COVID-19, which represents coronavirus, is a SARS-CoV-2 virus. Some people are infected but do not show any symptoms. Most people will have fewer symptoms and get better on their own.
But some will have serious problems, such as difficulty breathing. The likelihood of serious symptoms is higher if you are older or have other health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
Can you have the coronavirus without a fever?
Yes. Fever is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, but you can be infected with the corona virus and have a cough or other symptoms without a fever, or very low symptoms especially in the first few days. Remember that it is also possible to have the corona virus with little or no symptoms.
Can you have the corona virus without a cough?
Yes. Cough is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, but it is not always available. You can be infected with coronavirus and not have a cough. If you have one, it can be mild and unusual, or you may cough a lot sometimes. Keep in mind that it is possible to have COVID-19 with little or no symptoms.
People at higher risk of get covid-19 illness
People with poor health are at higher risk of COVID-19 being a serious illness. You are most at risk if:
- who over 70 years old with a medical condition
- who live in an aged care facility where spread can occur more easily
- who have a medical condition or compromised immunity.
- who are pregnant.
How COVID-19 spreads
The virus that causes COVID-19 is often transmitted to cells from the mouth or nose of an infected person while breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing or singing. These particles vary in size. Large and heavy particles fall quickly to the ground or to other surfaces within seconds or minutes. Small particles can remain in the air for minutes to hours.
Infection occurs in three main ways:
- Breathing in air that contains infectious particles
- Infectious particles land in the mouth, nose or eyes (for example, by coughing or sneezing)
- Touching the mouth, nose or eyes when your hands are infected with the virus, either by direct infection, or indirectly by touching infected areas.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new virus, and our understanding of how it spreads has changed over time. The spread of aerosol appears to be more important than previously thought.
Current evidence suggests that exposure to COVID-19 from surfaces is not uncommon, but it is still important to clean surfaces to reduce the risk. The length of time a virus can live on surfaces depends on many factors including temperature, humidity and UV or sun.
Symptoms of covid-19
The most common symptoms in COVID-19 patients are similar to the flu and it is likely that one or more of them will appear during the course of the disease. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those found in diseases such as the flu or the flu. You may have one or more of the following:
- Fever or chills
- A dry cough and shortness of breath
- Feeling very tired
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- A loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- loss or change in sense of smell or taste.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Symptoms usually occur two to five days after infection but can last up to 14 days. The virus can be passed on to others before they know they have it from up to two days before symptoms appear.
Statistics show that one in six COVID-19 patients will have difficulty breathing during their illness. Severe events may include shortness of breath, acute pneumonia, kidney failure and even death. Therefore, it is important to stay in regular medical care for your insurance and keep you informed about your condition until you recover.
Emergency Symptoms
Call a doctor or hospital immediately if you have any of these issues:
- Trouble breathing
- Constant pain or pressure in your chest
- Bluish lips or face
- Sudden confusion
- Having a hard time staying awake
If you have any of these, you need medical attention as soon as possible, so call your doctor’s office or hospital before you enter. This will help them prepare to treat you and protect medical staff and other people.
People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are at greater risk of infection. This includes people who live in group settings with other people and who share shared rooms (such as nursing homes or boarding houses).
Causes
The most common way to get COVID-19 is to inhale airborne droplets. When a person with COVID-19 breathes, coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets come out of the mouth and nose and into the air. You will not see these drops. If you are within 6 feet of that person, you can breathe through those drops.
You will never know what you did. But you can get the germs that cause COVID-19 in your body. COVID-19 can also be shared by touching the part that the infected person has touched. Some examples include door handles, elevator buttons and shopping carts. The germs can enter your body if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Sometimes the COVID-19 virus can spread when a person is exposed to very small droplets or aerosols that stay in the air for several minutes or hours called airborne infections. The virus can also spread if you touch the infected part and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted from an infected person but has no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic infection. The COVID-19 virus can also spread from person to person who is infected but has not yet developed symptoms. This is called a presymptomatic infection.
