Vaccines train a person’s immune system to recognize and fight specific germs that can cause illness. COVID-19 vaccines work with the immune system to help develop defenses against the disease so that the body will be ready to fight coronavirus if exposed to it in the future. If a vaccinated person gets exposed to coronavirus in the future, the antibodies will fight the virus and work to prevent severe COVID-19 illness. Read more: How Do mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Work? Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Coronavirus: How COVID-19 Affects Your Body
By now, everyone knows about COVID-19. But do you know how it can affect your body?
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COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts Quiz
The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to be safe and effective as...
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention Quiz
Why is coronavirus considered dangerous? What are the symptoms you should look for? Take this COVID-19 prevention quiz to learn...
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Coronavirus COVID-19 Prevention: Test Your Medical IQ
What's really the best way to prevent the spread of new coronavirus COVID-19? Should wear a mask or not? Take this quiz to find...
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Articles of Interest
Read about COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease. See interesting articles related to vitamins and supplements to boost immunity,...
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Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic Outbreak: What You Need to Know
A new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) was reported from Wuhan, China in December, 2019. This outbreak of respiratory...
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Travel Health Slideshow: 25 Ways to Stay Well Abroad
Explore travel health tips and vaccines to prevent disease while abroad. Learn to protect yourself against malaria, hepatitis,...
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What Drugs May Fight COVID-19? Drug Trials, Treatments, Vaccines
What drugs could help fight coronavirus COVID-19? Clinical studies are ongoing for antiviral drugs like hydroxychloroquine,...
Related Disease Conditions
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include: ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease. ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure cap: Capsule. CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea. DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis. DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes HA: Headache IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis JT: Joint N/V: Nausea or vomiting. p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os. q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily. RA: Rheumatoid arthritis SOB: Shortness of breath. T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
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What Is the Recommended Pain Reliever for COVID-19?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can all be used for pain relief from COVID-19 body aches if they are taken in the recommended doses.
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Is COVID-19 One of the Causes of Pleurisy?
Pleurisy is a painful lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. Learn what causes it, how it's diagnosed, what you can do to treat it, and if COVID-19 causes it.
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How Do You Know if You Have Bronchitis or COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
What is the difference between bronchitis and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? Learn how to recognize the symptoms of bronchitis and COVID-19 to help you treat either illness. Bronchitis or “chest cold” refers to the inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs. Air passes through the lungs within a network of tubules called bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is often associated with persistent, nagging coughs with mucus. Learn more about when a cold becomes bronchitis.
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV)
Infection with COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV) causes respiratory problems in humans. Transmission of COVID-19 occurs mainly through contact with respiratory sections from an infected person, however, fecal contamination may also spread the virus. Symptoms start off flu-like and progress to coughing, fever, shortness of breath, shaking chills, headache, loss of sense of taste and/or smell, muscle pain, and sore throat. Treatment focuses on supportive care and symptom relief. COVID-19 vaccines are available.
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COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. Cold
When you're feeling sick, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection from the symptoms of the common cold or the flu (influenza). While fever is common with the flu and COVID-19, sneezing is typically only associated with colds. Though sore throats are typical with colds, they are uncommon with COVID-19 infections and the flu.
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How Long Is a COVID-19 Patient Contagious?
People infected with COVID-19 can still be contagious even when they stop feeling sick, so precautionary measures should continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms disappear and until the COVID-19 test result is negative. Ideally, patients should be quarantined at home or an institution for 2 weeks after the symptoms completely disappear.
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Can Diarrhea Be an Initial Symptom of COVID-19?
COVID-19 has become a common illness that affects many people. Learn the signs of COVID-19, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
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How Do You Know if You Have a Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) or COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Learn how the signs and symptoms of a sinus infection are different from those caused by COVID-19.
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COVID-19 vs. Allergies
Though there is some overlap in allergy and COVID-19 signs and symptoms there are also significant differences. Symptoms that they have in common include headache, fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and sore throat. Fever does not occur with allergies but is one of the defining symptoms of COVID-19 infections.
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Can I Have COVID-19 and Fungal Infection at the Same Time?
One of those challenges is that bacterial and fungal infections can occur alongside COVID-19, especially in people whose cases are severe enough to put them in the ICU or who have existing comorbidities like diabetes or HIV.
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Prevention Tips
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that spreads from person to person via infected respiratory droplets. The main symptoms of COVID-19 infection include cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Occasionally, people infected with COVID-19 may experience diarrhea, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, or aches and pains. Avoiding contact with infected people, social distancing, not touching your face, frequent hand washing, cleaning, and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces can help to reduce your risk of contracting the 2019 novel coronavirus.
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How Long Does Immunity Last After You Get Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines?
People's bodies all respond differently to the vaccines so to understand how long immunity lasts, it comes down to your body’s antibody production.
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Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) and COVID-19
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is an extremely rare side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine and has only been seen with the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines.
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Do Recovered COVID-19 Patients Have Antibodies?
While antibodies have been found in people who recover from COVID-19, it’s unclear how long the immune response lasts. It’s important to continue following public health guidelines to protect yourself from reinfection.
