8 COVID-19 warning signs is in your body
The last last on what we know about coronavirus.
As a doctor, I will never forget December 2019, when the first cases of a mysterious virus have been reported in Wuhan, China. Initially, this was known as "serious respiratory coronavirus virus" - SARS-CO-V-2. Subsequently, the virus was officially named Coronavirus 2019, now shortened toCOVID-19 [Feminine. And what year it was!
As I write, theWorld Health Organizationhas confirmed more than 64 million cases around the world and 1.48 million deaths. We live through a global viral pandemic that has changed our lives in a way that we have never imagined. Incredible than a tiny virus-100 million Virus Covid-19 virus can integrate into a pinhead - has chosen these ravages and devastating.
Here are the latest information on what we know about Covid-19, its adult symptoms and what you can do to facilitate the symptoms if you contract it. Read on and ensure your health and health of others, do not miss theseWithout signs that you have already had coronavirus.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
It takes pretty muchfive daysAfter being exposed to the virus so that symptoms appear. About97.5%People who develop symptoms do it within 11.5 days.
Over the last ten months, statistics have been collected on the type and frequency of VVID symptoms. At first, we were told to look for a dry cough and a fever, but more recent information suggests that other symptoms can be even more common. A recentEuropean studyFrom 1,420 patients admitted to 18 hospitals in Europe reported symptoms of COVID in the following frequency order:
- Headache 70.3%
- Loss of smell 70.2%
- Nasal obstruction 67.8%
- Cough 63.2%
- Weakness 63.3%
- Muscle pain 65.2%
- Nose COUNNY 61.1%
- Loss of appetite 54.2%
- Sore throat 52.9%
- Fever 45.4%
Interestingly, groups of symptoms differed depending on age and sex.
- The youngest patients more often had ear symptoms, nose and throat.
- Elderly patients more often had fever, loss of appetite and fatigue.
- The loss of smell, fatigue, headache and nasal obstruction were more common in women.
In another recent publication in theBmjThe authors studied 20,133 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. They found that the symptoms appeared to be clusters: a respiratory cluster (cough, shortness of breath, expression and fever), musculoskeletal cluster (joint pain, headache and fatigue) and a gastrointestinal cluster (abdominal pain, diarrhea and Vomiting.)
The unique sign is that you could lose your sense of smell
How many asymptomatic covidant patients are asymptomatic?
Many patients who are infected with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. But how common is it? In April, theCebmtried to answer this question. They tabulated the results of various sources and concluded
- 5% - 80% of COVID patients are asymptomatic
- Some asymptomatic cases will develop symptoms
- Children and young adults often have no symptoms
NBC NewsReported on a study of 217 people on a cruise ship traveling from Australia to Antarctica. There, 59% have been positive for Covid-19, but only 19% had symptoms. A complete 81% were asymptomatic.
In another recent publication inJAMA internal medicineThe authors studied 303 patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 in Cheonan, South Korea. Of them, 110 were asymptomatic before starting themselves. However, the other 21 symptoms developed between days 13 and 20 days of isolation.
Note, the study showed that the asymptomatic group had the same amount of virus in their nose, throat and lungs as patients with symptoms. The authors commented that those with asymptomatic infection "do not seem different" of those with symptoms. They may be less effective for transmitting the virus as they do not touch or do not dissipate. However, the difference is that people with symptoms know they have the virus and stay at home. Those who are not aware, they continue to continue their normal daily activities and disseminate more viruses.
Asymptomatic Covid and "Super-Spanders"
You can not say that is infected by Covid-19. Look around you; It could be anyone. The problem is that some people spread more viruses than others. The average person with COVID infects 1.3 to 3.5 other people. If you infect more people than that, you are called a "super-spreader. "
Super spreaders can
- have an occupation that gives them a high rate of contact with other people, like a trader, a hairdresser or a waitress
- Travel frequently; They can often use public transport or be GlobeTrotters
- participate in group events or mass gatherings, for example, singing in a choir or attend regular religious services
- not consistent with infection control measures; Studies show up to50%people pursue normally in case of pandemic and do not stick to the rules
- Spread a little more the virus, for reasons that are unclear, perhaps genetic.
DataPrevious foci showed that 20% of the population are responsible for 80% of infections.
