Introduction
COVID-19 has been a major health concern for the past year, and many people are wondering if they have already had it. While it is impossible to know for sure without a test, there are some signs and symptoms that may indicate that you have already had the virus. In this article, we will discuss some of the common signs that you may have already had COVID-19, as well as some tips on how to stay healthy and safe. We will also provide some advice on what to eat and what to avoid if you think you may have had the virus.
Signs You’ve Already Had COVID-19
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been a major health concern for the past year. While the virus has been known to cause severe symptoms in some people, many people who have had the virus may not have had any symptoms at all. Here are some signs that you may have already had COVID-19.
Fever
One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is a fever. If you have had a fever in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had the virus. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience a fever, so it is not a definitive sign.
Cough
Another common symptom of COVID-19 is a cough. If you have had a persistent cough in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had the virus. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience a cough, so it is not a definitive sign.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you have been feeling short of breath in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had the virus. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience shortness of breath, so it is not a definitive sign.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you have been feeling unusually tired in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had the virus. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience fatigue, so it is not a definitive sign.
Loss of Taste or Smell
Loss of taste or smell is another common symptom of COVID-19. If you have noticed a decrease in your sense of taste or smell in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had the virus. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience a loss of taste or smell, so it is not a definitive sign.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches are another common symptom of COVID-19. If you have been experiencing muscle aches in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had the virus. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience muscle aches, so it is not a definitive sign.
Conclusion
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms in the past few weeks, it could be a sign that you have had COVID-19. It is important to note that not everyone with COVID-19 will experience the same symptoms, so it is not a definitive sign. If you are concerned that you may have had the virus, it is important to contact your doctor for further advice.
Although COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic in March 2020, it’s entirely possible you may have got the virus before that, and recovered without even realizing it. “Long-term COVID—or post-acute COVID—affects a multitude of organ systems,” says Devang Sanghavi, MD. “Starting from head to toe, it leaves behind multiple symptoms in a large proportion of patients who have recovered from COVID-19.” Here are five signs you’ve probably already been infected with COVID-19, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Did you have a cold that seemed worse than usual? The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of cold or flu, so you may have had the virus without knowing it. “There is significant overlap between symptoms of influenza and COVID,” says Laraine Washer, MD, medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology at Michigan Medicine. “Both can present with fevers, chills, cough, muscle/body aches, fatigue and headache.”
Unexplained neurological issues could be a sign of COVID-19, doctors say. “At the population level, studies have found a higher incidence of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders among individuals infected with COVID-19 than among healthy control [individuals] or those with other respiratory tract infections,” says Jonathan Rogers, Ph.D. “At an individual level, it can be quite difficult. With rare but serious manifestations such as stroke, there can be a clear temporal link to COVID-19, but other neurologic or neuropsychiatric syndromes such as headache or depression are very common in the population, so it is hard to know when to attribute them to COVID.”
“From a lung perspective, patients have persistence of shortness of breath, or dyspnea, and require ongoing oxygen treatment even after discharge and for weeks to months because of permanent damage to the lungs,” says Dr. Sanghavi. “As far as the cardiac system is concerned, there’s chest pain and shortness of breath.”
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There is evidence that COVID-19 can cause ongoing sleep issues for some, even months after they have recovered from the virus. “Once sleep is disrupted, it can impact mental and physical health, which may in turn cause further sleep disruption,” says Athena Akrami, Ph.D, neuroscientist at University College London. “A vicious cycle may form that is very difficult to diagnose and treat properly.”
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If you’re dealing with ongoing nervous system or autoimmune issues that are unusual, it could be a sign of COVID-19. “There are three main ways by which COVID-19 might affect the nervous system,” says Dr Daniel Kondziella, clinical research associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital. “First, the virus itself has some sort of neurotropism. That means the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the brain, where it damages the tissue directly. The other option is that there is an autoimmune response by which cross-reaction toward the virus particles induces a neuroinflammatory pathway in the brain. We did find that in our study to a relatively lesser extent, compared to the third category, which is peripheral nervous system damage not directly caused by the virus or by autoimmune responses, but more because of treatment-related disorders.”
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Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, 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.