What are the Coronavirus symptoms and how to check for them at home

Advertisement
What are the Coronavirus symptoms and how to check for them at home
CDC
  • The most common symptoms of Coronavirus are fever, dry cough, tiredness and shortness of breath.
  • There have been reports that loss of taste and smell is also a symptom of Coronavirus.
Advertisement
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading rapidly across the country and there have been over 2,100 confirmed cases of the deadly disease in the country so far. India is currently under a 21-day nationwide lockdown to control the spread of Coronavirus.

The test for Coronavirus takes some time and not everyone who has fever will be tested. Only those people with a history of international travel or those who have come in contact with a Coronavirus patient and are exhibiting any of the symptoms of the disease, are being tested.

What is COVID-19?

While the disease is commonly known as Coronavirus, it has actually been officially named as COVID-19 and is a part of the Coronavirus family. The Coronavirus causes respiratory infections that can range from common cold to more serious diseases.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new form of Coronavirus and was first reported in Wuhan City in China. Like other Coronaviruses, it has transferred to humans from animals.

How long does it take to show symptoms of Coronavirus?

Advertisement

As per the World Health Organisation, it usually takes 2-5 days to show symptoms. However, some people may show symptoms much later than this. The WHO has said that the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.

What are the Coronavirus symptoms?

The main symptoms of Coronavirus are –

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath
The most common symptom that has been reported by Coronavirus patients is fever, followed by dry cough and tiredness.

Apart from this, there have been reports that loss of smell and taste are also symptoms of Coronavirus. Reportedly, there have been some people who had only this symptom and later tested positive for Coronavirus.

How to check for Coronavirus symptoms at home

Advertisement
Look for a fever

If your temperature is high, and you feel warm when you touch your chest or back, it could mean that you have a fever. If your temperature has crossed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius), it means you have a fever.

Dry cough

A fever is usually followed by dry cough, which can lead to breathing problems. If you have a cough that you can feel in your chest, you’re not coughing anything out and your bronchial tubes are inflamed or irritated, it means that you have a dry cough.

Difficulty breathing

This is a very serious symptom of Coronavirus and it occurs on its own without a cough. If your chest becomes tight or if you begin to feel that you can breathe deeply enough to get a good breath, it’s a sign that you may have Coronavirus.

Assessment tools you can use after knowing your symptoms

Advertisement
There are some assessment tools and symptom checkers that can help you check whether you have Coronavirus once you have identified your symptoms.

Aarogya Setu

The Aarogya Setu is an app by the government of India and helps users identify their risk level for Coronavirus. It also has an assessment tool allowing users to enter their symptoms, existing conditions and travel history to find out their risk for Coronavirus.

Reliance Jio Symptom Checker

You can also install the MyJio app and use the symptom checker to find out the risk of Coronavirus. It will ask you about any existing health conditions that you may have, international travel history and your symptoms.

See also:

Indian government launches app to track Coronavirus patients called Aarogya Setu
Indian Prime Narendra Modi urges people to light candles, torches, and mobile flashlights on April 5 at 9 pm⁠— as a symbol of a unified fight against novel coronavirus

{{}}