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As detailed on the government website set up to inform about the coronavirus, the main symptoms of this infection are “fever or a feeling of fever, and signs of difficulty breathing such as coughing or shortness of breath“.
But while they seem quite similar to those of the flu, the symptoms of a Covid-19 infection can also be less specific.
In an analysis of 55 confirmed cases in China as of mid-February 924, the World Health Organization (WHO) detailed the signs of infection according to their frequency: fever (87.9%), dry cough (67.7%), fatigue (38.1%), sputum (33.4%), shortness of breath (18.6%), sore throat (13.9%), headache (13.6%), bone pain or joints (14.8%), chills (11.4%), nausea or vomiting (5.0%), nasal congestion (4.8%), diarrhea (3.7%), hemoptysis (or bloody cough 0.9%), and swollen eyes or conjunctivitis (0.8%) ).
The WHO then specified that patients positive for Covid-19 developed signs and symptoms approximately 5 to 6 days after infection, the incubation period varying between 1 to 14 days.
Loss of taste, smell… Are these symptoms of Covid-19?
Loss of taste and smell are often symptoms of Covid-19 disease. In an article, Le Monde explains: “Neglected since the outbreak of the disease, this clinical sign is now observed in many countries and could be explained by the capacity of the new coronavirus to infect the central nervous system of patients – especially areas of the brain processing olfactory information. “Still in the same article, Daniel Dunia, researcher (CNRS) at the Toulouse-Purpan Physiopathology Center (Inserm, CNRS, University of Toulouse), tempers:” It is possible that the coronavirus can infect the olfactory bulb or attack the neurons of smell, but care must be taken. Other viruses can have such effects, or cause neurological damage through the intense inflammation induced by the immune response. ” Studies are continuing to determine if loss of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia) may be symptoms of Coronavirus infection. Anyway, if they are isolated, are not accompanied by cough or fever, these symptoms are not sufficient to suggest an attack by the coronavirus.
Symptoms of the coronavirus # AFPpic.twitter.com / KYcBvLwGUS
– Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) March 14, 2020
What if I have symptoms that suggest Covid-19?
Fever, cough, shortness of breath … In the event of symptoms resembling those of a coronavirus infection, it is advisable to:
- stay at home;
- avoid contact;
- limit travel to what is strictly necessary;
- call a doctor or the hotline number in your region (available by simply searching the internet, indicating the regional health agency on which you depend) before going to a doctor’s office.
It may be possible to benefit from a teleconsultation and thus avoid the risk of infecting other people.
If symptoms worsen, with the appearance of breathing difficulties and signs of suffocation, it is then advisable tocall 15, which will decide how to proceed.
Note that in the event of current medical treatment, or that if one wishes to relieve his symptoms with medication, it is strongly not recommended to self-medicate. It is better to discuss it with your doctor before taking anything, and / or getting information on the dedicated site: https://www.covid19-medicaments.com.
In video: 4 golden rules to prevent winter viruses
# Coronavirus # Covid19 | What to do ?
1⃣In 85% of cases, the disease heals with rest
2⃣Stay at home and limit contact
3⃣Do not go directly to your doctor, contact him
4⃣OR contact the nursing staff
💻 https://t.co/lMMn8iogJB
📲 0 800 130 000 pic.twitter.com/9RS35gXXlr
– Ministry of Solidarity and Health (@MinSoliSante) March 14, 2020
In the event of symptoms suggesting infection with the Covid-19 coronavirus, care should be taken to limit contact with those around him as much as possible. Ideally, the best would be to s” isolate in a separate room and have their own sanitary facilities and bathroom, in order to avoid spreading the virus within the home. Failing that, we will make sure to wash our hands well, very regularly. Wearing a mask is obviously recommended, although it does not do everything, the distance of one meter between yourself and others is also to be respected. We will also ensure regularly disinfect affected surfaces (door handles in particular).
It should be remembered that in order to have reliable, safe, verified and regularly updated information, it is advisable to consult government sites, in particular government.fr/info-coronavirus, the sites of health institutions (Public Health France, Ameli.fr), and possibly scientific bodies (Inserm, Institut Pasteur, etc.).
sources: Ministère de la Santé, Pasteur Institute