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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness that can spread from person to person. There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a new coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. Find additional information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
People age 65 and older are at higher risk for experiencing severe symptoms if they contract the infection. In addition, people of any age with chronic lung diseases such as asthma, serious heart conditions, or sickle cell disease; and people who are undergoing immunotherapy treatment for cancer, HIV/AIDS, or other conditions are also at high risk for severe symptoms.
To find out how best to protect yourself and others, see the federal government’s website, http://www.coronavirus.gov. There, you will find accurate and comprehensive information from the CDC and other federal agencies about symptoms of the infection and risk factors, and about how to practice social distancing, which is the best way to slow the spread of the virus. You can also find the latest news on cases of COVID-19 in the United States, as well as how individual households, travelers, schools, businesses, healthcare professionals, health departments and others can all do their part to help slow the spread.
The NIH and NHLBI are supporting clinical trials to find safe and effective ways to prevent and treat COVID-19.
These research studies are critical to finding the most promising vaccines and treatments to help end the pandemic.
Visit these health topics for information on conditions related to heart, lung, blood, and sleep that may raise your risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Some topics focus on procedures and devices that may be used to treat COVID-19 and its complications.
In addition, be sure to check these additional COVID-19 information sources from HHS: