Recognizing Symptoms of COVID-19
A person can have COVID-19 and not show any symptoms (pre-symptomatic phase). It can take 2 to 14 days before symptoms show (symptomatic phase). Some people with COVID-19 many never show symptoms (asymptomatic cases). COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe and require different levels of care. People with COVID-19 who do not show symptoms can pass on the virus. Protect yourself by wearing a mask, hand washing and keeping a safe 6ft (2m) apart.
The most common symptoms that people do have are:
- Fever 🤒,
- dry cough,
- loss of taste,
- headaches🤕,
- body aches,
- fatigue,
- muscle pain,
- shortness of breath, and
- difficulty breathing.
Mild symptoms include:
- slight fever,
- tiredness,
- muscle aches,
- headaches,
- in some cases a loss of sense of smell or taste.
Most people with mild symptoms will feel better in a week.
People with moderate symptoms include:
- fever (over 38 degrees C),
- a frequent cough,
- muscle aches,
- headache.
- Breathlessness when moving around.
People with moderate symptoms may need to stay in bed and rest. Moderate cases of COVID-19 usually last 7-14 days.
People with severe symptoms have:
- high fever (~40 degrees C),
- breathless when sitting down,
- very quick breathing,
- need to take extra breaths between words when speaking,
- they will also complain of chest tightness and pain in the chest,
- loss of appetite and confusion.
Medical attention is needed for people these severe symptoms. Some COVID-19 symptoms are very serious and if a person has any of these they should be taken immediately to the health facility 🏥. These include fast breathing, pale or bluish lips or difficulty speaking.