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Ronald Januchowski, DO, FACOFP, Editor • Paula Gregory, DO, MBA, CHCQM, FAIHQ, Health Literacy Editor
COVID-19 is the name for the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The virus can travel six feet or more in the droplets of an infected person’s sneeze or cough and this allows it to spread between people. The virus can also temporarily live on surfaces such as door handles, cellphones, and countertops. Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth can result in infection with the COVID-19. If infected with the virus, you may have mild symptoms or none at all. Even without symptoms, you are still considered contagious and can spread the virus to others. Common COVID-19 symptoms are trouble breathing, a fever, being tired, headache, loss of taste, loss of smell and a cough. This list does not include all possible symptoms. For a full list of symptoms,
visit www.cdc.gov. While we learn more about COVID-19, the best way to avoid the disease is to do things to prevent catching it.
HAND HYGIENE
MASKS
Wear a cloth face cover or mask whenever you go out in public, even if you do not feel sick.
The goal of the mask is to protect other people from your droplets and stop the spread of the virus. A mask can be made from any breathable material such as a heavy cotton t-shirt, pillowcase or flannel pajamas. A material with a higher thread count creates a tighter filter and smaller openings the virus must travel through.
Perform a light test to see if the fabric will make a good mask. Hold up a bright light to different fabrics and pick the one that does not allow much light to pass through.
The mask must be worn correctly to work. Put the mask over the bridge of your nose and below your chin, ensuring there are no openings.
Do not take off the mask when out in public.
When taking off the mask, use the loops to pull the mask off rather than touching the front of the mask. Wash your hands after removing the mask.
Wash and dry your cloth mask daily and store in a clean space.
SOURCE(S): U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Up-to-Date, Mayo Clinic
DOWNLOAD AND DISTRIBUTE
The PDF of this patient education handout is available for easy download and distribution to your patients at www.acofp.org/PEH.
The Osteopathic Family Physician Patient Handout is a public service of the ACOFP. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in many instances; however, they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis by a physician. For specific information concerning your medical condition, ACOFP suggests that you consult your family physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other healthcare professionals to share with their patients.