Header
hero-mindfullness

 

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions 

10 min read

In this document Boehringer Ingelheim has compiled and summarized some general information about COVID-19 as a service. With respect to linked information from third parties, we have selected the sources carefully for credibility but cannot make any representations and/or warranties with regard to their accuracy or the completeness of the provided and/or selected information. This document/information shall only serve for your background information and cannot replace consultation through a physician. Please make sure that you discuss any questions and/or concerns with regard to your disease with your physician. Please also make sure that you always follow your local rules with regard to behavioral measures.

Expand all

  • COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a new disease caused by the coronavirus family of viruses1

  • The virus can be transmitted person-to-person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are spread when a person with COVID-19 sneezes, coughs, or exhales2,3

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) have provided more information on the origin of coronavirus and how the virus spreads2

  • Watch a video interview with an expert in respiratory disease about the current and future status of the coronavirus pandemic (as of 8 April 2020)4

  • Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, tiredness, and dry cough5

  • Some people may develop severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing that require urgent medical attention5

  • More information on the symptoms of COVID-19, including the emergency warning signs provided by WHO5 and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)6

  • Patients with any chronic health condition or immunocompromising conditions are considered to be at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-197

  • This includes patients with scleroderma, who may be taking immunosuppressive treatments, or have lung disease8

  • For further information related to coronavirus for patients with scleroderma find out more from the Scleroderma Foundation8 and the Federation of European Scleroderma Associations (FESCA)9

  • If you are interested in listening to the advice of scleroderma experts, then watch this webinar from the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) called ‘Scleroderma and COVID-19: a conversation with the experts’10

  • If you have any concerns about your regular medications, contact your local healthcare department for guidance that is specific to your condition and the region in which you live11,12

  • Learn more from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) who provide guidance on numerous topics related to coronavirus11 for patients with rheumatic diseases such as scleroderma. Alternatively, hear their advice in video format13

  • In addition, the European Lung Foundation (ELF) have posed frequently asked questions to a respiratory expert that may be useful for patients with scleroderma and associated interstitial lung disease12

  • To find out whether you should attend your routine appointments, contact your local healthcare department for guidance that is specific to your condition and the region in which you live; some healthcare departments may be conducting routine appointments over the telephone11,12

  • Further information on medical appointments has been provided by EULAR11 and ELF12 (scrolling to the ‘medical appointments’ section), along with numerous other topics relating to coronavirus

  • Follow the guidelines of your national healthcare system as advice may vary depending on your region12

  • Additional advice is available on personal and home hygiene, and social distancing; find out more information from the CDC14 and the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC)15

  • Read about the most effective way to wash your hands.16 Alternatively, you can watch a video17 showing you how

  • Watch the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) talk about how touching your face increases the risk of infection, why people do it and how we can prevent it18

  • Learn more about the differences between social distancing, isolation and quarantine with information from the CDC14 and ECDC19

  • To find out if you should be social distancing or self-isolating, follow the guidelines of your national healthcare system, as advice may vary depending on your region11

  • For patients with scleroderma, FESCA have provided advice on social distancing and self-isolation8

  • Stay up to date with national guidance, or contact your doctor to determine whether you need to wear a face mask12

  • If you are required to wear a face mask, it is important that you are familiar with its correct use and disposal20

  • Find further information and videos from WHO on how to wear a mask20

  • Testing for COVID-19 depends on the stage of the outbreak in the country or area where you live3

  • If you are experiencing symptoms, call your doctor – if they believe that you require a laboratory test for COVID-19 they will inform you of the procedure to follow and advise where and how the test can be performed3

  • If you think you may have been exposed to coronavirus, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact your local health department and follow their guidance21

  • After speaking with your doctor you may be advised that you can manage your symptoms at home; WHO has provided further information if you have been told by a healthcare professional to stay at home22

  • Learn more from the CDC about what to do if you are sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-1921

Related topics

Antibodies Body Exercise Immune system Information Management

 

Share this article

You may also like to read:

Learn more
hero-living-with-lung-problems

Living with lung problems

Learn why it’s important to look after your lungs when you have scleroderma.
Learn more
Learn more
hero-i_have_scleroderma

Monitoring scleroderma

Symptoms of scleroderma may change over time. Learn how regular monitoring can help keep the disease in check.
 
Learn more

  1. ELF. Lung disease and information. Available: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/covid-19/ [Accessed December 2021].

  2. World Health Organisation. Q and A on coronaviruses. Available: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19 [Accessed December 2021].

  3. ECDC. Q and A on COVID-19. Available: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/questions-answers [Accessed December 2021].

  4. ELF. COVID-19 questions with an expert. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLSUtyKgbCY&t=149s [Accessed December 2021].

  5. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Available: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3 [Accessed December 2021].

  6. CDC. COVID-19. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html [Accessed December 2021].

  7. CDC. What can you do if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-What-You-Can-Do-High-Risk.pdf [Accessed December 2021].

  8. Scleroderma Foundation. COVID-19 information and recommendation. Available: https://scleroderma.org/updated-covid-guidance-masks-and-vaccines/ [Accessed December 2021].

  9. FESCA. COVID-19 advice for you. Available: https://fesca-scleroderma.eu/covid-19-advice-for-you/ [Accessed December 2021].

  10. SPIN. Videoforum ‘scleroderma and COVID-19: A conversation with the experts’. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT9RJ3-BqTs [Accessed December 2021].

  11. EULAR. Guidance for patients COVID-19 outbreak. Available: https://www.eular.org/eular_guidance_for_patients_covid19_outbreak.cfm [Accessed December 2021].

  12. ELF. COVID-19 and lung disease Q&A. Available: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/covid-19-and-lung-disease-qa/ [Accessed December 2021].

  13. EULAR. Guidance for patients with RMDs about COVID-19 outbreak (update). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcI8S0qeqVY&t=20s [Accessed December 2021].

  14. CDC. How to protect yourself and others. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html? [Accessed December 2021].

  15. ECDC. How to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Available: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/images/COVID-19-NPC-infographic%5b1%5d.png [Accessed December 2021].

  16. WHO. Infection prevention and control. Available: https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/infection-prevention-control [Accessed December 2021].

  17. CDC. What you need to know about handwashing. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d914EnpU4Fo [Accessed December 2021].

  18. BBC. Coronavirus: Why we touch our faces and how to stop it. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sxI7s8p99o [Accessed December 2021].

  19. CDC. Social distancing. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html [Accessed April 2022].

  20. ECDC. Covid-19 isolation and quarantine. Available: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Leaflet-Covid-19_Isolation-and-quarantine.pdf [Accessed December 2021].

  21. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks. Available: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks [Accessed December 2021].

  22. CDC. When you are sick. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf [Accessed December 2021].

  23. WHO. Home care for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-10. Available: https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/risk-communications/home-care-posters/home-care-ill-people-a4-covid.png [Accessed December 2021].

quote-mandy-4
_icon11-quotemarks-blue

"They discovered I had quite severe fibrosis of my lungs. I was referred to a specialist hospital and things have improved with treatment, which is good." 

– Mandy