U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
COVID-19 Basics
Get trustworthy and factual information about COVID-19. Learn what you can do to prevent the spread, and protect yourself and your community.
What is COVID-19?
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 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 been seen before in humans. Get more information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
How to protect yourself and others from COVID-19
How to protect yourself and others from COVID-19
COVID-19 can spread easily from person to person. Current federal guidelines recommend:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact
- Cover your nose and mouth with a mask when around others
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it's available to you.
Join the Fight against COVID-19
For information to help you make decisions about your health and what you can do to join the fight against COVID-19, visit combatcovid.hhs.gov.
Resources
COVID-19 Basics: Resources You Can Share
This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
- PublisherNIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL)
- LanguageEnglish
- File TypePDF
- File Size204KB
This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
- PublisherNIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL)
- LanguageEnglish
- File TypePDF
- File Size184KB
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus most commonly affects the lungs but it can also lead to serious heart problems. COVID-19 can damage the lungs, preventing enough oxygen from reaching the heart muscle.
- PublisherNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- LanguageEnglish
- Length02:11
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus – and your immune system’s reaction to it, inflammation – can damage your lungs, causing them to scar and stiffen or fill with fluid.
- PublisherNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- LanguageEnglish
- Length02:19
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Some people with COVID-19 develop abnormal blood clots, including lots of tiny clots in the smallest blood vessels.
- PublisherNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- LanguageEnglish
- Length02:00
Learn more about COVID-19 from NHLBI, including videos and additional resources.
- PublisherNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- LanguageEnglish
Blog post by NIH leaders about the importance of participation in COVID-19 testing.
- PublisherNational Institutes of Health (NIH)
- LanguageEnglish
All CAIH materials about how to stop the spread of COVID-19 are available for tribes in this online resource library.
- PublisherCenter for American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins University (CAIH)
- LanguageEnglish
A fact sheet about contact tracing and how it can stop the spread of COVID-19
- PublisherCenter for American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins University (CAIH)
- LanguageEnglish
- File TypePDF
- File Size100KB
A fact sheet about using face masks, including instructions on how to make your own non-sewn cloth mask
- PublisherCenter for American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins University (CAIH)
- LanguageEnglish
- File TypePDF
- File Size460KB
Esta hoja informativa contiene consejos para los profesionales de la salud que buscan combatir la información errónea sobre COVID-19.
- EditorNIH CEAL Communication Work Group
- IdiomaEspañol
- Tipo de archivoPDF
- Tamaño del archivo906KB
Información para entender las vacunas contra el COVID-19.
- EditorNIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL)
- IdiomaEspañol
- Tipo de archivoPDF
- Tamaño del archivo138KB
Información para entender las vacunas contra el COVID-19 ARNm.
- EditorNIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL)
- IdiomaEspañol
- Tipo de archivoPDF
- Tamaño del archivo146KB
Social Media Messages
Share these social media resources to encourage the spread of accurate information about COVID-19. Copy and paste into your feed.
Social Media Images
To download an image and save the file to your computer, click on the link for the social media platform you'd like to use.
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