COVID-19 (or Coronavirus) is a disease caused by a virus. It mainly spreads when a person infected with the virus breathes out droplets and those droplets are breathed in by another person or land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms often start 2-14 days after exposure, and can include fever, tiredness and trouble breathing. Most people who get COVID will recover without needing special treatment. But older people and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.
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Resources selected by Terri Ottosen, Health Sciences Library, UNC-Chapel Hill,
Last reviewed January 16, 2024