Are people of a particular age vulnerable to coronavirus disease?

COVID-19Common questionAre people of a particular age vulnerable to coronavirus disease?People of all ages can be infected by the COVID-19 virus.Older people and younger people can be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

Why are older people at significant risk of COVID-19?

COVID-19Common questionWhy are older people at significant risk of COVID-19?Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions.3 Apr 2020

Is a smoker at a higher risk of getting the COVID-19 virus than that a non-smoker?

COVID-19Common questionSee full answerIs a smoker at a higher risk of getting the COVID-19 virus than that a non-smoker?At the time of preparing this Q&A, there are no peer-reviewed studies that have evaluated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with smoking. However, tobacco smokers (cigarettes, waterpipes, bidis, cigars, heated tobacco products) may be more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, as the act of smoking involves contact of fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) with the lips, which increases the possibility of transmission of viruses from hand to mouth. Smoking waterpipes, also known as shisha or hookah, often involves the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of the COVID-19 virus in communal and social settings.27 May 2020

Can smoking increase the risk of serious COVID-19 disease?

COVID-19Common questionSee full answerCan smoking increase the risk of serious COVID-19 disease?Early research indicates that, compared to non-smokers, having a history of smoking may substantially increase the chance of adverse health outcomes for COVID-19 patients, including being admitted to intensive care, requiring mechanical ventilation and suffering severe health consequences [1] [2]. Smoking is already known to be a risk-factor for many other respiratory infections, including colds, influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis [3]. The effects of smoking on the respiratory system makes it more likely that smokers contract these diseases, which could be more severe [4] [5].Smoking is also associated with increased development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a key complication for severe cases of COVID-19 [6], among people with severe respiratory infections [7] [8]. Any kind of tobacco smoking is harmful to bodily systems, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems [9]

How long does it take for symptoms of the coronavirus disease to appear?

COVID-19Common questionHow long does it take for symptoms of the coronavirus disease to appear?On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?

COVID-19Common questionWhat are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‐19

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?

COVID-19Common questionCan COVID-19 be transmitted through food?There is currently no evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food. The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed at temperatures similar to that of other known viruses and bacteria found in food.14 Aug 2020

What are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?

COVID-19Common questionWhat are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors.

Which types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?

COVID-19Common questionWhich types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?The “Three C’s” are a useful way to think about this. They describe settings where transmission of the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily:• Crowded places;• Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other;• Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

Where was COVID-19 first discovered?

COVID-19Common questionWhere was COVID-19 first discovered?The first known infections from SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in Wuhan, China. The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear, as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.

What is the origin of COVID-19?

COVID-19Common questionWhat is the origin of COVID-19?Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was first isolated from three people with pneumonia connected to the cluster of acute respiratory illness cases in Wuhan. All structural features of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus particle occur in related coronaviruses in nature.

How long have coronaviruses existed?

COVID-19Common questionHow long have coronaviruses existed?The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all coronaviruses is estimated to have existed as recently as 8000 BCE, although some models place the common ancestor as far back as 55 million years or more, implying long term coevolution with bat and avian species.