COVID-19 can be a confusing disease. But a group of scientists at USC determined that COVID’s symptoms usually appear in a specific order. In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, the researchers analyzed more than 56,000 cases of coronavirus in China. They found that four main symptoms tend to appear one after the other, repeatedly. “The order of symptoms is important,” said the study’s lead author, Joseph Larsen. “Knowing that each disease progresses differently means that doctors can identify earlier if someone is likely to have COVID-19 or another disease, which can help them make better treatment decisions.” Keep reading to find out what they are and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Clear signs that you’ve had the coronavirus.
The researchers found that fever tends to come first. According to the CDC, fever is one of the most common signs of COVID. Fever – defined as the body temperature above 100.4 F (38 C) – it is caused by the increase of the internal temperature of the body to fight an infection.
A persistent, dry cough is the most common sign of coronavirus; may cause shortness of breath. The surgeon’s general website lists “significant and unexplained fatigue or pain throughout the body” as a potential symptom. COVID-19 causes inflammation throughout the body, and muscle pain is often reported.
A recent review of studies found that one in five patients with COVID has some type of gastrointestinal problem. “The upper gastrointestinal tract (ie nausea / vomiting) appears to be affected before the lower gastrointestinal tract (ie diarrhea) in COVID-19, which is the opposite of MERS and SARS,” wrote the scientists.
According to Johns Hopkins, 20% of patients with COVID-19 are likely to experience diarrhea shortly after contracting the coronavirus. A study published in the journal Life science postulated that COVID-related diarrhea is probably caused by the coronavirus invading the intestinal walls, causing inflammation.
As for you, do everything you can to avoid getting – and spreading – COVID-19 in the first place: Wear a face mask, get tested if you think you have coronavirus, avoid crowds (and bars and parties at home), practice social detachment, perform only essential tasks, wash your hands regularly, disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently and overcome this pandemic in the healthiest way, don’t miss these 35 places you’re most likely to reach COVID.