COVID-19 is highly contagious and continues to spread around the United States and the globe. Because it is a new disease in humans, our immune systems had not previously developed any defenses against it. The availability of vaccines that protect against COVID-19 has changed that.
There are currently three vaccines available in the U.S. to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Vaccines help protect us by providing immunity without having to get sick. Medical experts around the globe continue actively researching potential vaccinations that may lessen or prevent illness from COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health provides the public with up-to-date information on several vaccines trials that have launched.
Until you are fully vaccinated and boosted (known as up-to-date), the best way to avoid severe illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
The virus is believed to spread primarily from person-to-person contact between people who are in close contact with each other (within about six feet). When an infected person coughs or sneezes respiratory droplets are released from the mouth and nose which may land in the mouth, nose or eyes of people nearby. Individuals who are infected but not showing symptoms may still spread COVID-19 to others.
COVID-19 seems to also spread by airborne transmission. These smaller respiratory droplets are exhaled when people breathe, talk or sing. Breathing in air when close to an infected person can cause COVID-19 illness. This type of transmission is more likely to occur in enclosed, indoor spaces with poor ventilation and when the infected person was breathing heavily, such as singing or exercising. Being in crowded, indoor restaurants, bars, fitness centers or movie theaters put you at higher risk for COVID-19.
While possible, it is less common that COVID-19 will spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
Steps to protect yourself from infection
Mask Types
Masks should completely cover your nose and mouth and should fit snugly against your face without gaps. A nose wire is recommended to prevent air from escaping from the top of the mask.
You can find a free N95 mask using CDC’s Find Free Masks tool.
Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.
Page last updated: May 26, 2022
