On average it takes 2-5 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days. It is important to contact your doctor as soon as the symptoms start. Early antiviral interventions can decrease your risk of hospitalization or death.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following serious symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty speaking

There are a number of ways to reduce your risk of infection and prevent further spread.

CDC recommendations:

• If you are able, get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
• Follow CDC guidance on face coverings while in public .Mask Guidance | CDC
• Contact a health care provider and stay home if you have symptoms.
• Wash your hands often during the day with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, which is as simple as humming the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. Below is an excellent handwashing video.
• Routinely disinfect surfaces in your home and avoid directly touching surfaces that may contain germs. This includes your cell phone, doorknobs, light switches, TV remote control, and your car’s steering wheel.
• Contaminated hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Always cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or the crook of the arm.
• Always keep hand sanitizer available.
• If you feel sick, stay in your home and avoid close contact with others.
• If you still need to quit smoking, please do so now.

Living with lung diseases does not increase your likelihood of infection from the COVID-19 virus, but does increase the risk of serious illness if infected. It is important to take special precautions to reduce the risk of infection and to follow trusted sources or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here’s how COVID-19 affects people with COPD and Asthma.

Coronavirus And COPD: What You Should Know
Those living with COPD and their caregivers must be well-informed about COVID-19 and variants of the virus. For up-to-date information on COVID variants, Visit CDC’s COVID Data Tracker: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People with COPD are not at a greater risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 than others but are more likely to experience severe complications if they become infected. If you have not
already, please consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself and others.

Transmission Of Virus

• Both influenza and COVID-19 spread in similar ways. Droplets or smaller virus particles from a sick person can transmit the virus to other people nearby. The smallest particles may linger
  in the air, and another person can inhale them and become infected.
• People can touch a surface with viruses and then transfer the germs to themselves by touching their faces.
• People infected with Covid-19 or influenza may not realize they are sick for several days, and during that time can unknowingly spread the disease to others before they even feel sick.

Symptoms
Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure and range from mild to severe illness.

Possible symptoms include but are not limited to:

Important Steps For People Living With COPD As Coronavirus Spreads

1. Establish a COVID-19 hygiene routine for people entering the home (i.e., wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, handwashing, etc.)
2. Avoid contact with sick people.

Everyday Steps Those Living With COPD Can Take To Further Protect Against Coronavirus

1. Wash your hands often during the day with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, which is as simple as humming the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. View our excellent handwashing instruction video. 
2. Routinely disinfect surfaces in your home and avoid directly touching surfaces that may contain germs. This includes your cell phone, doorknobs, light switches, TV remote control, and
   your car’s steering wheel.
3. Contaminated hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
4. Always cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or the crook of the arm.
5. Always keep hand sanitizer available.

Being proactive and adequately managing your asthma can help reduce the impact of Covid-19 on your health. However, COVID-19 can affect your respiratory system and trigger an asthma exacerbation.

Adequately manage your asthma by the following:

• Talking to your healthcare provider about completing or updating your Asthma Action Plan
• Identifying early warning signs and triggers to prevent a severe asthma exacerbation
• Asking your pharmacist to explain how your asthma medications work
  • quick relief medication – should always be with you used for symptom relief
  • controller medication – taken daily as directed
• Practicing the proper way to use your inhaler, some prefer using a spacer with a metered dose inhaler to help deliver the medication into the lungs. Take your asthma medication as prescribed
• Avoiding smoking or vaping or being around people who are smoking or vaping If you have been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider for assistance.

To learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on asthma or to talk with a certified asthma educator, contact Breathe Pennsylvania

As with any lung illness, smoking increases the risk of negative health effects among those infected with COVID-19. People who smoke are more likely to experience serious complications if they become infected. Preliminary research suggests that smokers infected with COVID-19 are nearly 1.5 times more likely to have severe symptoms and 2.5 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU, need mechanical ventilation, or die compared to non-smokers. While research into the effects of smoking on the risk of contracting COVID-19 is limited, experiences with other lung illnesses suggest that smoking will continue to be a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes among those diagnosed with COVID-19.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine, if you are able, is the best way to protect yourself and people around you. To learn more about the vaccine or how you can get one, reach out to your doctor or visit the links below. You can find the free vaccine at many neighborhood locations.

• https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Vaccine.aspx
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information (alleghenycounty.us)

• CDC Guidance on Errands and Going Out
• CDC Information and Guidance
• CDC Guidance on Cloth Face Coverings
• CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
• World Health Organization (WHO) Information and Guidance

Local Resources

• Post-COVID Recovery Clinic | Allegheny Health Network (ahn.org)
• Post COVID-19 Clinic | UPMC – Pittsburgh PA
• How to Better your Indoor Air Quality
• Exercise and Chronic Lung Disease
• Covid-19 and the Flu
• Symptoms chart ( Flu, COVID, Allergies, Cold and RSV)
• Breathe PA YouTube Channel Link