Introduction
As a virus expert, I’m here to help you understand the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. With the pandemic still raging, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the virus so you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. In this article, I’ll be discussing the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as providing some tips on what to eat and what to avoid if you think you may have been exposed to the virus. By following these tips, you can help reduce your risk of contracting the virus and stay healthy.
I’m a Virus Expert and Here are Signs You’ve Had COVID
As a virus expert, I’m here to tell you that there are certain signs that you may have had COVID-19. It’s important to be aware of these signs so that you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
Fever
One of the most common signs of COVID-19 is a fever. If you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. It’s also important to note that some people with COVID-19 may not have a fever at all.
Cough
Another common sign of COVID-19 is a dry cough. This type of cough is usually persistent and can last for several days. If you have a dry cough, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another common sign of COVID-19. If you are having difficulty breathing, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. It’s also important to note that some people with COVID-19 may not have any difficulty breathing at all.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common sign of COVID-19. If you are feeling unusually tired or exhausted, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. It’s also important to note that some people with COVID-19 may not experience any fatigue at all.
Loss of Taste or Smell
Loss of taste or smell is another common sign of COVID-19. If you are experiencing a sudden loss of taste or smell, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. It’s also important to note that some people with COVID-19 may not experience any loss of taste or smell at all.
Eat This Not That
If you think you may have had COVID-19, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself and those around you. This includes eating a healthy diet and avoiding processed foods. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and help you fight off any virus.
BA.5 is sweeping around the globe causing many cities and counties across the United States to rethink their mask mandates as cases spike. Symptoms can range from barely there you hardly notice to so severe you need medical care, but experts want two things to be clear–BA.5 is the most contagious variant to date and it can evade immunity. And even with a mild case you’re not out of the woods for Long COVID. While signs of the virus can be similar to the common cold, infectious disease specialists tell Eat This, Not That! Health symptoms that indicate you’d have COVID and what to know about BA.5 right now. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Joe Gastaldo, OhioHealth medical director, infectious diseases tells us, “With the current circulating omicron sub-variant (BA.5), in the clinic, we are seeing more patients with COVID that present with symptoms more consistent with upper respiratory tract infections; sore throat, dry cough, and a runny nose. Of course, the more traditional COVID symptoms still exist in people who have COVID. According to the UK’s Zoe’s Health Study the top 5 COVID symptoms currently being reported are runny nose, headache, sneezing, and a persistent cough.” Dr. Syeda Amna Husain, a board-certified pediatrician who has partnered with Abbott, a COVID at home self-test adds, “With COVID-19, you may continue to have symptoms well after the “contagious period.” After vaccination, symptoms may not feel as severe but can still include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, congestion, fatigue, sore throat, and even more intense symptoms such as brain fog and shortness of breath. If suffering from long COVID, then brain fog and shortness of breath may persist for some time. Thankfully, vaccines can also help decrease incidence of long COVID. The easiest way to know if you’ve had COVID-19 is to take a rapid at-home antigen test.” She of course recommends Abbott’s BinaxNOW (considered to be one of the most reliable) but other brands are available, including ON/GO’s COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test or the QuickVue At-Home OTC test.
Dr. Husain explains, “It’s very likely that you may have been infected with the virus at some point without realizing it as about 40% of confirmed COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic according to a meta-analysis from the Journal of the American Medical Association. Because of this, it’s still very important to test if you believe you’ve had exposure. Experts say the best time to test is preferably 3-5 days after exposure, even if you continue to show no symptoms.”
Dr. Gastaldo says, “It would be wrong to think that it’s ‘no big deal’ to get COVID. If a person has an at-risk condition, remains unvaccinated, or is not up to date in receiving CDC recommended boosters, there is an increased risk to have severe disease that would result in hospitalization or even death. In addition, even though COVID may not result in severe disease, having a repeat infection or a post vaccination infection could result in long COVID. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people who contract COVID are at risk for prolonged symptoms, some of which can be debilitating. The CDC estimates that nearly 1 in 13 adults in America after infection have Long COVID symptoms.”
Dr. Husain shares, “COVID-19 is still very present in the community. The BA.5 variant is the most transmissible variant to date, so it is vital we continue to frequently wash hands and mask while in indoor public crowded places. Additionally, it’s important to know that although you may feel like your usual self it is still possible to have COVID-19 (asymptomatic) and many individuals who catch COVID-19 after vaccination have very mild or no symptoms at all. Therefore, it’s important to continue to frequently test yourselves and your loved ones if you’ve been exposed.”
Dr. Husain states, “COVID-19 variants, including BA.5, are able to ‘avoid immunity’ due to mutation. This is a normal part of a virus’ behavior. Individuals should continue vaccinating as the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the severity of disease, MIS-C, and hospitalizations.”
According to Dr. Husain, “Individuals are catching COVID-19 via the same pathways as they have in the past – typically respiratory and airborne. Across the U.S., mask mandates have been lifted in a majority of settings, which allows for easier and increased transmission.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Heather Newgen