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1. What is a novel coronavirus?

Novel (meaning "new") coronavirus is a virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. Health experts are concerned because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness in some people.

2. How does novel Coronavirus spread?

Health experts are still learning the details about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through:

• The air by coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• In rare cases, contact with feces (poop)
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

3. How severe is novel Coronavirus?

Health experts are still learning about the illness caused by the new virus. People infected have had an illness that has ranged from mild (like a common cold) to severe pneumonia that requires medical care in a hospital.

4. What are the symptoms?

People who have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus have symptoms that may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Tips

• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid contact with others
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer

5. How is novel Coronavirus treated?

There is no specific treatment for Coronavirus. Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications. However, some people develop pneumonia and need medical care or treatment in a hospital.

Resources

• Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, and Instagram@njdeptofhealth
• New Jersey Department of Health
• New Jersey Poison Center has a Call Center ,1-800-222-1222 with trained Healthcare Professionals standing by to answer questions about Coronavirus in any language.