With news sources everywhere reporting on the novel coronavirus and the effects it has had on daily life in countries with widespread outbreaks such as China, it is difficult not to feel some level of anxiety about the virus. Take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Stay up-to-date by monitoring the CDC. or contacting your doctor or local public health department. Up-to-date coronavirus disease 2019 information for travelers is located at the CDC If you are not sure about your risk of contracting the virus, talk to a healthcare provider about any recent exposures or travel history.

If you've had contact with someone with coronavirus, it is important to seek medical evaluation. Your specific risk will depend on the type of contact you have with the individual. A virtual video visit with a doctor can help you to determine your risk and what your next steps are. A "close contact" means being in a confined space with an individual who has the disease, such as in a home, hospital room or classroom. Be sure to take precautions until you seek medical advice to ensure you do not expose others to the illness.

Symptoms of the coronavirus and the flu virus can overlap, so it’s important to understand the facts to seek the right treatment. Both viruses cause fever, cough, body aches, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Severe cases of both viruses can lead to pneumonia and can even cause death. The key differences to look out for are known exposure to someone who has been diagnosed with either influenza or COVID-19. In addition, your travel history during the 14 days before your symptoms began is important in differentiating whether your symptoms are likely to be due to the flu versus COVID-19.

Both viruses are spread in similar ways through human-to-human respiratory droplets in the air from an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking. Although the viruses have similar symptoms, they are caused by different viruses which means that the antiviral treatment available for the flu does not work for COVID-19. To protect against the spread of the flu, a vaccine is available and effective to prevent and reduce the severity of the flu. For COVID-19, no vaccine is available at this time, but this is something that scientists are working on.

• Stay at home: You might consider leaving home in order to seek medical care if your symptoms are severe, otherwise it is important to remain at home. A virtual video visit with a doctor can help you determine if your symptoms warrant an in-person visit or if you can treat yourself at home.
• Isolate yourself: Staying in a room away from other people in your home is an important way to decrease the risk of your family or friends getting exposed to the virus. Use a bathroom that is separate from everyone else in the home if one is available.
• Wear a face mask: If you have symptoms suspicious of COVID-19, wear a facemask to prevent spread of the illness both at home and if you go to a medical facility for care.
• Follow the same precautions as with any other virus: This includes washing your hands frequently, disinfecting hard surfaces (for example, table tops, door knobs and keyboards), covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding sharing cups or utensils while sick.