News Flash

For Immediate Release

11/13/2020                        

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/covid-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Rowan County Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Join us Saturday, November 14th, 2020 from 10 AM - 2 PM for COVID-19 testing at Park Plaza in Spencer

Recognizing the Most Common Symptoms of COVID-19  

With the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to increase, the flu season right at your doorstep, and cold weather driving us soon inside, it is more important than ever to be able to recognize the difference between the coronavirus, the flu, and/or another type of illness. Below are some specific COVID-19 symptoms to look for and even more reasons why to continue to practice the 3Ws and to avoid the 3Cs in order to keep you and others round you safe.

What are the most common COVID-19 symptoms?  

Coronavirus symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with one or many of these symptoms in any combinations may have COVID-19:

• fever or chills
• dry coughs
• shortness of breath associated with respiratory illness
• muscle pain or body ache
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• nausea or vomiting

While typical of COVID-19, these all may be symptoms of some other illness, too. Call your primary care provider if you experience symptoms and believe you have been in close contact with a person known to have novel coronavirus.

What symptoms are likely to show up first to indicate COVID?

The earliest symptoms of COVID-19 will most likely be a fever, followed by a cough and muscle pain. Next, infected people will possibly experience nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Initial COVID-19 symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses; however patients with COVID-19 will most likely develop nausea and vomiting before diarrhea.  

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses and they have similar symptoms. It may be difficult to tell the difference based on symptoms alone, but there are two key differences, according to the CDC:

• Those infected with COVID-19 sometimes experience change in or loss of taste and smell, which is not a symptom of the flu.
• Research has also found that the flu usually begins with a cough, whereas COVID-19 most often starts with a fever.
• People infected with flu typically develop symptoms 1-4 days after infection. Those with COVID-19 typically develop symptoms 5 days after being infected. However, people infected with COVID-19 can show symptoms as early as 2 days or as late as 14 days after infection.

What are the most common COVID symptoms in children?

Fever and cough are the most common coronavirus symptoms in children, according to the CDC. The symptoms can look like other illnesses like colds, strep throat, or allergies. It is important to note, however, that children may also experience a  stomachache, poor appetite, or poor feeding, especially for babies under 1 year old. In some children, a fever may be the only symptom. 

Parents should especially watch for the following coronavirus symptoms in children:

• fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher)
• sore throat
• new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty in breathing
• diarrhea, vomiting or stomachache
• new severe headache, especially with fever

What are the long-term effects of COVID-19, even after a person recovers from the virus?

COVID-19 infection can cause inflammation and damage to the heart muscle and inflammation to the covering of the heart. According to the CDC, this heart damage can explain why some people have reported long-term symptoms like:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• heart palpitations

Those infected with COVID-19 can also experience lasting lung problems. Prolonged illness and persistent symptoms can occur even in young adults without chronic medical conditions, potentially leading to prolonged absence from work, school, and/or other activities. Researchers are still investigating what other short- and long-term health effects are associated with COVID-19.

###

Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - November 13, 2020 (PDF)