Introduction
If you’ve been feeling under the weather lately, you may be wondering if you’ve already had COVID-19. While it’s impossible to know for sure without a test, there are some signs that may indicate you’ve already had the virus. In this article, we’ll discuss 8 signs that you may have already had COVID-19, according to a long-hauler. A long-hauler is someone who has experienced long-term symptoms of COVID-19, even after testing negative for the virus. By understanding these signs, you can better prepare yourself for the possibility of having already had the virus.
8 Signs You Already Had COVID, According to a Long-Hauler
If you’ve been feeling under the weather for weeks or months, you may be wondering if you’ve already had COVID-19. While it’s impossible to know for sure without a test, here are eight signs that you may have already had the virus, according to a long-hauler.
1. Persistent Cough
One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is a persistent cough. If you’ve been coughing for weeks or months, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
2. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired for an extended period of time, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
3. Loss of Taste or Smell
Loss of taste or smell is another symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve noticed that food doesn’t taste the same or that you can’t smell certain things, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
4. Muscle Aches
Muscle aches are another symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve been experiencing unexplained muscle aches for weeks or months, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
5. Headaches
Headaches are another symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve been experiencing frequent headaches for weeks or months, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
6. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve been feeling short of breath for weeks or months, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
7. Chest Pain
Chest pain is another symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve been experiencing chest pain for weeks or months, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
8. Brain Fog
Brain fog is another symptom of COVID-19. If you’ve been feeling unusually forgetful or confused for weeks or months, it’s possible that you’ve already had the virus.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, it’s possible that you’ve already had COVID-19. However, it’s impossible to know for sure without a test. If you’re concerned, it’s best to speak to your doctor.
Calling it “a cautionary story,” on Tuesday, CNN’s Alisyn Camerota spoke with Abby Gresko Barclay, a COVID-19 sufferer who has been coping with numerous coronavirus signs for 9 months. She is what’s generally known as a “long-hauler,” somebody whose physique has technically cleared the virus however continues to expertise bodily results. When Barclay first started to expertise signs final March, she had a tough time getting examined for COVID-19 as a result of she did not have a fever. (Now, medical doctors know that COVID is usually, however not all the time, accompanied by fever). Since then, “It has been all over,” she stated. “It is impacted my complete physique.” Here is what Barclay stated her preliminary signs have been, a few of which she continues to expertise at the moment. Learn on, and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Certain Indicators You have Already Had Coronavirus.
Barclay stated she skilled extreme abdomen cramping and diarrhea. Early within the pandemic, medical doctors did not essentially affiliate this with COVID. Now they know that COVID fairly often causes gastrointestinal signs—in some sufferers, it is the one coronavirus symptom they’ve. A overview of research printed in November discovered that one in 5 COVID sufferers report GI problems with some form.
Swollen lymph nodes are a standard signal of an infection, and since COVID-19 entails the respiratory system, it might trigger swollen nodes in your neck.
This is without doubt one of the hallmark signs of COVID-19, in accordance with the CDC. A European research of 1,420 coronavirus sufferers discovered that 53% of them reported having a sore throat.
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Shortness of breath is a standard symptom of COVID-19, and it might probably linger for weeks after you have recovered from the sickness. Take observe: Critical bother respiratory might be an indication of ARDS (acute respiratory misery syndrome), which might be deadly. It requires instant medical consideration. Harvard Medical College advises that if you end up respiratory tougher or having bother getting air every time you exert your self, name your physician.
Chest ache, which might be frighteningly paying homage to a coronary heart assault, has been reported by many long-haulers. It might be brought on by costochondritis, an irritation of the cartilage that connects ribs to the breastbone—or it might be a coronary heart difficulty. “Generally individuals get irritation of the center tissue itself and a few chest pains. We have even had some individuals current with what they thought was a coronary heart assault, and actually, it was irritation the center tissue that was brought on by the virus itself,” says Dr. Stacey Rizza, a Mayo Clinic infectious illness specialist and researcher.
Muscle mass can grow to be infected throughout any sickness. COVID-19 causes irritation all through the physique, and muscle ache has been continuously reported. About two-thirds of sufferers within the Lengthy Hauler Symptom Survey reported long-term muscle ache or soreness.
Based on the CDC, chills are a standard COVID signifier. They’re brought on by the physique making an attempt to manage its inner temperature and will observe or accompany a fever. Based on the USC College of Drugs, chills and not using a fever can point out your physique is making an attempt to combat off an an infection.
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Barclay as soon as walked seven to 10 miles a day; now she’s too drained to stroll a mile. Fatigue—starting from delicate to extreme—is a standard symptom of COVID. Based on the Lengthy Hauler Symptom Survey, 100% of COVID sufferers reported lingering fatigue.
In case you expertise any of the signs talked about right here, contact your medical skilled. And do all the things you possibly can to forestall getting—and spreading—COVID-19 within the first place: Put on a face masks, get examined in the event you suppose you’ve gotten coronavirus, keep away from crowds (and bars, and home events), apply social distancing, solely run important errands, wash your fingers commonly, disinfect continuously touched surfaces, and to get by means of this pandemic at your healthiest, do not miss these 35 Locations You are Most Prone to Catch COVID.