Coronavirus Symptoms Beyond the Cough and Fever

Would you be able to tell a COVID-19 infection from a cold or the flu? The coronavirus has shown itself to be a formidable foe, creating a vast spectrum of disease that can affect people in some surprising ways. Often, COVID-19 is a lot more than a bad cough and fever but the news has been so overwhelming that many of us are still unaware of the myriad symptoms, making it difficult to know. It’s important to know all the possible symptoms, just in case.

Common Coronavirus Symptoms

According to the WHO, the coronavirus can affect people in several ways with many people only experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. The most common symptom is fever, seen in up to 99% of symptomatic COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC. Beyond the fever is the cough, affecting up to 82% of patients, and fatigue, striking up to 70% of patients.

These symptoms can develop anytime between 2 to 14 days after exposure. Many may also experience a sore throat, body aches and shortness of breath. Of course, please seek immediate medical attention if you or those around you experience any notable or unrelenting breathing difficulties. This isn't something to play around with.

Other Symptoms of Coronavirus

Fewer than 10% of COVID-19 sufferers experience headaches, confusion, nasal discharge, vomiting and diarrhea. But consider that 10% of what is now 1.5 million is still a lot of people. Some people notice gastrointestinal upset before the presence of a fever or cough, so it may be good to pay attention to what's happening there. A portion of patients may also have a delayed fever, which may not develop until after more severe symptoms begin to show.

And lest we forget: some people who contract COVID-19 may not have any symptoms at all. The jury’s still out over exactly what percentage of cases are asymptomatic, but it could be anywhere from 50% to as high as 78%. That’s good news for most of us, albeit a potential nightmare for people who are at high risk for complications with this disease.

Serious cases in seniors may also present differently. According to a CNN report, older adults may seem confused or “off,” and as a result, they may experience dizziness and falls. Appetite loss may also be an issue, as may lethargy, low blood pressure and fainting. And since these are the very people most at risk, it's important topay attention to early signs.

Strange Symptoms of COVID-19

Some COVID-19 sufferers have reported particularly strange symptoms. For example, about one-third have had issues with their eyes, particularly with conjunctivitis. This symptom is more common in people who develop severe illness. Tests on the eyes show the virus is present in the tears of some patients, which means secretions from the eyes may also be a means of disease transmission.

A sudden loss of the sense of smell and taste may affect a good portion of COVID-19 patients, and this symptom can occur even in mild and otherwise asymptomatic cases. This symptom is common enough that some doctors feel screening people for these symptoms alone could help catch more carriers before they have the chance to spread the virus. It’s important to note that many other viruses, including those responsible for the common cold, can affect the sense of smell, so appropriate testing is also necessary before jumping to conclusions.

Potentially Deadly Presentations in Coronavirus Cases

An estimated 14% of COVID-19 patients develop more severe forms of the disease, and about 5% of sufferers fall critically ill. This typically begins with difficulties breathing about 5 to 8 days after symptoms begin. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually presents 8 to 12 days into the illness. This appears to coincide with other potential complications.

An Issue called “cytokine storm” appears to be complicating many cases. The Lancet recently released an article with findings connecting the dangerously out-of-control inflammatory response to deadly COVID-19 consequences. For reasons still poorly understood, the coronavirus may cause some immune systems to go overboard, leading to inflammation severe enough to shut down vital organs. In this subset, drugs given to suppress the immune system could be life-saving.

Another fatal issue with COVID-19 is cardiovascular involvement. The virus can lead to weakened heart muscles, palpitations and even blood clots. According to a WebMD report, blood clots might be responsible for some patients’ dangerously low oxygen levels and organ damage. It’s theorized that this could be due to the virus and the body’s inflammatory response damaging the inner layers of the blood vessels. Treatment with blood thinners could make a difference if this is the case but research is still pending.

The coronavirus can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Making sure we’re aware of all the different manifestations may help us to catch things early and to head off severe complications by seeking help and taking steps to reduce the viral load. No matter what, it's important to be aware that we might miss something important if we’re just looking for a fever and cough.

Copyright 2020, Wellness.com