Most people do not want to infect another person, without knowing it. Each of us could be infected. It is imperative that we, responsibly and respect the rules of infection control.
As the pandemic progresses, young adults are now considered the most likely super-spacers. In recent times, the highest increases in UK infections have been among older adults20 to 29. Young adults perhaps mistakenly believe that the virus is only dangerous for the elderly. It's far from the truth. In the United States, for example,1 to 5First 4,226 hospitalized patients for COVID-19 were aged 20 to 44.
The authorities are afraid that the Lockdown rules have appeased, young adults have become complacent. They must remember that the virus has not disappeared. All rules still need to be respected. Whenever we fail the guidelines, we risk infecting someone who can not withdraw it infection. It can or can not be you, but it could be your parents, grandparents, and / or other elderly or sick, neighbors and friends.
What does all this mean? This means that you can never say that could be infected with the virus. That's why stay safe, you need to keep at least six feet other people who are not in your home, cover your nose and mouth with afacial mask, Wash your hands regularly and carefully follow all the rules relating to social distance distancing.
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What to do if you think you have COVID symptoms
If you think you may have COVID-19, take advice on the CDC website.
- Follow the CDC tipswhat to do if you are sick
- Check your symptoms on theCoronavirus auto-checker
- Stay at home
- Self-isolation for at least 10 days. This way to stay away from others, even in your own home.
How to treat mild symptoms of Covid at Home
There are no current effective treatments for COVID-19. Covid-19 is a virus, and antibiotics do not kill viruses, so there is no indication for antibiotics. All you can do is take care of yourself, rest and waiting for your body to produce antibodies that destroy the virus.
Four people out of 5 will have recovered from the virus within two to four weeks.
Here are some simple tips onHow to treat Covid symptomsat home:
- Rest.Your body needs energy to fight against the virus. Do not feel guilty of putting your feet, take a nap or do not get the tasks performed. You must take easily and take care of yourself.
- Drink a lot of liquids. Have a jug of fresh water nearby and take regularly sloped often. You lose more water when you have a fever and can easily dehydrate, and you must keep your traffic replenished.
- Keep calm. Sit by an open window, but do not use a fan because it increases the risk of transmission of the virus. Use a cool cloth on your forehead, suck ice cubes, take a bath or cold shower. and acetaminophenibuprofen can be taken to lower fever.
- To cough can be very troublesome. drinking hotLemon and honeyis as effective as cough drugs and can soothe a painful gorge.
- For most people,shortness of breath will pass. In a small number of cases, the progress of infection and your oxygen rate falls, aggravating shortcomings.Five to 15%COVID patients possibly need for intensive care for respiratory assistance and sometimes the use of a fan.
- To rememberTake all your usual medications, Including the use of any inhalers.
- Rest and sleep. You will be tired when you are sick, that your body uses all its energy to produce antibodies and deal with other effects of infection.
- Help you planifying in advance. For example: organize races once a week with home delivery, and cook simple meals prepared in advance. Accept the help of family, friends and neighbors. Eat meals of small nourismes often. Do not push yourself-all these jobs just wait.
How to deal with breath
Your breathing can change quickly in hours or minutes. If you are on everything concerned, do not wait for help searching for help. It is also virtually impossible to evaluate your own breathing properly.
Curiously, many COVID patients do not realize how much they are breathless. It is an unexplained phenomenon of the disease called "happy hypoxemia". For this reason, many patients and their guards do not seem to be aware of the severity of their breathing. This can lead to a delay in admission to the hospital.
Here are some tips to strengthen your lungs and treat shortness of breath.
- Recover. A chair can be better than a bed or appropriating with lots of pillows. Sometimes you have something in front of you like a table or cushion can help you.
- Try to stay calm. To be worried aggravate the breathlessness.
- Enter a good pace of breathing. Breathe slowly that you count one, then breathe slowly when you count two and three. Breathe ever longer than you breathe when you breathe. Otherwise, you end up panting and remember carbon dioxide, which is counterproductive. Remember that you need to breathe effectively to empty your lungs, so you have room to fill them with more air.
- Keep the room well moistened. You can produce steam in a saucepan of boiling water (take extreme care if you do) or the use of a humidifier. Steam helps the mucus of release. A hot shower or a hot bath can help.
