COVID-19 & Vaccination Information

Sterling Health Care continues to offer COVID-19 vaccinations at each of its area clinic locations, with no appointment necessary.

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2 and was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It is very contagious and quickly spread around the world.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, a flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease.

• Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.
• Some people including those with minor or no symptoms may suffer from post-COVID conditions — or “long COVID”.
• Older adults and people who have certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have died from COVID-19 in the United States.
• Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe, teaching our immune system to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccinations are also effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. As with other vaccine-preventable diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccinations, including recommended boosters.

Symptoms

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms which might include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status.

For more information and updates about COVID-19, click here to visit the CDC website.