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Scientists have discovered the order in which COVID-19 symptoms likely appear in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Systematizing this knowledge will help potentially infected people in assessing their health condition. This knowledge will also be useful for doctors, especially now – in autumn and winter, when, in addition to COVID-19, there will also be a flu season.
- Fever, cough, muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea – this is the order in which the first symptoms of COVID-19 are likely to appear
- These are important arrangements for potentially infected people as well as for doctors. At first glance, the symptoms of COVID-19 resemble the flu or a cold. Distinguishing these infections is important in view of the coming flu season
- For more up-to-date information on the coronavirus epidemic, visit the TvoiLokony home page
In what order do COVID-19 symptoms appear?
Researchers from the Covergent Science Institute in Cancer at the USC Michelson Center for Covergent Bioscience conducted a study that answers the question of in what order (probably) the first symptoms of COVID-19 appear. First, there is a fever, followed by a cough, muscle pain, and then nausea or vomiting. The last early symptom is diarrhea.
The study authors predicted the order of occurrence of symptoms based on an analysis of more than 55 confirmed cases of coronavirus in China. They also analyzed data covering almost 1100 cases reported from December 11, 2019 to January 29, 2020 by the China Group of Experts on Medical Treatment through the Chinese Health Commission.
The researchers also compared the order of COVID-19 symptoms with the order of symptoms in the case of flu. To this end, they analyzed data from 2470 cases in North America, Europe and Australia that were reported to health authorities between 1994 and 1998. The researchers’ research was published in the journal “Frontiers in Public Health”.
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What is the order of COVID-19 symptoms?
According to WHO, the three most characteristic symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection are: cough, high fever and shortness of breath. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added another six symptoms to this list: chills, repetitive tremors combined with chills, headache, sore throat, sudden loss of smell or taste.
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Determining the order in which symptoms of COVID-19 appear is important for those who suspect they may have become infected as well as for doctors. The former, by recognizing symptoms, will be able to find help faster or decide to self-isolate.
For doctors, the order of COVID-19 symptoms can help them diagnose the disease and plan treatment. The timing of symptoms is also very important when the flu and cold season begins.
People suspecting an infection will consult a doctor as soon as possible thanks to television. The remote form of contact is preferred during the COVID-19 pandemic because it enables contact with the selected specialist without going to the clinic. Seeking e-advice on cold and flu symptoms is the default course of action if there is no confirmation of contact with someone infected with the coronavirus.
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«Doctors can determine what steps must be taken to care for a patient. Thanks to this, they can prevent the deterioration of the patient’s condition »- explains Peter Kuhn, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering.
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“Given that there is now a better approach to treating COVID-19, identifying patients earlier could reduce hospitalization time,” added Joseph Larsen, lead author of the study, quoted by Medicalxpress.
Fever and cough are common symptoms associated with various respiratory diseases, including SARS and MERS, but the duration and severity of symptoms in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract differentiate COVID-19 from these.
An analysis of the researchers’ research has shown that with COVID-19, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting first appear, followed by diarrhea. Unlike SARS and MERS.
Larsen also added that the order of symptoms matters because knowing that each disease progresses differently means doctors can identify early on whether a patient is likely to contract the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or another pathogen, helping them to make better treatment decisions .
Therefore, in the current situation, the recommendations related to limiting the spread of the virus remain valid. The first line of defense against getting infected, but also transferring the infection to other people, is the use of personal protective equipment – disinfectants, masks or helmets.
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