The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continually monitors patients with COVID-19 to learn as much as possible about the virus. Recently, the CDC added six new symptoms to the official list of COVID-19 symptoms, after they repeatedly showed up in patients. This new evidence suggests that health experts are learning more ways for physicians to identify the virus in infected patients.
According to the CDC, symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the novel coronavirus. The six new symptoms join the three primary symptoms, which include shortness of breath, cough, and fever. The new symptoms are:
- Chills
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle pains or aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Shaking with chills
It’s important to understand that these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions. That’s why the CDC details that all of these new symptoms need to be present to confirm that COVID-19 is the cause. Physicians further confirm this because they have been reporting patients with these new symptoms for weeks. The loss of taste or smell is an extremely common symptom. Researchers are hard at work with the goal of learning as much as possible about the short and long-term affects of COVID-19.
Mario Ramirez, the former acting director of the Office of Pandemics and Emerging Threats under President Barack Obama, instructed that these symptoms are confirmed by the growing number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in the United States. He also said that the news of these symptoms should help people identify if they need to be tested or not.
What Do You Do If You’re Experiencing Symptoms Of COVID-19?
First off, you should not go into the doctor’s office unless you have a combination of the published symptoms. You should also avoid a visit to the doctor if you feel well enough to remain at home. If you can stay at home, isolate yourself from others and attempt to set up a phone call with your doctor for any other medical advice. Most health care professionals are doing telemedicine appointments, so they can help monitor your symptoms and advise you on care methods.
Seek medical attention if you experience extreme shortness of breath, pressure in the chest, or difficulty breathing. If you call 911 with a medical emergency, inform the operator that you are calling because you suspect that COVID-19 is the cause of symptoms. This is beneficial for response teams because they will bring appropriate protective attire.
Always Take Precautions
At this point, you should not ignore the advised precautions from medical officials and health organizations. If you are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should still abide by the suggested precautionary measures. The reason for this is because about two-thirds of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, meaning an individual can pass on the virus without realizing it. Practice social distancing, limit the amount of person-to-person contact, wear a face mask in essential businesses, and stay at home as much as possible.
We understand that these are difficult times, but we can only get out of the woods if we work together. Follow health guidelines, disinfect high-touch surfaces, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face.
