| Español |
COVID-19 Information for Patients & Visitors
Experience safe care during COVID-19
Don't delay your non-COVID care
UCSF COVID-19 news
Responses to frequently asked questions
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Updated April 22, 2020
The symptoms of COVID-19 infections can range from very mild to severe respiratory illness and may include fever, cough and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be very similar to those for influenza, so it may be difficult to distinguish without clinical testing. Patients with this virus have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms that can include:
- Fever, cough, shortness of breath (most common)
- Headache, unexplained muscle aches, changes in taste and smell, sore throat, eye conjunctivitis, confusion, fatigue, stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) (less common)
The CDC recommends seeking immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following emergency signs:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to awaken or stay awake
- Bluish colored lips or face
Symptoms of the coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or up to 14 days after exposure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Use our online symptom checker in MyChart or the CDC's coronavirus self-checker to get a better idea of what your next steps should be if you are feeling ill.
Are children more susceptible to COVID-19?
No, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible. Although infections in children have been reported, including very young children, most confirmed cases ofCOVID-19 have occurred in adults.
For more information, please visit our FAQ on Coronavirus and Pediatric Patients.
If a person is infected with COVID-19 and they recover, are they immune?
It is not known if infection with COVID-19 results in long-lasting immunity. This is still under active investigation.
- What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?
Updated April 22, 2020
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider or our patient hotline at 415-514-7328. Please use the UCSF MyChart "Coronavirus & Flu Symptom Checker" before you call the hotline. If you are a patient of the UCSF Cancer Center, please contact that clinic for specific instructions prior to calling the UCSF coronavirus line.
If you are a UCSF Health patient and have symptoms of COVID-19, we are committed to helping you get tested within 48 hours.
In the meantime, if you feel sick, take the following precautions:
- Avoid public areas, and stay away from others in your home. If you can use a separate bedroom and bathroom, do so.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth if you have cough and are around other people in your home or in public. Please do not wear a mask with a valve, as these masks allow droplet release and do not protect others who may be nearby.
- Wash your hands after touching your face, before eating, after using the bathroom. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with >60% alcohol.
- Avoid sharing personal household items.
- Clean all high touch services every day such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, phones, keyboards. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe according to label instructions.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you feel your symptoms are worsening, contact your health care provider.
Watch a video that explains more.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you have or are being evaluated for COVID-19.
Should I go to the emergency room if I am sick?
If you are sick, please contact your physician or call our patient hotline at 415-514-7328 so that we can best triage your situation.
- What is the 2019 novel coronavirus, why is it called COVID-19?
Coronavirus refers to a family of viruses that cause a spectrum of diseases ranging from the common cold to severe life-threatening pneumonia. They're named for the spike proteins on the surface of the virus that make the virus look like a crown or star.
The 2019 novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. The virus has been named SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
- How does the virus spread?
Updated April 14, 2020
The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from person to person. Someone who has COVID-19 can spread the illness to others, even if they don’t show any symptoms. The principle mode of transmission is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets that travel up to six feet in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is similar to how influenza and other viruses spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
There is also some evidence that virus particles can remain on contaminated surfaces for several days, but the CDC does not believe that this is the main way that the virus spreads.
- Is the coronavirus airborne?
There is limited research about how long the virus stays in the air. The virus is mostly transmitted when people are in close contact with one another, spread by droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
- Can I get COVID-19 by touching surfaces?
Research suggests that COVID-19 lives for up to 72 hours on hard, shiny surfaces and up to 24 hours on cardboard, paper and fabric. It is not known if the virus present on surfaces remains infectious, surfaces suspected of contamination should be disinfected.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This is why hand-washing is always a good practice.
- Are children more susceptible to COVID-19?
No, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible. Although infections in children have been reported, including very young children, most confirmed cases ofCOVID-19 have occurred in adults.
For more information, please visit our FAQ on Coronavirus and Pediatric Patients.
- If a person is infected with COVID-19 and they recover, are they immune?
It is not known if infection with COVID-19 results in long-lasting immunity. This is still under active investigation.