DO I HAVE COVID-19?

  

Almost all of us are suggestable and with the relentless focus on washing your hands and social distancing, it is easy to see COVID-19 virus lurking all over the place.  And you could be right.  The danger comes when you start to wonder if being fatigued or coughing or sneezing a few times spells ‘doom’ for you.  

First and foremost, remember 81% of those who do become infected will have a mild case, with sometimes undetectable symptoms.  This is why COVID-19 is so sinister – people can be spreading it and feel alright.

Medical researchers have been collating data about the most prevalent symptoms.  Here is a list of the most common to the less common -- as a percentage -- experienced in those who have had the virus:

Ø 88% - Higher than normal fever

Ø 68% - Dry cough

Ø 38% - Fatigue

Ø 33% - Coughing up phlegm

Ø 19% - Shortness of breath

Ø 15% - Bone or joint pain

Ø 14% - Sore throat

Ø 14% - Headache

Ø 11% - Chills

Ø 5% -  Nausea or vomiting

Ø 5% -  Stuffy nose

Ø 4% -  Diarrhoea

Ø 1% -  Coughing up blood

Ø 1% -  Swollen eyes

If you feel ill -- and have a combination of the most common symptoms -- stay home and away from others.  CALL your doctor, health clinic or emergency room (Do not just show up!) for advice as to what the best action is for you.  

In many, if not all, developed countries, there will be a special, local number you can call to get advice.  Make a note of it now and put it in your phone or on a notepad, so you don't have to go look it up if you need it for yourself, a loved one or friend  

Only a doctor or professional health care provider can say for sure, and depending on your medical history, they may advise you to self-isolate or be admitted to a hospital for acute care.

Be Wise - Be Alert

It is early days in the development and understanding of this new disease and it is easy to be soothed into ignoring the potential threat it may pose.  It is imperative to be self-aware and to stay up-to-date on the developments of the COVID-19 virus.  

Since I began monitoring and researching the growth of interest in this virus, I've noticed reporting is either sensationalism or 'no worries, she'll be right, mate' attitudes with much of what I'm finding.  My hope is that I will provide resources that are balanced and helpful.  

Symptoms 

The disease is not new in animals, but it is new in humans and that is why it is so dangerous (more on that in another article).  It seems the disease was first noted by a physician in China on 3 December.  Much is still unknown, but here are what is thought to be the symptoms as of today:

Because it is the annual flu season, it is difficult to recognise if someone just has the flu, a cold or COVID-19.  

Primarily, COVID-19 affects the lungs.  It starts with a bit of a fever, then a dry cough (meaning when you cough, no mucus is produced).  However, there is rarely sneezing and a runny nose. 

After a week, those infected have difficulty breathing - a sense of shortness of breath.  This is when people are travelling to a hospital for help.

Here is a helpful infographic that the BBC put together:  

A significant challenge with identifying, managing and treating this disease is that much is still unknown about how it is behaving.  The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initially chose to hide the existence and seriousness of the virus.  Now, they are overwhelmed with the difficulties this choice has made for their people as the number of cases increase exponentially.  

Information coming out of China is still being hampered and the government has said, 'No thanks' to outside help.  As the disease has now spread to 28 other countries (with five deaths outside China), it is under the watchful eye of the World Health Organisation (WHO).    

Considering the degree of readiness some developed countries enjoy it can be easy to forget other nations are not just ill-prepared but extremely vulnerable.   My hope is that the CCP will relent their grip on the facts and allow other medical research professionals to come to their aid before poorer countries are devastated.

Typical Onset Behaviour Timeline - COVID-19

[To view the chart clearly, just click on it.]

What is understood at this point about the typical behaviour of coming down with COVID-19 would suggest that a person may be contagious for up to 14 days before experiencing symptoms.

The symptoms may, initially, seem like the typical flu, where there is achiness (myalgia) and/ or fatigue.  A fever develops and increases.  There may be diarrhoea and/or difficulty breathing. 

UPDATE on 24 February 2020

It has been discovered that individuals who are infectious are MOST contagious at days three to five days after being infected.  This is a time when symptoms are not significant and the individual feels safe to mingle with others.