American College of Emergency Physicians

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Understanding the Risks

The nation’s emergency physicians are on the frontlines of treatment and prevention of COVID-19. You should take appropriate precautions and consider simple steps to minimize your risk of getting or spreading the virus.

Reduce your risk

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All Americans aged 5+ are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Many Americans are also currently eligible for a booster dose of vaccine that can strengthen your protection against severe illness and death.

Help slow to the spread of COVID-19 by following local health official recommendations and taking simple precautions when community spread is at a high level in your area.

Avoid crowded indoor spaces.
Cover your face in public.
Always know when to go to the emergency department.

Symptoms

Call your doctor if you’ve been in contact with someone who already has COVID-19 or has traveled to an affected region and within 14 days you develop the following symptoms:

Fever
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Diarrhea
Muscle/Body Aches
Sore Throat
Nausea/Vomiting
New Loss of Taste and Smell
Congestion/Stuffy Nose

Additional Resources

COVID-19: Know When To Go

A one-pager that outlines what to do if you think you're sick with COVID-19, including information about getting tested, and how to know when to go to the emergency department.

En español

ACEP Advocacy and Clinical Guidance

In addition to advocating for federal policy changes to ensure emergency departments are equipped to handle the pandemic, ACEP is providing up-to-date clinical guidance for emergency physicians via the National Strategic Plan for Emergency Department Management of Outbreaks of COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you do if you think you are sick with COVID-19?

1. Consider your symptoms.

Call your doctor if you’ve been in contact with someone who already has COVID-19 or has traveled to an affected region and within 14 days you develop the following symptoms:

Fever
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Diarrhea
Muscle/Body Aches
Sore Throat
Nausea/Vomiting
New Loss of Taste and Smell
Congestion/Stuffy Nose

If you are experiencing fever that responds to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen and a cough, and you are young and otherwise healthy, treat yourself as you would for a bad cold or flu. If you have shortness of breath that is new for you, call your doctor.

2. If your symptoms are mild, contact your primary care physician to discuss your best options for care. While you do not need to call ahead for the emergency department, it is important to know when to go.

3, Call 911 or visit your closest emergency department if:

You’re experiencing a medical emergency,
You’re sick enough that you need to go to the hospital, especially if you recently started experiencing shortness of breath, or
You’re sick and you are a high-risk individual, such as an older patient or a person with an already weakened immune system.

How is COVID-19 treated?

COVID-19 can be treated like many viral infections; acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever relief, food and fluids, good hygiene, rest and appropriate distance from others.

How dangerous is COVID-19? Who is at risk?

Those at risk include people who have been in contact with a person who already has COVID-19. High-risk individuals include older people, especially those with chronic or pre-existing medical conditions, or those with an already weakened immune system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is regularly updating information here.

How does it spread?

Like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 spreads from person to person via tiny droplets of saliva when you breath, speak, cough, or sneeze.

How can I protect myself and my family from getting or spreading the virus?

Get vaccinated as soon as possible. Until two weeks after your final dose, when you're fully vaccinated, you can stay safe by doing the following:

Maintain six feet of distance from others outside your household.
Stay home as much as possible.
Cover your face in public.
Always know when to go to the emergency department.

Do I need to wear a mask?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone above the age of two should wear a face covering until they're fully vaccinated to minimize the risk of contracting, and spreading COVID-19 while in public settings.

Covering your face protects you and those around you from infectious droplets emitted when someone talks, breathes, coughs, or sneezes. These particles can remain airborne for up to three hours.

Is coronavirus the same thing as COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that infect people and usually only cause mild respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold. However, some strains of the virus have caused more serious diseases including the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The virus often presents with pneumonia-like symptoms: mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

What role do emergency physicians play?

Emergency physicians are on the frontlines caring for those affected by COVID-19. Emergency physicians have protocols in place to protect the public and are working alongside hospitals and other health professionals to stop the spread of this virus, treat infected patients, and report relevant cases to local, state and national health departments.

As the national medical society representing emergency medicine, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the preeminent source for clinical, advocacy and emergency patient guidance. You can visit our COVID-19 overview page for the latest patient information and learn more about how emergency departments are adapting to keep patients safe.