What are the SYMPTOMS of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)? What happens on each day? How does it damage the lungs?
In this article
At first, you might think it is a cold, and it could be; however, there is also a possibility that you have novel coronavirus disease COVID-19.
Here is what you need to know about COVID-19
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVID-19 studies conducted in China, of the laboratory-confirmed cases as of 20 February 2020:
- 80% were mild or moderate,
- 14% were severe, and
- 6% were critical.
To be clear, mild COVID-19 is not like a mild cold. The symptoms will be serious. Any symptoms other than those requiring supplemental oxygen place you in this category (mild to moderate). Severe cases will need oxygen support, while critical cases are classified as those experiencing respiratory or multiple organ failure. The symptoms, treatments and timing of the disease vary according to the category the patient falls into.
Let us therefore explain how COVID-19 affects each category from day to day
The symptoms of COVID-19 appear within 2 to 14 days after initial exposure to the virus. They may resemble the symptoms of a cold or seasonal flu. Most patients (approximately 50%) initially develop a fever. According to observations by the World Health Organization–China Joint Mission, approximately 88% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 had a fever. In another study outside China, only 44% of patients presenting to hospitals had a fever, but 89% subsequently developed one.
In some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain were also observed a few days before respiratory symptoms.
Because COVID-19 causes respiratory disease, we cannot consider these symptoms typical. In most patients, the virus enters the lungs and multiplies there. During the first days of infection, it begins invading lung cells. In particular, it damages the projections with mobile, hair-like cilia that keep the airways clean. When cells become infected, they die, break apart and join the existing debris. This prevents the body from protecting the lungs and windpipe. Inflammation causes damage, and damage in turn causes further inflammation. This cycle seriously destroys healthy tissue. The inflammation may explain the most common symptom, a dry cough, as well as shortness of breath and sputum production.
Other symptoms that may develop during this period include fatigue, sore throat, headache or muscle and joint pain, and a runny nose.
From day 5 onwards, patients with additional health conditions may be seen to have difficulty breathing, and it can often take until day 7 for a patient to go to hospital.
Mild cases generally recover during this period, but moderate, severe and critical cases develop pneumonia at different levels of risk. Recovery in these patients may take several days or weeks.
In some severe and critical cases, the symptoms may indicate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
ARDS is a disease that develops when fluid accumulates in the lungs. Inflammation activates immune cells that target the infection. These cells are usually directed to infected areas. However, sometimes the immune system goes into overdrive, and this is when immune cells begin killing anything in their path, including healthy cells. ARDS can be fatal in 30-40% of cases and, in critical cases, may lead to respiratory failure requiring advanced life support. Patients in this condition will most likely be sent to intensive care units.
ARDS treatment requires oxygen support and mechanical ventilation (a ventilator) because the lungs cannot function adequately. The aim is to deliver more oxygen to the bloodstream.
When this treatment does not work, excessive fluid accumulates in the lungs as they try to obtain more oxygen. This is the cause of most COVID-19 deaths, and even if a patient survives this stage, they may have permanent lung damage.
SARS previously also caused lung damage and produced honeycomb-like appearances in some patients. These lesions have also been observed in people affected by the novel coronavirus.
In early studies, most deaths from this disease occurred within 14 to 19 days. The average time to recovery and discharge is two and a half weeks. However, discharge can take months in some very critical cases.
A patient who is recovering may still transmit the disease. These people should remain in contact with their doctors and public health specialists about whether they pose a risk.
As an effective vaccine has not yet been found, the most effective way to protect against the disease is to avoid catching it.
Most cases survive. So stay at home and do not panic.
COVID-19 can easily spread between people through coughing and sneezing. Therefore, wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who are ill. Clean and disinfect the areas you use daily.
COVIDKovid-19 should be taken seriously
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