(last updated on April 29, 2021)

COVID-19 Facts
 

  • SYMPTOMS:
    The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, tiredness, loss of smell and taste.

    Less common symptoms include aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, diarrhea, red or irritated eyes, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, chills, and a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes.

    Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, blue lips or face, and loss of speech or movement.  If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
     
  • Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
     
  • Most people recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment.
     
  • Even people with no or very mild symptoms of COVID-19 can transmit the virus. Vaccinated people can also transmit the virus.
     
  • The elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill from the virus, but in general, people of all ages can be infected by COVID-19. Vaccinated people can be infected, but it is less likely.
     
  • The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. You can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands.
     
  • At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person.

 

Protect yourself

There are a lot of measures we can take to limit our exposure.

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands before and after every meal.

Please note that wearing rubber gloves in public is not an effective method of protecting yourself from the infection since gloves get contaminated. Regular washing your hands offers more protection than gloves. You should wear gloves when cleaning and caring for someone who is sick.
 

WEAR A MASK TO PROTECT OTHERS

Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin.

Avoid touching the mask and change it frequently. Please note that certain types of masks cannot be cleaned or reused. Make sure to check out the instructions.

Wearing a mask is especially important in areas where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

 

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, STAY HOME

If possible, work from home. Avoid crowds, closed places, gatherings, public transportation, taxis, and car-sharing. Do not invite guests over.

Refrain from using non-essential services outside. Consider using delivery services.

 

AVOID PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH OTHERS

Avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses and keep an at least 1.5-meter distance between yourself and others.
 

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE

Viruses that affect the respiratory system enter the body through mucosal membranes which are found in the nose, oral cavity, and lips. With poor hand hygiene, it's easy to acquire a viral infection this way.
 

IF YOU GO SHOPPING, KEEP DISTANCE FROM OTHERS

If possible, sanitize the handles of shopping carts or baskets before touching. Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased products.

Avoid using cash, pay with card.
 

COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE WHEN SNEEZING AND COUGHING

Use a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands immediately.
 

CLEAN AND DISINFECT FREQUENTLY TOUCHED OBJECTS AND SURFACES

Etc: phones, tablets, keyboards, remotes, keys, tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs and cabinet handles.
 

KEEP TWO WEEKS WORTH OF SUPPLIES, BUT DO NOT HOARD

Do not buy more food and medicine than you need. Be mindful of others. Support local businesses: order from local restaurants, use local services, buy from local stores.
 

IF YOU FEEL SICK, STAY HOME AND CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR ADVICE
 

BE INFORMED

Seek credible information sources. It is challenging to avoid misinformation, but stay alert and share information responsibly.
 

If you need more information, please visit koronavirus.gov.hu or call the Hungarian government's toll-free coronavirus hotline (+36 80 277 455, +36 80 277 456)
 

Vaccine

Getting vaccinated is one of many steps you can take to protect yourself and others, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Hungarian citizens are able to register for free vaccination at vakcinainfo.gov.hu

It is recommended to get vaccinated even if you have already recovered from COVID-19. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection.

Please note that it is not known how long COVID-19 vaccines can protect people and how well COVID-19 vaccines keep people from spreading the disease.

If you are vaccinated, you should still protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, washing your hands, avoiding crowds and practicing social distancing in public or among unvaccinated people.

Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson/Jannssen vaccines do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19 so these COVID-19 vaccines cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

After getting vaccinated, you may experience side effects, which are normal signs that the body is building protection. The most common side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where you received the shot, headache, fever, chills, diarrhea and tiredness. In extremely rare cases, people have experienced an allergic reaction after vaccination that is why you are encouraged to stay around 15-30 minutes at your vaccination center for observation.

 

Myths busted

  • Drinking disinfectant or spraying it on your body WILL NOT protect against COVID-19. Do NOT under any circumstances consume or introduce disinfectant into your body.
     
  • Drinking bleach, methanol or ethanol DOES NOT prevent or cure COVID-19. In fact, they can cause serious damage to your internal organs.
     
  • People of all ages can be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Older people and those with pre-existing conditions are more vulnerable but young, healthy, and fit people can become severely ill too.
     
  • Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from COVID-19.
     
  • Some masks cannot be reused, cleaned or sterilized. Read the instructions on your mask carefully. Replace your mask immediately if it becomes damp.
    Do not touch your mask without washing your hands first or else the mask becomes contaminated.
     
  • Antibiotics are not effective against COVID-19. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
     
  • Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot cure COVID-19, athough they are essential for a well-functioning immune system.
     
  • Drinking alcohol does not protect from COVID-19.
     
  • Hot temperatures, warm weather does not stop the spread of the virus. Cold weather cannot kill the virus either. Coronavirus can be transmitted in all areas regardless of weather conditions.
     
  • Several dogs and cats in contact with infected humans have tested positive for COVID-19.
     
  • Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. However, you should avoid touching animals as their fur or skin can be contaminated.
     
  • Water or swimming does not transmit the COVID-19 virus.
     
  • Flies, mosquito bites do not transmit COVID-19.
     
  • 5G networks do not spread COVID-19.

Source: WHO

 

What to do if you are experiencing symptoms or think you are sick?

  • Stay home and call your doctor who will ask you a series of questions.

    IF YOU HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS: If you do not belong in a high-risk group and do not require hospital care, you will be required to quarantine at home. Your doctor will alert the ambulance service to request testing. The doctor will notify you of the outcome of the test. Please do not eat, drink, smoke or wash your teeth five hours prior to the scheduled test.

    IF YOU HAVE SEVERE SYMPTOMS: If you experience severe symptoms and require hospital care, an ambulance will transport you to a hospital or a designated institution where you will be isolated, tested and treated.

     
  • Monitor your symptoms
     
  • Clean your hands often, avoid touching your face
     
  • Wear a mask if you live with others.
     
  • Isolate yourself from others. Try to stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom.
     
  • Avoid sharing personal household items: dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding
     
  • Disinfect frequently used items often
     
  • Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.


If you need more information, please visit koronavirus.gov.hu or call the Hungarian government's toll-free coronavirus hotline (+36 80 277 455, +36 80 277 456)
 

Coping with stress during the pandemic

  • It is normal to feel stress, anger, anxiety, and sadness during the crisis.
     
  • Keep regular contact with friends and family via video chat, phone calls, and email. Discuss your experiences and support each other.
     
  • Maintain a healthy diet.
     
  • Exercise at home: physical activity improves your health, fosters development, can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases, and makes you feel and function better.
     
  • Get enough quality sleep: Adults are advised to sleep 7 to 9 hours. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Avoid large meals, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime. Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, tablets, and phones from the bedroom.
     
  • Take time to relax during the day: Leave your workstation for short breaks. Stand up, move around, stretch. Get fresh air if possible.
     
  • Make sure to unwind after the day: Set work and tools aside.
     
  • Make time for doing things you enjoy.
     
  • Do something creative to boost your morale: draw, paint or do DIY projects
     
  • Manage your screen time. Monitor your time watching, reading, or listening to the news, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly and constantly can be upsetting.