Not yet. Currently there is no vaccine or specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, there are vaccines and drugs currently under investigation. The National Institutes of Health has estimated that a large clinical trial for a vaccine may be available in 12-15 months.
We are just starting to understand COVID-19 specifically, but other viruses in the corona family often cause more severe illness in people whose immune systems are low, such as cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Increasing evidence suggests that a lost sense of smell, known medically as anosmia, may be a symptom of COVID-19. This is not surprising, because viral infections are a leading cause of loss of sense of smell, and COVID-19 is a caused by a virus.
Current guidance indicates that there is: No viable virus after four hours on copper surfaces. No viable virus after 24 hours on cardboard surfaces. No viable virus after four days on plastic and stainless steel. The virus is greatly reduced after 72 hours.
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 or that they might be a source of infection in the United States.