Introduction
COVID-19 has been a major health concern for the past year, and it is important to be aware of the early signs of the virus. Knowing the early signs of COVID-19 can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those around you. This article will discuss 11 early signs that you may have caught COVID-19. These signs include fever, dry cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to note that not everyone who has COVID-19 will experience all of these symptoms, and some may experience more severe symptoms than others. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
11 Early Signs You’ve Caught COVID
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that has spread rapidly across the world. It is important to be aware of the early signs of the virus so that you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those around you. Here are 11 early signs that you may have caught COVID-19.
1. Fever
One of the most common early signs of COVID-19 is a fever. A fever is defined as a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If you have a fever, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
2. Cough
A dry cough is another common symptom of COVID-19. It is important to note that a cough can be a sign of other illnesses as well, so it is important to seek medical attention if you experience a cough.
3. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience difficulty breathing, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you are feeling unusually tired or fatigued, it is important to seek medical attention.
5. Muscle Aches
Muscle aches and pains are another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience muscle aches and pains, it is important to seek medical attention.
6. Headache
Headaches are another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience a headache, it is important to seek medical attention.
7. Loss of Taste or Smell
Loss of taste or smell is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience a sudden loss of taste or smell, it is important to seek medical attention.
8. Sore Throat
A sore throat is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience a sore throat, it is important to seek medical attention.
9. Congestion or Runny Nose
Congestion or a runny nose is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience congestion or a runny nose, it is important to seek medical attention.
10. Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea or vomiting is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience nausea or vomiting, it is important to seek medical attention.
11. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you experience diarrhea, it is important to seek medical attention.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away. It is also important to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spread of the virus.
As coronavirus circumstances and hospitalizations rise figuring out COVID-19 signs has by no means been extra vital. In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, there’s a variety of signs reported by those that have been contaminated with the virus. And, whereas the typical incubation interval is round 5-6 days, some folks expertise indicators of the an infection as quickly as two days after publicity.
Listed below are 11 early indicators it’s best to look out for, in accordance with a few of the nation’s prime medical specialists. Learn on to find the warning indicators so you may search assist when crucial, and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Certain Indicators You have Already Had Coronavirus.
In keeping with Amir Masoud, MBBS, a Yale Medication gastroenterologist, one of many earliest signs of COVID-19 is lack of style. Additionally referred to as ageusia, this symptom can seem in as little as two days after publicity. And, in accordance with “lengthy haulers”—a time period used to explain those that do not totally or instantly recuperate from the virus—the symptom can linger for months on finish.
Together with lack of style, Dr. Massoud says that these contaminated with the virus would possibly expertise a lack of scent, additionally referred to as anosmia, early within the an infection. “Because the coronavirus infects the physique, it invades your olfactory organ, which is answerable for your sense of scent, and damages the blood vessels feeding this organ,” explains William W. Li, MD, internationally famend doctor, scientist and creator of the New York Occasions bestseller Eat to Beat Illness: The New Science of How Your Physique Can Heal Itself. In consequence, chances are you’ll not have the ability to scent usually. “In case you have this along side any of the opposite signs, it is best to let your physician know straight away,” he suggests.
Whereas much less frequent than lack of style or scent, gastrointestinal points will be an early signal of coronavirus says Dr. Massoud. One in all them is diarrhea.
The second gastrointestinal symptom that may be an early signal of COVID is nausea, Dr. Massoud reveals.
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In keeping with a research printed in JAMA, one of the vital frequent early signs of the virus was fatigue, reported by over 68 % of these surveyed. Nonetheless, the sensation of being excessively drained is never unbiased of others, factors out Dana Mincer, DO, Amwell Household Doctor and Pressing Care Physician. “Fatigue is normally paired with one thing else — a low grade fever to a excessive grade fever and physique aches,” she explains.
A dry cough—”one that doesn’t produce mucus,” per Dr. Mincer—is one other early signal of the virus. “The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, so it is no shock that almost all of people who find themselves contaminated have a cough,” Dr. Li provides. In keeping with the survey, over 60 % of these surveyed recognized it as a symptom.
Whereas a fever can signify a wide range of illnesses, as it’s a signal the physique is preventing off an an infection, over 55 % of individuals surveyed claimed it was an early symptom of COVID. In keeping with Dr. Mincer, coronavirus fevers can fluctuate in temperature from low-grade—99.5 to 100.3—to excessive. And, like a fatigue, a coronavirus fever is normally paired with different signs. When must you be involved? “Take your temperature and if it is 100.4˚F, it’s best to monitor and if persistent, name your physician to verify in,” Dr Li suggests. Nonetheless, understand that not everybody with COVID-19 develops a fever, and there are various different sicknesses in addition to COVID that trigger fever, particularly throughout flu season.
Feeling ache in your physique might imply you’re sick with COVID. In keeping with the survey, practically 45 % reported muscle or physique aches. Once more, Dr. Mincer factors out that this symptom is never unbiased whether it is associated to a COVID an infection.
Take note of any complications you expertise. In keeping with the survey, practically one-third of coronavirus sufferers report a headache.
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Shortness of breath is likely one of the virus’ defining signs. “About half of my sufferers expertise respiratory signs that vary from gentle to extreme,” explains Mincer. One of these manifestation of the virus typically takes about 5 days publish an infection to come up, which she explains, is when extra severe circumstances will be recognized. “If you will have extreme signs, day 5 is usually once they current,” she maintains. In keeping with a research printed in The Lancet, most hospital admissions happen round day 7 or after.
Round a 3rd of coronavirus sufferers report a sore throat. Nonetheless, Dr. Mincer factors out that some are extra of a secondary symptom, “presumably because of the dry cough irritating their throat.” She additionally explains {that a} coronavirus sore throat is completely different from different infections, together with strep, because the throat will normally seem crimson and infected as an alternative of visible white patches on the tonsils or crimson spots on the roof of the mouth.
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Contact your medical skilled instantly to debate getting examined—and keep at residence alone till you get phrase. As for your self, do every thing you may to forestall getting—and spreading—COVID-19 within the first place: The nation’s prime infectious illness professional Dr. Anthony Fauci strongly recommends to put on your face masks and keep away from crowds, social distance, solely run important errands, wash your arms incessantly, and to get via this pandemic at your healthiest, do not miss these 35 Locations You are Most More likely to Catch COVID.