I used to be certain it was only a summer time chilly. I’d developed a sore throat one night in late July, midway by means of my household trip. Subsequent morning got here the headache and runny nostril. By the journey’s finish, I felt a bone-deep exhaustion at odds with the week of seaside rest I’d simply loved.
I’d had a tough bout of COVID in 2022—to the purpose of requiring chest X-rays, and being prescribed a steroid and an inhaler—and this newest sickness didn’t really feel almost as extreme. I’d worn a masks throughout air journey and was updated on my vaccinations. Solely when my signs had not solely failed to enhance but additionally worsened after almost every week of taking over-the-counter chilly drugs did I think about it may very well be COVID in spite of everything.
An at-home take a look at confirmed I’d been struck by the summer time surge plaguing the nation. (And, sarcastically, I might write an article in regards to the swelling wave of infections the identical week I examined optimistic.) However my latest analysis strengthened two COVID tenets: testing is the one method to differentiate between respiratory sicknesses comparable to COVID, the flu, the frequent chilly, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); and coronavirus signs can manifest in another way in the identical affected person upon reinfection.
COVID signs could be gentle, extreme, or nonexistent, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). Remember that signs can seem as late as two weeks after you’ve been uncovered to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.
New variants of the virus proceed to come back and go; the FLiRT class of Omicron subvariants raged over the summer time, whereas a subvariant known as XEC is poised to dominate this fall. The CDC says signs might differ by variant, however hasn’t tied sure signs to a selected variant.
What are the signs of COVID?
Whereas not an exhaustive listing, the CDC encourages the general public to be careful for these signs:
- Congestion or runny nostril
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Muscle or physique aches
- New lack of style or scent
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or issue respiratory
- Sore throat
As well as, the World Well being Group highlights these much less frequent signs:
- Rash on pores and skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
- Purple or irritated eyes
Which COVID signs require emergency care?
The CDC recommends in search of emergency medical care when you’ve got these signs:
- Incapacity to wake or keep awake
- Lips, pores and skin, and nail beds that seem pale, blue, or grey
- New confusion
- Persistent ache or stress within the chest
- Hassle respiratory
How do I deal with my COVID signs?
In case your signs are gentle, over-the-counter ache relievers comparable to ibuprofen and acetaminophen may also help most individuals really feel higher, the CDC says.
Whereas prescription antiviral drugs comparable to Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir) or Lagevrio (molnupiravir) are geared towards sufferers at excessive threat of extreme an infection, that doesn’t imply you’re solely eligible when you’ve got a situation like most cancers or HIV. The CDC considers having bronchial asthma, obese or weight problems, or sure temper problems, for instance, as threat components for extreme COVID an infection.
As quickly as you take a look at optimistic for COVID, talk about your remedy choices along with your well being care supplier.
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