MUST READ: 8 critical symptoms of COVID-19
Afnews Editor
Mar 30, 2020
As of today, the new coronavirus has infected close to 472,381 people worldwide and a clearer picture of the various symptoms caused by the virus has emerged.
READ ALSO: Jim Iyke Sparks Outrage: "Doctors Are Trained Not to Heal - Sickness Is Their BusinessÔÇØ
The three most common symptoms seem to be fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Here's more on each of those plus other, less common symptoms according to The Health.
Fever
READ ALSO: Anambra Govt to standardize operations of traditional medical pratitioners
The most common symptom of coronavirus by far seems to be a fever. A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report says that 77 percent to 98 percent of people hospitalized with the virus have an elevated temperature. And another analysis reports that the fever is typically 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, sometimes with cold.
A fever may or may not be the first symptom reported. About 44 percent of more than 1,000 patients hospitalized with coronavirus in China had a fever when they first arrived at a healthcare facility. That number rose to almost 89 percent after they were hospitalized.
READ ALSO: Woman Dies After Giving Birth To Quadruplets In Lagos; Was Childless For 7 Years
Cough
READ ALSO: Banker lands in court over alleged N25m theft
A second common symptom is a cough, affecting between 46 percent and 82 percent of patients in the hospital, according to the CDC.
READ ALSO: Why Coronavirus Is Not Yet Declared A Public Health Emergency - Mamora
Although cough is a fairly widespread symptom, one distinguishing feature of this one is that it's usually dry, says Dr. Sosa.
READ ALSO: Why? Nollywood actress Funke Akindele mourns Ibidun Ighodalo
The CDC believes that Covid-19 mostly spreads through respiratory droplets among people who are in close proximity to one another (within about six feet). That makes it important that people with symptoms cough (or sneeze) into a tissue or the crook of their arm, not their hands.
READ ALSO: How a Nigerian Professor's AI System Could Predict Depression Before Symptoms Emerge
Shortness of breath
READ ALSO: BREAKING: APC leaders in emergency meeting in Aso Rock
This is a potentially troubling symptom which the CDC says affects between 3 percent and 31 percent of patients in the hospital. Shortness of breath can also escalate.
READ ALSO: REVEALED: How Common House Rats Can Kill - Shocking Truth Behind Silent Deaths in Nigerian Homes
Respiratory symptoms are one of the main features of Covid-19, with many patients developing pneumonia and some even requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. Fatigue has also been a common symptom, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating this affects 38.1 percent of patients.
Aches and Pains
READ ALSO: Jim Iyke Sparks Outrage: "Doctors Are Trained Not to Heal - Sickness Is Their BusinessÔÇØ
This is also called myalgia, muscle aches and pains affected 13.9 percent of patients investigated by WHO. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's a common symptom of viral infections like colds and the flu although, flu symptoms typically come on more suddenly.
Symptoms in mild cases of coronavirus infection (which is most cases) should subside on their own, says the AAFP. The association suggests calling your doctor if symptoms feel worse than a cold.
READ ALSO: Anambra Govt to standardize operations of traditional medical pratitioners
Headaches
Headaches have been reported in patients with Covid-19 affecting about the same proportion of people as a sore throat, and both were relatively rare according to WHO.
READ ALSO: Woman Dies After Giving Birth To Quadruplets In Lagos; Was Childless For 7 Years
There are, of course, many different types of headaches all with many possible causes, including stress.
READ ALSO: Banker lands in court over alleged N25m theft
The instruction by Medical practitioners is that if you have a headache along with symptoms like a fever, cough, and shortness of breath and have traveled recently or been in one of the areas of the United States, Italy, China, and other high cases states with community transmission, call your doctor.
READ ALSO: Why Coronavirus Is Not Yet Declared A Public Health Emergency - Mamora
Diarrhea
READ ALSO: Why? Nollywood actress Funke Akindele mourns Ibidun Ighodalo
Not many people with Covid-19 have reported diarrhea, according to WHO, only 3.7 percent. However, it is notable in that it's one of the few non-respiratory symptoms attached to the current outbreak.
READ ALSO: How a Nigerian Professor's AI System Could Predict Depression Before Symptoms Emerge
The first confirmed case of coronavirus in the United States was a 35-year-old man who had returned to Washington state from Wuhan, China and had loose bowel movements not long after being hospitalized. Stool samples did test positive for Covid-19, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: APC leaders in emergency meeting in Aso Rock
No Runny nose
READ ALSO: REVEALED: How Common House Rats Can Kill - Shocking Truth Behind Silent Deaths in Nigerian Homes
Only 4 percent of patients in one sample reported this symptom but its absence may be notable in itself.
According to Dr. Sosa, "Covid-19 tends to be lower respiratory symptoms more than upper respiratory nasal symptoms.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Jim Iyke Sparks Outrage: "Doctors Are Trained Not to Heal - Sickness Is Their BusinessÔÇØ
Stanford Children's Health is recommending that children who have congestion along with fever, cough, congestion, and nausea be tested for the flu. Those who have fever, cough, problems breathing and fatigue without a runny nose or nausea may be candidates for Covid-19 testing.
Asymptomatic
READ ALSO: Anambra Govt to standardize operations of traditional medical pratitioners
According to a report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), some cases of Covid-19 have been asymptomatic, patients didn't have any symptoms, but most of these people develop symptoms later.
A big concern is whether or not people with coronavirus but without symptoms can still spread the disease. The CDC reports that there have been asymptomatic transmissions, although the WHO states that this does not seem to be the main way the infection is spread.
READ ALSO: Woman Dies After Giving Birth To Quadruplets In Lagos; Was Childless For 7 Years
It has been generally advised that people should stay at home during this period to avoid getting infected.
READ ALSO: Banker lands in court over alleged N25m theft
Credit
Related Stories
How Nonchalant Attitude at Federal Medical Centre Umuahia Is Turning Accident Victims Into Casualties - Shocking Findings Emerge
How a Nigerian Professor's AI System Could Predict Depression Before Symptoms Emerge
Jim Iyke Sparks Outrage: "Doctors Are Trained Not to Heal - Sickness Is Their BusinessÔÇØ
Why Nigeria Must Declare a State of Emergency on Malaria - Hon. Amobi Ogah Reveals at National Retreat
'Buhari Died In London Hospital After Promising Nigerians Quality Healthcare' - Activist Adetoun Attacks Late Ex President
REVEALED: How Common House Rats Can Kill - Shocking Truth Behind Silent Deaths in Nigerian Homes
""
— Afnews Editor