Symptoms of COVID-19 typically develop 2 to 14 days after you have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. They may progress differently from person to person, but fever is likely to be the first symptom.
Severe symptoms can occur after around a week, and people who are sick with this virus often need hospitalization to get treated. Some of these people also have a condition called respiratory distress syndrome, where their lungs are not providing enough oxygen to their body.
A fever is one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 and affects an average of four in ten (40%) children and adults at some point during their illness. Fever is a sign of infection, but can also be a sign that your body is trying to fight the infection. If you have a high temperature, call your doctor right away. They may need to take your temperature again or give you medicines to help your body fight the infection.
Chest pain from COVID-19 usually feels similar to chest pain that happens with a lung problem like pneumonia. It may be sharp, stinging or aching and worsens when you breathe. Heart palpitations are also common. If you have COVID-19 and experience these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.
The loss of appetite is a common symptom of illness, but it can also be a sign of an underlying problem. If you notice a loss of appetite or feel like you aren't eating enough, see your healthcare provider right away. This study investigated how COVID-19 affected self-reported appetite, sensory perception and eating behaviour in a Danish population. The results indicate severe appetite-altering effects during the acute and post-acute phase of the disease, as well as significant sensory perception alterations (e.g., taste, orthonasal, retronasal, off-flavour, and chemesthesis).
A lot of people who get COVID-19 have a range of muscle symptoms that stay with them for weeks or months after the infection. These symptoms can be mild or serious. Many of these symptoms are similar to other problems that may happen when you have a long-term illness. These include fatigue, weakness and muscle pain.
Symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are among the first symptoms that people with COVID-19 often report. They also may happen before respiratory symptoms such as a dry cough. It is thought that COVID-19 enters the body through the receptors for the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the gastrointestinal tract. It then damages cells.
Diarrhea is a common symptom of COVID, usually showing up in the first few days after being infected. It is caused by an alteration in how fast your stool travels through the intestines. This means it stays in your bowel longer and causes you to lose water and electrolytes. So it's important to stay hydrated and drink lots of clear fluids to keep yourself healthy.
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms people with COVID-19 experience. They range from pressure-type pain to severe, throbbing pain with some migraine-like features, notes Teshamae Monteith, MD, an associate professor of clinical neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. For some, headaches can continue weeks or even months after the infection. This is called post-COVID syndrome or long COVID.
People who have underlying health problems are more likely to get confused when they have COVID. This can be a warning sign that their illness is getting worse and could be a cause for concern. If you have confusion after a COVID infection, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the cause of your confusion and find ways to treat it.
Shortness of breath (also called dyspnea) is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Some people have mild cases of it that go away after a few days, while others experience severe, lasting symptoms. Breathing exercises can help make the lungs work better. Try to inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through your pursed lips. Do this several times a day. Each time, aim for the exhale to last twice as long as the inhale.
Loss of coordination is when people can't control their muscles, making it difficult for them to walk, lift or carry objects. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including damage to the cerebellum. In some cases, this can also be a sign of poor stress coping and anxiety. So it's important to work on removing those factors and reduce your stress levels through meditation, psychotherapy or medications.