About COVID-19
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Many people who are infected have mild symptoms or even no symptoms, but COVID-19 can also cause severe illness and death. Some people, including those who got no symptoms at first, get health problems that last for weeks or months.
Symptoms
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include one or more of the following: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling tired, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose, or new loss of taste or smell. This list of symptoms is not all inclusive. Some people with COVID-19 infection never get symptoms.
How It Spreads
The virus spreads when a person with COVID-19 releases respiratory droplets into the air for example, when speaking, singing, coughing, shouting, or exercising. These droplets are then breathed in by other people or land on their nose, mouth, or eyes. The virus also spreads by touching a surface with droplets on it and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth but this is less common.
There are certain places where COVID-19 spreads more easily:
- Closed spaces with poor airflow
- Crowded places with many people nearby
- Close contact settings especially where people are talking (or breathing heavily) close together
Help Stop the Spread of
Protect Yourself and Others
Get Help
If you have questions and would like to speak to someone, or need help finding medical care, call the Los Angeles County Information line 2-1-1, which is available 24/7.