Introduction
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a major cause of concern for many people around the world. With the virus continuing to spread, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of the virus and how to tell if you have it. This article will provide you with information on how to tell if you have COVID-19 and what to do if you think you may have it. We will discuss the common symptoms of the virus, how to get tested, and what to do if you test positive. We will also provide tips on how to protect yourself and your family from the virus. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to tell if you have COVID-19 and what to do if you think you may have it.
Think You Have COVID? Here’s How to Tell For Sure
If you’re feeling under the weather and think you may have contracted COVID-19, it’s important to know for sure. Here’s how to tell if you have the virus.
Common Symptoms
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include fatigue, body aches, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to get tested.
Get Tested
The best way to know for sure if you have COVID-19 is to get tested. There are several types of tests available, including PCR tests, antigen tests, and antibody tests. PCR tests are the most accurate and can detect the virus in its early stages. Antigen tests are less accurate but can provide results in a shorter amount of time. Antibody tests can detect if you have had the virus in the past, but they cannot tell if you currently have it.
Take Precautions
If you think you may have COVID-19, it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and others. Stay home and avoid contact with other people. Wear a face mask when you go out in public. Wash your hands often and practice social distancing. If you do need to go out, make sure to follow all local guidelines.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are experiencing severe symptoms or have difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away. Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. It’s important to let them know if you think you may have COVID-19 so they can take the necessary precautions.
Stay Informed
It’s important to stay informed about the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep up with the latest news and follow the advice of your local health authorities. This will help you stay safe and protect yourself and those around you.
With the return of mask guidelines, crowded ERs, and holiday warnings, the rise of the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 might seem like deja vu from last winter. But that’s not exactly true. First: Getting vaccinated has been proven to decrease your chances of severe disease. Second: The Delta variant is at least 60% more contagious than the earliest strain, and the typical symptoms of COVID infection may have subtly changed, one study has found. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
If you’re not prone to seasonal allergies and find that you’ve been sneezing a lot, it could be due to COVID. The COVID Symptom Study has found that symptoms usually associated with a common cold or allergies, like a runny nose and sneezing, are increasingly common in COVID infections today. “If you’ve been vaccinated and start sneezing a lot without an explanation, you should get a COVID test, especially if you are living or working around people who are at greater risk from the disease,” the researchers said.
“If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, even if it is a sore throat, even if it is a runny nose, even if it is sinus congestion, go get yourself tested and limit your contact with other people until you do so,” said Louisiana State Health Officer Joe Kanter about Delta earlier this month.
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An unusual or persistent headache is an increasingly common sign of COVID. Researchers with the COVID Symptom Study, who are tracking new COVID cases in people who are unvaccinated, fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated, found that headache was the #1 symptom reported among all three groups.
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Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of COVID infection. (In one survey of long-term COVID symptoms, fatigue was reported by 100% of respondents.) If you’re experiencing fatigue that doesn’t subside with rest, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor.
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Last winter, a study at the University of Washington found that 30% of people who’ve had COVID experience persistent symptoms for as long as nine months after their initial illness. That study found that the second-most-common symptom was a loss of smell or taste. (No. 1 was fatigue.) But if you’ve been vaccinated, you might not experience that.”Fever and loss of taste and smell are being reported to a lesser degree,” said Dr. Andrew T. Chan, an epidemiologist and physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and one of the lead investigators of the Covid Symptom Study, in the New York Times.
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Many people who’ve had COVID report feeling unfocused or unable to concentrate, a.k.a. “brain fog,” a symptom can last for weeks or months after their initial illness. Last August, a study published in the Lancet found than 55% of people diagnosed with coronavirus reported neurological symptoms three months after their diagnosis.
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Watch out for the more traditional symptoms of COVID-19 as well. “People with these symptoms may have COVID-19,” says the CDC:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Get tested ASAP if you feel you might have COVID-19. And follow public health guidelines and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live. Get vaccinated ASAP. If you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear a face mask that fits snugly and is double layered. Don’t travel. Practice social distancing, avoid large crowds, 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.