COVID-19 and its symptoms is still very new, we are only starting to study and understand the virus. The following information of coronavirus symptoms is the best we have so far, which we’ll continue to update as we learn more.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 Coronavirus infection you are asymptomatic, meaning you do not experience nor exhibit any symptoms. It is important to know that during the asymptomic stage you are still highly contagious to others. Most people will start to feel sick and experience symptoms between 5 to 7 days after infection, in some people symptoms may appear as soon as day 2 or as late as 14 days after infection.
After the asymptomatic stage of COVID-19, Early Symptoms include:
- fever
- dry cough
After the fever and dry cough, people experience:
- fatigue
- headaches
- diarrhea / gastrointestinal problems (less common)
- difficulty breathing / shortness of breath (can occur around day 5) – The illness causes lung lesions and pneumonia.
Some Less common symptoms:
- Runny Nose
- Sinus Congestion
Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making self-diagnosis difficult
Severe Symptoms:
Around 20% percent of infections are severe and require hospitalization. Severe symptoms mainly occur if the coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract (lungs & windpipe) causing a pneumonia.
- Pneumonia
- Kidney Failure
- Other Organ Failures
- *Epileptic Seizures – Not widely talked about however there have been numerous, yet unconfirmed videos and reports of the virus causing violent seizures.
High Risk Individuals: are more likely to experience severe symptoms and are at the most risk from dying from COVID-19.:
- Elderly / older people
- Heart Disease
- Obesity
- Weakened immune systems
- Chronic health issues
- Generally in very poor health
THE BAD NEWS:
In rare cases, after the 1st week people who appeared stable and near full recovery, then rapidly took a turn for the worst at the start of the second week.
THE GOOD NEWS:
According to the World Heath Organization, around 80% of cases seem to be mild, with cold-like symptoms to the flu-like symptoms of feeling like you were hit by a truck.
RECOVERY:
Antibiotics are of no use as this is a viral infection, antiviral flu drugs do not work, recovery mainly depends on the strength of the immune system. Many people who have already died from COVID-19 were in poor health.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Doctors recommend that if you exhibit any symptoms you should rest and drink plenty of fluids. You should also self-isolate so you minimize your ability to infect others. If symptoms take a turn for the worse make sure you check in with your doctor.
