can vary by person. Studies are ongoing regarding antibodies and immunity to COVID-19. According to the CDC, reinfection is unlikely within 90 days, but we are unsure about potential immunity beyond that time frame.
Q: Why are there two different nasal swab type tests for COVID-19? Is one more accurate than the other?
A: There are two nasal swab tests, and some parts of the country are using a saliva test. The traditional one with the longer swab requires more training, more personal protective equipment (PPE) and is more uncomfortable. We continue to perform this test on patients who are symptomatic with fever, cough and shortness of breath. We, like most of the country, have moved to the front of the nose, smaller swab in cases where patients are not symptomatic or have vague symptoms since it is much easier to perform, much more comfortable for the patient and requires less PPE. We have found the difference in accuracy is minimal. We are currently evaluating broader use of our nares swabs as well as new saliva tests that recently were approved.
Q: Is the COVID-19 virus getting weaker and causing less deaths?
A: Spectrum Health’s COVID-19 mortality has been quite low from the beginning for our hospitalized patients, compared to national data. For the population as a whole, as we have tested more and have seen many more young people testing positive, the overall mortality has declined as well.
Q: Is the COVID-19 virus mutating?
A: There is a lot of study about this across the world. At this point, it is unclear if there are clinically significant mutations which are widespread.
Spectrum Health offers virtual COVID-19 screenings to those who have symptoms. Any Michigan resident can be screened and self-schedule a COVID-19 test through Spectrum Health MyChart. You do not have to be a Spectrum Health patient to use this service. Anyone with severe or life-threatening symptoms should call 911.
For more information about COVID-19 at spectrumhealth.org/covid19.
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