COVID-19 or Coronavirus effects on Humans

COVID-19 is showing itself to be much more than respiratory disease. It can affect organs beyond the lungs as identified below potentially creating long-term health issues.
� Lungs:
While the virus can camp out in different parts of the body, it prefers to attack the lungs first and foremost. Typically, COVID-19 affects the lungs by causing pneumonia or, in the worst cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. With pneumonia, patients can have trouble breathing as the lungs fill with fluid and become inflamed. This can be severe enough to require oxygen or a ventilator. COVID-19-related pneumonia appears to infect both lungs, which makes it even more dangerous.
� Heart and Cardiovascular:
COVID-19 is considered a respiratory disease, but cardiologists have noted it can also damage the heart. Cardiologists estimate that about a third of their coronavirus patients develop myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that reduces the organ�s ability to pump blood. In addition to arrhythmias, a patient can suffer from chest paint, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Doctors are also noting cases of abnormal clotting, including those in large vessels such as deep vein thrombosis in the legs and lungs, and smaller clots in smaller vessels in multiple organs. A clot can cause strokes, lung blockages, and heart attacks, sometimes resulting in death.
� Kidneys:
Early reports suggest that up to 30% of hospitalized coronavirus patients develop moderate to severe kidney injury. Many of them already suffered from conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that make them more susceptible to kidney disease.
� Digestive tract:
COVID-19 sometimes presents with abdominal pain and diarrhea as well as nausea and vomiting and loss of appetite. In one study, GI issues were not nearly as common as respiratory and heart symptoms, but they appeared to last longer than expected, with 10% reporting they still had diarrhea for the three weeks in which they were followed.
� Brain and neurological system:
Just as COVID-19 damages other organs, scientists have discovered that the virus can also cause neurological problems, from seizures to hallucinations to mental confusion. This could be a result of oxygen starvation or the aftermath of the cytokine storm when the body�s immune system overreacts to the virus.

COVID-19 or Coronavirus Symptoms

COVID-19 related symptoms identified below may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
� Fever or chills
� Cough
� Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
� Fatigue
� Muscle or body aches
� Headache
� New loss of taste or smell
� Sore throat
� Congestion or runny nose
� Nausea or vomiting
� Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
� Trouble breathing
� Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
� New confusion
� Inability to wake or stay awake
� Bluish lips or face

Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date. However, a few children have developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Currently, information about this syndrome is limited and CDC is working with state and local health departments to learn more about MIS-C.
You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things everyone should do to stay healthy.
� Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
� Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
� Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
� Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
� If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
� Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, like tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).

You can find additional information on COVID-19 on the CDC website.

COVID-19 updates for Collin County can be accessed from links below:
� Collin County Healthcare Services - News & Advisories
� Collin County Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) History
� Collin County Updates - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard

Contact your Pediarician if you have Corovirus related questions or see symptoms that needs to be checked out. With testing options available parents can rest assured that the Pediatirician will evaluate all options to diagnose Coronavirus symptoms including telehealth or remote connect option if needed in the interest of your childs health.