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Do I have the coronavirus? Answering this question is complicated not only because of the paucity of screening tests available or the fact that there are asymptomatic carriers, but also because the symptoms span a wide range and vary in presentation and intensity.
Unlike other infections that have classic and easily recognizable symptoms, covid-19 varies greatly from person to person. Some will have mild illness and others more severe and life-threatening complications.
Based on the information that has been collected about the millions of cases reported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the list of symptoms.
At three initials ( fever, cough, and shortness of breath), now six more are added: chills, tremors with non-chilling chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and increased loss of smell or taste.
These may appear from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and its degree or presentation may vary. Not everyone will present everyone.
Updating this list is important for patients and also in view of the criteria that doctors use to carry out the screening test, which, due to shortage problems, is not yet available to everyone who wants to receive it, but must comply with certain medical criteria.
The health agency stresses that the emergency warning signs requiring urgent medical attention are shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, confusion or difficulty being alert, and bluish discoloration of the lips or face. And it offers an online tool to help patients determine what to do based on symptoms or when to go to the hospital.
Other “unofficial” symptoms
Of the millions of coronavirus cases in the world, reports of other sporadic symptoms such as stomach problems have appeared, which have not yet been included in the “official” list of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to a study by The Lancet, 3% of Chinese patients had diarrhea, and the World Health Organization indicates that 5% of people have nausea.
Recently, it has also been said that some patients -especially children and young people- who have purple or bluish lesions on the feet and toes. The phenomenon is still under study and some experts believe that it can be attributed to excess inflammation or thrombi.