When these viruses occur in humans, the corona virus can be transmitted from one person to another through respiratory droplets. This is a professional name for moisturizing substances that move through the air when you breathe, cough, sneeze or talk.
SARS-CoV-2 can also aerosolize or be dissolved in a soft particle spray and moisture, and remain suspended in the air for minutes to an hour. However, the reduction of infection through close contact with people with SARS-CoV-2 and their respiratory drops is currently considered to be the most common.
Prevention
The best protection to prevent getting COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. You should also follow the same steps you can take to prevent getting other viruses, such as the flu or the flu.
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds especially before eating and preparing food, after leaving the bathroom, after wiping the nose, and after contact with someone who has the flu.
- Wear a multi-colored cloth mask that fits snugly on your face and covers your mouth, nose and chin.
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of the virus from your hands.
- Close mouth and nose with a cloth when sneezing and coughing or sneezing and coughing on your hand. Throw a towel in the trash. Wash your hands later. Never cough or sneeze on your hands!
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those with a cough, flu or illness. Stay home if you are sick.
- If you are likely to get sick or have poor immunity, stay away from large crowds. Follow the instructions of your health authority especially during an outbreak.
- Clean often used parts with an antiseptic.
- Use hand cleaners containing at least 60% alcohol if there is no soap and water.
- Greet people with a friendly gesture instead of shaking hands.
- Get enough sleep, eat well, drink plenty of fluids and exercise whenever you can. These steps will strengthen your immune system and enable you to fight infections easily.
Who is required to quarantine?
There are certain conditions that require a person to quarantine, including:
- return from international travel
- pending the results of the COVID-19 test
- if you are a close relative of someone who is the subject of COVID-19.
When you make a quarantine you must go directly to your home or home and stay there, except to seek medical treatment or in an emergency. More information is available about who should be quarantined and what to do if you are a close person.
If you are returning to Victoria from overseas, please visit the mandatory quarantine for travelers who have returned overseas for more specific information on what is required. Information is available about assistance in isolating or quarantining and supporting your mental health.
Diagnosis
COVID-19 can be identified similar to other conditions caused by a viral infection: using blood, saliva, or tissue samples. However, many experiments use cotton swabs to get samples from inside your nostrils. Locations that test it include;
- some government health departments
- commercial companies
- certain pharmacies
- clinics and hospitals
- emergency rooms
- community testing centers
Treatment
COVID-19 treatment varies depending on the severity of your symptoms. If you are not in the hospital or do not need extra oxygen, no special antiviral therapy or immunotherapy is recommended. Some people may also benefit from the introduction of monoclonal antibodies. Depending on the severity of your COVID infection, you may need:
1. Treat complications
COVID-19 can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes and digestive organs. It can also lead to other problems. Depending on the severity of the problem, additional treatments may be used in hospitalized patients, such as anticoagulants to prevent or treat blood clotting.
2. Reduce an overactive immune response
In patients with severe COVID-19, the body’s immune system can influence the threat of the virus, exacerbating the disease. This can lead to damage to organs and tissues of the body. Some treatments can help reduce this extreme immune response.
3. Ibuprofen
Earlier in the epidemic, there were concerns that NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve) might not be safe for people with COVID-19. However, the CDC now recommends using medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to reduce fever if you have COVID-19. And the WHO has stated that there is no evidence that ibuprofen has any adverse effects on people with COVID-19.
4. Medication
The best medication to use will depend on your:
- symptoms
- other health conditions
- any other medication you are taking
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help lower your temperature and treat pain and discomfort. Paracetamol is usually recommended as a first-line treatment for most people.
5. Wear a face mask
Experts recommend wearing face masks in public, especially in places where it is difficult to maintain a six-foot-long walk between you and someone else. Face masks protect you and the people around you. Fabric face masks are recommended because we now know people with COVID-19 may have little or no symptoms, while continuing to spread the virus to others.