Covid 19
COVID-19 is a respiratory condition caused by a coronavirus. Some people are infected but don’t notice any symptoms (doctors call that being asymptomatic). Most people will have mild symptoms and get better on their own. But some will have severe problems, such as trouble breathing. The odds of more serious symptoms are higher if you’re older or have another health condition like diabetes or heart disease.
Here’s what to look for if you think you might have COVID-19.
Common Symptoms
The most common things people who become ill with COVID-19 have include:
Fever or chills
A dry cough and shortness of breath
Feeling very tired
Muscle or body aches
Headache
A loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
These symptoms can start anywhere from 2 to 14 days after you’re in contact with the virus.
Emergency Symptoms
Call a doctor or hospital right away if you have any of these issues:
Trouble breathing
Constant pain or pressure in your chest
Bluish lips or face
Sudden confusion
Having a hard time staying awake
If you have any of these, you need medical care as soon as possible, so call your doctor’s office or hospital before you go in. This will help them prepare to treat you and protect medical staff and other people.
Strokes have also been reported in some people who have COVID-19. Remember FAST:
Face. Is one side of the person’s face numb or drooping? Is their smile lopsided?
Arms. Is one arm weak or numb? If they try to raise both arms, does one arm sag?
Speech. Can they speak clearly? Ask them to repeat a sentence.
Time. Every minute counts when someone shows signs of a stroke. Call 911 right away.
Researchers are working on several possible treatments for COVID-19, but only the antiviral drug remdesivir (Veklury) has been approved by the FDA, and it is approved only for use in hospitalized people. The FDA has authorized health care providers to use medications that aren’t yet approved for COVID-19, such as monoclonal antibodies, in some special cases at www.illicitgardens.com.
