We know there has been a lot of discussion and news regarding the recent spread of the novel coronavirus.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has officially recommended using Telemedicine to prevent the spread of the disease, and we are proud to help.What is the situation?As of Feb 29th (when this was written), there are 85,000 cases of COVID-19 worldwide. It has spread to 6 continents and has disrupted everything from airline travel to stock markets to schools around the world.  There are even worries that the it will cause the Tokyo Olympics this summer to be postponed. There is not yet an approved vaccine for COVID-19.Blueberry Pediatrics has remained in contact with the Florida Department of Health to bring you the most up to date recommendations on the potential spread.  So far, there have been no reported cases in Florida. There have been 53 total reported cases in the United States, including two reported cases in California and potentially five reported cases in Oregon of transmission of the virus without air travel or foreign contacts.  The significance of this is unclear at this time, however it may change guidance in the near future of when to seek medical attention.How do I know if I or a loved one might have coronavirus?The official recommendation put out by the CDC is to seek medical attention if you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within 14 days of symptoms or have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea, AND you develop symptoms such as a fever and/or cough and shortness of breath. To put that more simply- if you just have regular cold symptoms such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, that does not indicate that you might have coronavirus. If you have those symptoms AND you recently travelled to one of the countries above, or you were in contact with someone who was confirmed to have coronavirus, then there is a chance, and you should speak to a medical professional.What can I do to prevent the spread of coronavirus?The best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is to wash your hands frequently, especially after contact with others, eating and using the restroom. Wash, wash wash! It really is the best thing that all of us can do to prevent the spread of the disease.There is no need to rush out and purchase masks for your family. At this time, it is not recommended to wear masks or respirators.  Additionally, medications and supplements such as Vitamins or Tamiflu ® have not been shown to be effective, so no need to stock up on those things.What is it actually called, anyway?The official name for the disease, as put out by the World Health Organization, is "COVID-19", which stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019. It is a new kind of coronavirus, which is a category of virus that is common and typically causes mild issues like the common cold.As always, Blueberry Pediatrics is here for you 24/7, 365 days a year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about the coronavirus.  We will also be updating this posting as we receive new information.