The sure sign that you have Covid, according to a doctor

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.

1

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

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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.)

2

The unique sign is that you could lose your sense of smell

Portrait of young woman smelling a fresh and sweet nectarine
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A loss of sense of taste or smell has also been reported by 55% of adults aged 18 to 65, such as early CVIV-19 symptoms. It was less commonly reported in younger age groups (21%) or older (26%).

Specialists of the ORL Are always uncertain if the loss of sense of taste or odor occurs because the Covid-19 virus damages the olfactory nerve directly, or if it is due to nasal inflammation and obstruction.

3

How many asymptomatic covidant patients are asymptomatic?

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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.

4

Asymptomatic Covid and "Super-Spanders"

Woman at the local market's checkout paying by debit card
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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 a profession that gives them a high contact rate with other people, such as a merchant, a hairdresser or a waitress
  • Travel frequently; They can often use public transport or global
  • Participate in group events or mass gatherings, for example, singing in a choir or attend regular church services
  • Do not comply with infection control measures; Studies show up to50%people continue as normal in a pandemic and do not attend the rules
  • It suffices to spread more viruses, for reasons that are unclear, possibly genetic.

DataPrevious epidemics have shown that 20% of the population is responsible for 80% of infections.

Most people would not like to infect another person unconsciously. Any of us could be infected. It is imperative that we all act responsibly and that we follow the rules of infection control.

While the pandemic progresses, young adults are now considered as the most likely super-spreaders. Recently, the largest increase in infections in the UK has been in older adults20 to 29. Young adults may be wrongly believe that the virus is dangerous only for the elderly. It's far from the truth. In the United States, for example,1 out of 5Of the 4,226 patients 4,226 hospitalized patients for Covid-19 aged 20 to 44 years.

The authorities are afraid that the locking rules have been relaxed, young adults have become complacent. They must remember that the virus is not gone. All rules still need to be followed. Whenever we are wrong the guidelines, we risk infecting someone who can not fit well with infection. It may be or not, but it could be your parents, your grandparents and / or any 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 from other people who are not in your household, cover your nose and mouth with afacial mask, wash your hands regularly and carefully follow all the rules on social distancing.

RELATED:Malic habits on the planet, according to doctors

5

What if you think you have symptoms of Covid

Young man suffering from cold at his home
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If you think you may have COVID-19, take advice on the CDC website.

6

How to treat light covid symptoms at home

young woman sitting on a couch having a strong headache
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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 wait for your body to produce antibodies that destroy the virus.

Four out of 5 people will have recovered from the virus within two to four weeks.

Here are some simple tips onHow to treat the symptoms of COVIDat home:

  • Rest.Your body needs energy to fight the virus. Do not feel guilty of putting your feet, taking a nap or not doing housework. You must take it easily and treat yourself.
  • Drink a lot of liquids. Have a cool jug nearby and often take regular gorges. You lose more water when you have a fever and you can easily be dehydrated, and you must keep your traffic overcome.
  • 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 cold cloth on your forehead, suck the ice cubes, take a bath or a cool shower. Acetaminophen andibuprofen can be taken to reduce fever.
  • To cough can be very troublesome. Drink hotLemon and honeyis as effective as any cough medicine and can soothe a sore throat.
  • For most people,shortness of breath will pass. In a small number of cases, when infection progresses and your oxygen levels fall, breathlessness worsens.Five to 15%COVID patients finally need admission to intensive care of respiratory aid and sometimes using a fan.
  • To rememberTake all your usual medicine, including the use of any inhaler.
  • Rest and sleep. You will be tired when you are sick, because your body uses all its energy to make antibodies and face the other effects of infection.
  • Help you plan. For example: organize grocery races once a week with home delivery and cooking pre-prepared simple meals. Accept the help of family, friends and neighbors. Eat often small nourishing meals. Do not push yourself - all these jobs should just wait.

7

How to treat shortness of breath

Asian woman having difficulty breathing in bedroom at night
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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.

8

When to make an emergency call

Doctor nurse in protective face mask listening to breath with a stethoscope suspecting Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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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

RELATED:The symptoms of COVID usually appear in this order, study

9

If it's not Covid, what else could it be?

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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

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.

10

The changing face of the virus

Two Medical Scientists in the Brain Research Laboratory Discussing Progress on the Neurophysiology Project Curing Tumors.
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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.

RELATED: 7 side effects to wear a face mask

11

What can you do to help you?

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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.


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