COVID-19 Symptoms
Experts and civilians alike describe COVID-19 as a deadly virus with symptoms that can cause mass destruction if kept unchecked. But what exactly are the symptoms?
The more common symptoms are fevers, coughs, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throats, and congestion or runny nose. This is a direct result of the virus attacking your lungs and the body’s immune system trying its best to fight back. This usually does not require hospitalization as the symptoms are not as intense. Another symptom of the virus is a loss of taste or smell. This symptom is common in regular colds or cases of flu, thus it is not puzzling as to why COVID-19 would cause this phenomenon. The Harvard Medical School hypothesizes that COVID-19 attacks and inhibits olfactory support cells and inflame the cells in the area, making it extremely difficult for the body to detect tastes and smells. Typical symptoms of severe colds and cases of flu, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are also exhibited in COVID-19 as well.
More advanced symptoms that require emergency medical attention are confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale skin, severe difficulty in breathing, and pain in the chest. Exhibiting these symptoms suggest that the patient is in the later stages of infection, thus requiring emergency medical attention almost immediately.