Coronavirus will ‘thrive in winter’ says doctor
It would be premature to announce the end of a pandemic that has disrupted our lives this past year but there are optimistic signs in the air. The main cause of optimism is the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine that has already been deployed in the UK. Our advanced understanding of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 should also provide succour.
Researchers are now analysing the vast volume of health data that has been generated throughout the pandemic to provide a clearer picture of the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) sought to characterise the symptoms of COVID-19 in a population in Iceland.
The study consisted of all individuals who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) between 17 March and 30 April 2020.
RT-PCR is a lengthy laboratory assessment that is regarded as the gold-standard diagnosis.
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Cases were identified by three testing strategies: targeted testing guided by clinical suspicion, open invitation population screening based on self referral, and random population screening.
All identified cases were enrolled in a telehealth monitoring service, and symptoms were systematically monitored from diagnosis to recovery.
Among 1564 people positive for SARS-CoV-2, the most common presenting symptoms were myalgia.
Myalgia generally describes muscle aches and pain, which can involve ligaments, tendons and fascia, the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones and organs.
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Myalgia (55 percent) was followed by headache (51 percent), and non-productive cough (49 percent).
Fever and dyspnoea (breathing difficulty) were less common than previously reported.
Despite its prevalence in this study, the NHS does not list myalgia as one of the main symptoms of COVID-19.
According to the health body, the main warning signs are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
“Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms,” says the health body.
How to respond
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus, you should get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.
A support bubble is where someone who lives alone (or just with their children) can meet people from one other household.
Can I treat my symptoms?
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19), but you can often ease the symptoms at home until you recover.
According to the NHS, if you have a high temperature, it can help to:
- Get lots of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
It adds: “If you have a cough, it’s best to avoid lying on your back. Lie on your side or sit upright instead.”
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