- Try to "Huff" For 10 minutes, three times a day. Sit straight and breathe with force once or twice, as if you polish a mirror. This will make you cough, which is good - it deposits the mucus in your chest.
When to make an emergency call
If you fear that yourThe condition worsensCall 911 for help without delay.
Here are some disturbing symptoms. This list is not exhaustive, with a few common scenarios. If you are not sure, do not delay. Acquire help.
- You are more and more out of breath; It becomes harder to speak
- Your lips, fingers and toes look blue
- You are exhausted, agitated or confused
- You have chest pain
- You feel sleepy
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If it's not Covid, what else could it be?
When you feel sick and think it could be Covid, there are many other infections / conditions that could be. If your symptoms are light and improving, it is prudent to stay at home, rest and give your body time to combat infection.
However, if you are seriously ill or your symptoms aggravate, you must ask for help as soon as possible. The medical team will take your history, will examine and organize tests according to your symptoms and signs.
Here are some possible causes for your symptoms, other than Covid-19.
Viral infections
- FluAffects about 10% of the population each year.
- Syncytial Respiratory Virus (RSV)Most often affects babies and young children, where this can cause bronchiolitis. However, this also affects older people.
- Parainfluenza virusCauses commonly croups in babies and young children, but this also causes bronchitis and pneumonia in the elderly.
- Human metapneumovirusGenerally affects babies, young children, the elderly and those with an weakened immune system.
- Adenovirusis very common in the winter months and affects all age groups, causing a cold, rump, bronchitis and common pneumonia.
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Viruses propagated by rats and mice can cause symptoms similar to COVID-19. These infections are rare and occur in people who work in pest control.
Bacterial infections
- Streptococcus pneumoniaeCauses pneumonia during the winter months. This can affect babies, children and adults. You can receive protectionpneumococcal vaccination.
- Haemophilus influenzae. Babies are now vaccinated against this bacterium. The infection is much less common and can cause pneumonia and meningitis.
- Moxarella catarrhalis. A common cause of otitite medium (ear infection) in children, this bacterium can cause pneumonia in the elderly, especially in the underlying people.
- Atypical bacterial pneumonia. The most common are mycoplasm, chlamydia andLegionella pneumoniae.
Sepsisis a medical emergency threatening by life. Symptoms may imitate those of severe Covid-19 infection.
Non-infectious causes
- Heart failure. When the heart does not pump properly, the lungs can fill with fluid.
- Pulmonary embolfis a blood clot in the lung, which makes you feel suddenly badly and out of breath.
- Salicylate poisoningCan an overdose of aspirin cause acute pulmonary edema or accumulation of liquid in the lungs.
Diseases of the skin
Many different skin conditions have been reported with COVID, but they can be confused withVaricella Zoster,urticaria(urticaria),chilblainsWhereSyndrome of gloves and purepuric socks.
The changing face of the virus
As the pandemic continues, various factors on infection become apparent.
The virus seems to be less deadly.
For example, in the United Kingdom,The University of OxfordCité a gross mortality rate of 18% in April, but only 1% in August.
This may be due to the fact that the virus continues, the highest infection rates are now observed in young adults (which are more likely to survive infection), and / or because hospitals improve to treat the infection.
The immune response to Covid-19 is still not well understood.
It takes pretty much10 daysfor the production of antibodies to go down. Those who have the most serious infections tend to have the strongest antibody response. It is still not clear why some people have a wrong answer in antibody - or, for those who have a good antibody response, how long the answer will be sustainable. Only time will say. There was a recently reported case in Hong Kong of a patient who became infected by Covid-19 for a second time.
There may be long-term complications.
For some coovidian patients, symptoms can be durable. TheBBCReports that 300,000 patients have symptoms of more than four weeks and 60,000 have presented symptoms for at least 3 months. This is called "Long Covid".
A wide range of symptoms can persist afterCOVID, from continuous breathlessness, fatigue, muscle fatigue and mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression.
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What can you do to help you?
To stay well, be alert, be aware, follow the infection control guidelines and be in the best health you can.
Know the symptoms of Covid and what to look for. But remember that Covid is all around us and many people wear and spread the virus that do not know they have it. To protect yourself and those you love, practice social distance, wear a mask and wash your hands. Remember that 20% of the population cause 80% of COVID infections. Do not be one of these 20%.And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss these35 places you are most likely to catch Covid.