Symptoms of Coronavirus

The new coronavirus has now diseased almost 120,000 people worldwide. A stronger picture of the group of symptoms caused by the virus—the infection is now called COVID-19—is starting to appear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), established diseases of coronavirus have extended from very minor to severe, with some even deadly.

Most of the cases—about 80 per cent—are mild. But the symptoms are also very “non-specific”. That means they could easily be caused by other respiratory illnesses, like a cold or the flu.

The three most common symptoms appear to be fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Here’s more on each of those—plus other, less common symptoms.

Fever

The most common symptom of coronavirus much seems to be a fever. About 77 per cent to 98 per cent of people hospitalized with the virus have a higher temperature. And another analysis reports that the fever is normally 37.7 degrees Celsius or higher, sometimes with chills. One note: A fever can or cannot be the first symptom informed.

Cough

A second common symptom is a cough, affecting between 46 per cent and 82 per cent of patients in the hospital. Although cough is a properly well-known symptom, one differentiating feature of this one is that it’s usually dry. COVID-19 mostly spreads through breathing drops among people who are in near closeness to one another (within about six feet). It is advised by phycisians that people with symptoms should cough (or sneeze) into a tissue or the crook of their arm, not their hands.

Shortness of breath

This is a possibly disturbing symptom which affects between three per cent and 31 per cent of patients in hospitals. A study in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (IJAA) puts the amount at 34.5 per cent, making it the third most common symptom. Shortness of breath can be frightening. It can also worsen. The IJAA article reports that COVID-19 patients in the ICU were more likely to have breathlessness than people who did not finish in the ICU. Respiratory symptoms are one of the main features of COVID-19, with many patients developing pneumonia and some even wanting oxygen rehabilitation or mechanical air circulation. Exhaustion has also been a common symptom, with the World Health Organization (WHO) guessing this affects 38.1 per cent of patients.

Aches and pains

Also called myalgia, muscle aches and pains affected 13.9 per cent of patients investigated by WHO. It’s a common symptom of viral infections like colds and the flu while, flu symptoms usually come on more suddenly. Symptoms in mild cases of coronavirus infection (which is most cases) should diminish on their own. The association advises calling your doctor if symptoms feel worse than a cold.

Headaches

Headaches have been reported in patients with COVID-19 affecting—according to WHO—about the same proportion of people as a painful throat, and both were comparatively unusual. There are, of course, many different types of headaches all with many possible causes, including stress. That said, if you have a headache along with symptoms like a fever, cough, and shortness of breath and have gone just or been in one of the areas of the United States with public spread, call your doctor.

Diarrhea

Not many people with COVID-19 have reported diarrhea (only 3.7 per cent by the WHO’s calculations) but it is important in that it’s one of the few non-respiratory symptoms committed to the present eruption. Coronaviruses in common can cause diarrhea in cows and pigs (infected chickens more often have respiratory disease), says the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Runny Nose

Only four per cent of patients in one sample reported this symptom but its absence may be notable in itself. COVID-19 contributes to be lower respiratory symptoms more than upper respiratory nasal symptoms.

No Symptoms

According to a report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), some cases of COVID-19 have been without symptoms, but most of these people did develop symptoms later. A big fear is whether or not people with coronavirus but without symptoms can still spread the disease. There have been asymptomatic transmissions, although the WHO states that this does not seem to be the main way the infection is spread.

Treatment

There are no specific treatments for COVID-19, although scientists are looking at current drugs to see if they can be beneficial. Some that have been tested up to now include the HIV drugs (ritonavir and ASC09) and the antiviral remedies, originally developed to treat Ebola. Other than that, patients are receiving what’s known as “helpful care,” meaning fluids, pain relievers, anti-fever medications and, if needed, supplemental oxygen and motorized air circulation. For people with mild symptoms who are staying at home, should take rest and plenty of fluids, then calling a healthcare professional if you’re having trouble breathing.

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