Introduction
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the world, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the virus. In this article, a doctor provides 11 ways to tell if you have COVID-19. Knowing the signs and symptoms of the virus can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those around you.
11 Ways to Tell You Have COVID Now, According to a Doctor
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that has been spreading rapidly around the world. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of the virus so that you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those around you. Here are 11 ways to tell if you have COVID-19, according to a doctor.
1. Fever
One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is a fever. A fever is when your body temperature is higher than normal. If you have a fever, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
2. Cough
Another common symptom of COVID-19 is a cough. A cough can be dry or wet and can be accompanied by a sore throat. If you have a cough, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
3. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another symptom of COVID-19. If you are having difficulty breathing, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue is another symptom of COVID-19. If you are feeling unusually tired or exhausted, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
5. Muscle or Body Aches
Muscle or body aches are another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing any type of muscle or body aches, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
6. Headache
Headaches are another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing a headache, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
7. Loss of Taste or Smell
Loss of taste or smell is another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing a loss of taste or smell, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
8. Congestion or Runny Nose
Congestion or a runny nose is another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing congestion or a runny nose, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
9. Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea or vomiting is another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
10. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing diarrhea, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
11. Chills
Chills are another symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing chills, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away. It is also important to practice social distancing and wear a face mask when in public to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Because the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen, with hospitalizations and deaths peaking throughout the nation and well being consultants predicting yet one more surge because of the holidays, figuring out an an infection within the early phases is extra essential than ever. Why? The earlier you notice you’re carrying the extremely infectious virus, the earlier you’ll be able to quarantine your self and forestall spreading it to others, and likewise begin caring for your self. With so many signs related to the virus, determining if yours match the invoice will be tough, explains Dr. Abe Malkin, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Concierge MD LA, a home-based concierge medical observe. “Whereas the signs and severity of signs differ extensively relying on the person and components like their age, well being and pre-existing circumstances, there are some signs which can be typical to most infections,” he tells Eat This, Not That! Well being. Learn on—and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Positive Indicators You’ve got Already Had Coronavirus.
“One of the vital widespread and early indicators is feeling fatigued,” says Dr. Malkin. “Should you abruptly have a lack of power you could’t attribute to different circumstances and it’s accompanied by a mixture of different signs, it is a signal of concern.”
COVID-19 impacts the nervous system, explains Dr. Malkin, resulting in neurological signs, “primarily extreme complications.” A few of these signs might final after the virus leaves you. A quantity “of people that get well from COVID-19 have reported that they’re experiencing neurological considerations reminiscent of headache, dizziness, lingering lack of style or scent, muscle weak spot, nerve harm, and bother considering or concentrating,” writes Dr. Paul Wright, Senior Vice President and System Chair of Neurosciences, Nuvance Well being. Others expertise hallucinations.
One of many first indicators of the virus reported by sufferers is a fever—and never at all times a brilliant excessive one. He explains that even a low grade fever—a temperature beneath 100.4 levels Fahrenheit—can signify an an infection.
One COVID-specific symptom is shortness of breath. In extreme instances, people might battle to breathe. Should you can’t get sufficient air to operate, search emergency assist, advises the CDC.
Chest ache is one other signal you would be battling COVID-19, says Dr. Malkin. The virus infects your lungs and may harm your coronary heart.
A cough—sometimes extra dry than mucusy— is one other widespread COVID-19 symptom per Dr. Malkin.
“One of the vital tell-tale indicators is lack of style or scent which hardly ever happens with different sicknesses,” says Dr. Malkin. “Research counsel it higher predicts the illness than different well-known signs reminiscent of fever and cough,” says Harvard Well being.
Feeling physique aches and pains is a standard signal of COVID in addition to different viral infections. These pains is likely to be in your joints. “Should you’re experiencing joint ache, it might be attributable to irritation in your physique. Irritation assaults joint tissues, inflicting fluid in your joints, swelling, muscle harm, and extra,” in line with Penn Medication. “There are a couple of methods to handle irritation in your joints from house. Simply keep in mind the helpful acronym, R.I.C.E.: relaxation, ice, compression, and elevation.”
Some COVID-19 sufferers expertise gastrointestinal points, reminiscent of diarrhea, vomiting or nausea.
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Should you solely have one among these signs, it could possibly be something. However in case you are experiencing multiple, there’s a larger probability it’s COVID. “Whereas many of those are additionally signs of the widespread chilly, flu and different sicknesses, they’re a standard mixture amongst COVID sufferers,” he explains.
There is just one option to know for certain if in case you have or had COVID-19. “One of the simplest ways to make certain if you happen to’ve had COVID is to be examined for a present an infection or antibodies,” states Dr. Malkin.
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As for your self, comply with Dr. Anthony Fauci‘s fundamentals and assist finish this surge, irrespective of the place you reside—put on a face masks, social distance, keep away from massive crowds, do not go indoors with individuals you are not sheltering with (particularly in bars), observe good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it turns into obtainable to you, and to guard your life and the lives of others, do not go to any of those 35 Locations You are Most More likely to Catch COVID.