Serious respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a viral infection that causes COVID-19. Symptoms can affect the airways and lungs, although this can vary from person to person.
The following article describes the early signs and symptoms of infection, how to recognize them, and what to do if a person develops symptoms.
Stay up to date with the latest updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.
What are the early symptoms?
Once a person is infected with the coronavirus, it can take 2 to 14 days for symptoms to appear. The average incubation period appears to be 5-6 days.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of coronavirus can be mild and progressive. According to The Lancet, when treatment at a hospital is necessary, this happens from 7 days onwards.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that a person with COVID-19 may experience a variety of symptoms, most commonly including a dry cough and shortness of breath.
They may contain a combination of at least the following two characteristics:
fever
Cold
repeated chills
muscle pain
head
Sore throat
new loss of taste or smell
According to a 2020 study, the increase in some of these symptoms seems to be:
Symbols Spread (%)
Dry cough 60.4
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 41.1
Influenza 55.5
Muscle pain 44.6
Headache 42.6
Sore throat 31.2
Disorders of smell and taste 64.4
Fatigue 68.3
Fever
Doctors view a temperature of 100.4 ° F or higher as a flu.
A person with a fever will feel hot touch on their back or chest.
Dry cough
A dry cough does not produce mucus.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom, if a person finds that they have been coughing for more than an hour, or have three or more episodes of coughing a day, they may have coronavirus.
Fatigue
Fatigue A feeling of tiredness and lack of energy. A tired person may feel tired, weak, or even lazy.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is a feeling of humility. However, those who experience shortness of breath may describe it as feeling diminished, or unable to breathe.
What are some of the symptoms?
Other features of COVID-19 may include:
closed nose
diarrhea
sputum, or cough of mucus and saliva
nausea
to clean
What are the first symptoms in children?
Symptoms of COVID-19 in children and the elderly may be mild.
The first symptoms of coronavirus infection in children are similar to those in adults.
According to the CDC, the first symptoms in children with coronavirus infection occur in the following percentages:
Symbols Spread (%)
Influenza 56
Dry cough 54
Shortness of breath 13
Fever and cough appear to be common symptoms of COVID-19 that people report in children.
Children can also develop additional symptoms, such as:
closed nose
muscle pain
running nose
to clean
diarrhea
abdominal pain
Babies with COVID-19 are likely to recover in 1-2 weeks without further complications.
Parents and caregivers with children who show signs of coronavirus infection should contact their health care providers and keep the child at home.
The child should also stay away from other people, especially those who are at high risk of getting a serious illness from the Corona virus.
When you need treatment
People who experience mild COVID-19 will be able to recover at home without hospital treatment.
However, about 1 in 5 people with coronavirus will be healthy and have difficulty breathing.
Anyone noticing any of the following symptoms should seek immediate medical attention:
breathing hard
chronic pain, or pressure, in the chest
confusion
inability to get up
lips or face pale blue
A person with these symptoms, or other severe or worrying symptoms, should call 911 immediately.
People should also tell the service operator that they think they have a coronavirus infection. If possible, they should wear a mask or cover before the aid arrives.
What to do with the first symptoms
If a person sees that he or she has symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, he or she should:
isolating yourself at home, keeping yourself separate from others in the community
stay indoors, unless you seek medical help
get plenty of rest
always have plenty of water
take cold and flu medicine over the counter (OTC) to relieve symptoms
monitor symptoms and call your doctor if necessary
wear a face mask when you are around other people
follow the guidelines of the local health department
cover their mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, then wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
wash your hands often and thoroughly
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
keep separate glasses, cups, utensils, eating utensils, towels, and bedding when staying indoors with others
clean and disinfect areas such as door hinges, counters, remote controls, telephones, keyboards, bathrooms, or tables regularly
One can learn to wash one's hands properly here.
People with symptoms of coronavirus infection should continue to isolate themselves and follow these guidelines for 14 days, or start feeling better.
How to care for someone with the first symptoms
If a person is caring for a person with the first symptoms of coronavirus infection, he or she should make sure that he or she follows the guidelines for protection and the recipient of care.
These may include:
to help the recipient follow any instructions from the doctor
to keep them hydrated
assist with groceries, instructions, and other needs
caring for any pets
to provide the OTC medical care recipient where appropriate
monitor their symptoms and look for signs that they may need additional medical help
to wash facial fabrics after use
monitor their health with coronavirus symptoms
wearing disposable gloves when washing the dirty clothes of the caregiver
daily cleaning and disinfection
using a separate bedroom and bathroom from the caregiver
ensuring good ventilation reduces the risk of infection
The caregiver should make sure that they limit contact, as much as possible, with the person they care for.
The caregiver should wear a face mask when in close proximity to a sick person, and gloves if in contact with blood, feces or body fluids.
If the recipient has difficulty breathing easily, he or she should always wear a face mask when the caregiver is nearby.
Washing hands often for 20 seconds with soap and water is important for the caregiver.
How is it transmitted?
Coronavirus is usually spread by tiny droplets of water produced by an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. When someone inhales these drops, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can enter the body.
Air droplets can also reside in certain areas and objects. People who come in contact with these contaminated areas are at risk of infection if they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth before washing their hands.
Some people can transmit the virus even though they have no symptoms. However, researchers do not know how often this may happen.
People should follow the guidelines set by their health organizations to make sure they keep themselves and others safe.
Prevention
One can protect oneself from coronavirus by following the CDC guidelines.
Includes:
wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
use a hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol if hand washing is not possible
to avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
keeping them away from people with coronavirus
keeping a distance of at least 6 meters from other people
covering the mouth and nose with a face mask as you surround others
covering the nose and mouth with tissues when coughing or sneezing
cleaning and disinfectioning most commonly affected areas.
Summary
COVID-19 is an infectious disease that usually produces symptoms that a person can control at home. However, sometimes it can cause serious illness.
People with coronavirus should make sure they follow the guidelines and isolate themselves for 14 days from the time they become ill.
If a person with COVID-19 has trouble breathing, or experiences other symptoms, they should call and seek medical help.