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Infectious disease caused by a new type of coronavirus can be dangerous for at-risk groups. Others should be able to manage it without major complications. But how can you tell if this menace has reached you too? These are the most common symptoms.
80 % of infected people without symptoms
Do you feel tired, without energy and drive, closely watching the mercury in the thermometer and waiting to see if it will exceed those “magical” 38 °C? Maybe you are stressing completely unnecessarily. Most likely you are suffering from a common flu rather than the much-feared coronavirus. Infection with the new type of coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 runs asymptomatically (that is, without symptoms) or with very mild symptoms in up to 80 % of infected people!
The disease is confirmed only by a test
Of course, it may happen that you fall into the remaining 20 % of infected people who will not avoid symptoms and various troubles. But you will only have 100% certainty when the disease is confirmed by a test. You should consider undergoing it when the following symptoms appear:
- fever over 38 °C
- muscle and head pain
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- dry cough
- sore throat
- loss of taste and smell
- digestive and gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, diarrhea)
- pneumonia
However, this does not mean that you will suffer from all the listed symptoms at once. One sick person may struggle with fever and shortness of breath, another confirmed case will deal “only” with muscle aches and unpleasant diarrhea.
It started in China, but unfortunately we already have it in Europe as well. The coronavirus is bothering us and will continue to bother us.
Statistics speak clearly
But if we look at people who have had the coronavirus or are currently being treated for it, then according to WHO data we find that fever higher than 38 °C occurred in 88 % of symptomatic cases. In 68 % of infected people it was also a dry cough, with both of these symptoms typically appearing at the onset of the illness.
About 18 % of people then developed shortness of breath and 14 % of patients also experienced fatigue, sore throat, headache and muscle pain.
What if you notice symptoms on yourself?
If you haven’t been feeling well for some time and notice one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms, contact your general practitioner. Definitely do not go to their office. And not even wearing a face mask or respirator! Wait for their guidance and instructions, and follow them.
If the treating physician assesses that you could indeed be suffering from the disease, they will probably ask you to contact the regional hygiene station, which will recommend the next steps.
You can also call the 1212 line, where they will provide information and free psychological help. There are also 24/7 lines of the National Institute of Public Health, which you can find at the numbers 724 810 106, 725 191 367 and 725 191 370. Call 112 or 155 only in case of serious health problems or life-threatening situations!
What to do next?
If doctors assess that you might be suffering from the disease, you will probably have to wait to be tested. Usually it will not be immediate. You may wait up to a week for the test. The evaluation of results then takes 12–72 hours. During this time it is necessary to remain in home quarantine and ideally separate healthy household members (including pets) from the potentially infected person. If the infection is confirmed, it depends on the specific condition of the patient and the doctor, who will decide on further procedure.
Do you have someone around you who was infected with the new type of coronavirus? How are they coping? Let us know in the discussion under the article.
