NORFOLK, Va. - Coronavirus concerns! It seems like every day we are hearing how the virus is continuing to spread around the world and here in the United States.
We are also hearing of more suspected or confirmed cases and about more deaths attributed to the coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu kills tens of thousands of people in the United States each year.
That is why Dr. Edward Oldfield, an infectious disease specialist at Eastern Virginia Medical School, said there really is greater cause for concern over the flu.
Not overreacting and being proactive are the best strategies in battling the coronavirus, Dr. Edward Oldfield said. These steps are similar to ones recommended to avoid coming down with the flu.
While we are hearing the word coronavirus every day, on the news and perhaps having frequent conversations with friends and family about it you may also read about it being referred to as COVID-19. That name is in reference to the first cases of this type of coronavirus starting in 2019, but there are many types that fall under the coronavirus name. All have one thing in common though, according to Dr. Oldfield. They all started in animals, bats to be exact and jumped to other animals and then humans.
What exactly are the symptoms to be on the lookout for and when should people get tested? Dr. Oldfield said we might be familiar with the symptoms which include fever, dry cough, muscle aches and some who become sicker have infections. It’s very difficult to tell coronavirus symptoms from the flu.
Dr. Oldfield and other health experts say the vast majority of people who do get the coronavirus will not get seriously ill. If you are under 60 years old coronavirus tends to be mild. People who have heart or lung disease and are elderly are at higher risk for serious complications.
