Germ Profile: Seasonal Coronavirus

In the United States, coronavirus infections are most common in the fall and winter. However, you can get infected at any time, as coronaviruses circulate year-round.

Coronaviruses usually cause “common cold” symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache, cough, mild fever, and body aches. Infection can sometimes lead to an ear infection or trigger an asthma flare-up in person with asthma. More serious lung problems such as pneumonia are less common and happen most often in the elderly and in people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of coronvirus infection are those of the typical cold, including sore throat followed by nasal symptoms (runny and congested nose) and sneezing and then cough.

Scientists don’t know much about how coronaviruses (other than SARS) are spread. Most likely, they are spread person to person through coughs, sneezes, laughs – anything that produces a spray that can be inhaled by someone else. Close personal contact (e.g., a handshake or a kiss) is another likely way to spread coronavirus infection.

Providers usually diagnose coronavirus by taking a medical history and doing a physical exam. The provider may also choose to verify the diagnosis by testing a sample of mucus from the mouth or nose, or by ordering a blood test.

Practice prevention and stop the spread:

• Cover your sneezes and coughs.
• Wash your hands often and well, and have children do the same.
• Use a tissue once, then throw it away and wash your hands.

Call your child's doctor if you notice:

• Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing in or out).
• Fast breathing (more than 40 times a minute) or very difficult breathing (retractions, or using the stomach muscles when breathing).
• Fever that lasts longer than 3 days —or fever higher than 100.2°F in an infant 3 months or younger.
• Fussiness, poor eating, sleepiness or low energy in a baby.
• Signs of an ear infection – complaining about ear pain, tugging or rubbing the ear, etc.
• Any severe symptoms or symptoms that last longer than 7 days.