Do You Know The Symptoms of COVID?

By now, most people know what they are

Many people have been infected

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. More people have gotten the virus and recovered than those who have died from COVID. Too many have died, however.

It may be difficult to tell if a person has a case of the flu or a cold rather than COVID. Many people might have some possible symptoms so they get tested. Then they will find out when the test comes back either negative or positive for COVID.

Most common symptoms include:

Fever, Dry cough, Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

Aches and pains, Sore throat, Diarrhea, Conjunctivitis, Headache, Loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, Chest pain or pressure, Loss of speech of movement

The symptoms for COVID often mirror symptoms for other health problems. It may be difficult to know if it is COVID. The easiest way to know if it is COVID is by having a test. It will indicate positive or negative.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

It takes an average of five to six days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show. It can take longer and up to fourteen days, however.

The vaccines, mask-wearing, social distancing, hand washing, and other precautions have helped. Yet the pandemic continues. Many deaths have occurred from COVID.

There are likely very few people now who can say they do not know anyone who has had COVID. It has been around as a pandemic for nearly two years. So many people have tested positive for the virus.

It is a good idea to know what symptoms to look for and to be ready to take a test to determine if it is COVID. Early detection is always helpful with every health problem.