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Does COVID-19 Affect My Heart?
As per the American Heart Association, COVID-19 may have a long-term effect on the heart. Having a heart condition doesn't make a person more likely to catch COVID-19, but an individual with heart disease or a serious heart condition is more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 and has a higher risk of death.
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Should You Take the COVID-19 Vaccine if You Are Trying to Get Pregnant?
The COVID-19 vaccine is still being offered to women who are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Current information says that there is no reason not to get vaccinated if you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant.
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Guide for COVID-19 Vaccine for Cancer Patients
The authorities have jointly agreed that patients on active cancer treatment are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and complications. Hence, there is a necessity to prioritize patients with cancer for the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Does Vitamin D Protect Against COVID-19?
COVID-19 or coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It manifests as mild to moderate respiratory illness in most people who may not require any special treatment. Certain high-risk groups, such as older people and people with underlying health conditions (chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases), are more likely to get seriously ill.
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What is Herd Immunity, and How Does It Help to Protect the Population from COVID-19?
Herd immunity means that the entire population is better protected against a particular disease. Herd immunity is possible with COVID-19, but the virus is likely to linger for several more years with breakthrough infections.
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Can COVID-19 Vaccine Affect Fertility?
The COVID-19 vaccine does not affect fertility.
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What Should a Pregnant Woman Do If She Has COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus. If you are pregnant and you think you have COVID-19, get professional medical help as soon as possible to reduce the risk of medical complications.
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Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine If You’re Pregnant?
The answer is 'Yes, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine if you’re pregnant.' But you may want to talk to your doctor before you get the vaccine.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
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- More Batches of Moderna COVID Shots Shipped Amid Reports of Shortages
- First Needle-Free COVID Vaccines Get OK in India, China
- Changes in Menstrual Cycle Can Come After COVID Shot
- Vaccinations Cut U.S. COVID Deaths by 58 Percent
- COVID Vaccine Saves Lives Regardless of Body Weight
- FDA Advisors Back Novavax COVID Shot
- COVID Shots Coming for Kids Under 5 in June: White House
- FDA Limits J&J COVID Vaccine Due to Blood Clots
- Could Obesity Blunt the Response to the COVID Vaccine?
- No Sign That COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy Raises Birth Defect Risk
- Babies, Toddlers Produce Stronger Immune Response to COVID Than Adults
- About 1 in 6 U.S. Couples Disagrees on COVID Vaccination
- One Big Motivator to Get COVID Vaccine: Travel
- New Sanofi-GSK COVID Vaccine Highly Effective, Companies Say
- COVID Vaccine Is a Big Stress-Reliever, Too: Study
- COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy Guards Against Infection in Newborns
- Is the Next Great COVID Vaccine an Inhaled One?
- Mom-to-Be's COVID Vaccine Brings Long-Term Protection to Baby
- CDC Backs Full Approval of Moderna COVID Vaccine
- Beyond Antibodies: Vaccines Teach T-Cells to Fight COVID Long Term
- COVID Vaccine Won't Affect Fertility, But Getting COVID Might
- COVID Vaccine May Change Menstrual Cycle
- Study Finds Delta Somewhat Resistant to Vaccines — What About Omicron?
- Federal Court Backs Stay on COVID Vaccine Mandate
- What Parents Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine For 5- to 11-Year-Olds
- COVID Shots Less Effective for People With Weak Immune Systems
- FDA Panel Supports Moderna Booster Shot
- Pfizer Seeks Emergency Approval for COVID Vaccine in Kids
- U.S. Appeals Panel Backs New York City's Vaccine Mandate
- FDA Approves Pfizer Booster Shots for Seniors, High-Risk Americans
- Lower Dose of Pfizer COVID Vaccine Works Well in Young Children, Company Says
- COVID Death 11x More Likely for Unvaccinated
- White House Issues Tough New Vaccine Mandates
- White House Pushes for More Vaccine Mandates
- COVID-19 Vaccines Boost Antibodies, Even in People With Weak Immune Systems
- COVID Vaccine Protection Against Severe Disease
- 'Dream Vaccine' for All COVID Variants
- COVID Vaccination Required for Most Foreign Visitors to US
- New Data Shows the Power of COVID Vaccines
- Return to Masks Indoors for Vaccinated in Some Areas of US
- Parents Divided on COVID Vaccination for Kids Under 12
- 'Urgent Threat' of COVID Vaccine Misinformation
- COVID Antibodies From Vaccination Are 3 Times Higher Than From Infection
- Vaccine Effectiveness and Third COVID Booster Shot
- Will We Need a COVID Booster Shot?
- 99% of New COVID Deaths Are Unvaccinated
- Low COVID Vaccination Rates for Seniors in 11 States a 'Powder Keg'
- Do mRNA Vaccines Harm Male Fertility?
- Will We Need a Yearly COVID Booster Vaccine?
- The Real-World Power of Pfizer, Moderna COVID Vaccines
- 'Mix & Match' COVID Vaccine Approach in Testing
- With Increase in Vaccine Acceptance, Herd Immunity by Summer
- When Will You Need a COVID Vaccine Booster Shot?
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