COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is part of the larger family of viruses called Coronavirus. While coronaviruses can affect both animals and humans, human coronaviruses specifically are known to cause respiratory infections.
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Reported cases of COVID-19 show that symptoms may range from little-to-no symptoms to severe illness and death.3 Most symptoms are usually mild and may begin up to 14 days after exposure. ¹,³
Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
Other symptoms include:
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Hoarse voice
- Joint pain
- Loss of smell or taste
- Muscle aches
- Nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
- Persistent cough
This list is not all inclusive. Keep in mind that symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person, by age group, and depending on the COVID-19 variant. Please consult with your health care provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
However, some people may develop other more severe complications, such as pneumonia or respiratory failure. The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is higher for certain populations, including individuals who are not fully vaccinated, pregnant women, adults aged 60 and older (risk increasing by age), people who have underlying chronic medical conditions (including heart disease, diabetes, lung disease), people living with obesity with a BMI of 40 or higher, and people with weakened immune systems.
In some cases, COVID-19 infection can lead to long-term symptoms that last for weeks or months after their initial recovery. This is known as post-COVID-19 condition or long COVID. You can experience post-COVID-19 condition regardless of the severity of your infection, or whether or not you had symptoms while infected.
Post-COVID-19 condition can affect people differently depending on their age. It’s estimated that 30% to 40% of adults who were not hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms still experience symptoms 12 weeks after being infected. Symptoms that commonly affect adults include:
- Tiredness
- Memory problems
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety and depression
- General pain and discomfort
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms that commonly affect children include:
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and pains
- Joint pains
- Difficulty sleeping
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Post-COVID-19 condition can also impact your mental health. If you’re noticing changes in your mental health following a COVID-19 infection, such as symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD, speak with your health care provider.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/COVID-19-Overview-Symptoms-Diagnosis-and-Treatment
Coronavirus infections can be detected and diagnosed by several types of testing methods, including molecular testing and antigen testing and confirmed through a laboratory or point-of-care test. Testing can be done by taking a nasal swab, a throat swab, an oral fluid swab or a saliva sample.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/COVID-19-Overview-Symptoms-Diagnosis-and-Treatment
Most people with mild illness will recover without treatment. However, some over-the-counter medications may be used to help provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new over-the-counter products, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Many medications to treat COVID-19 are currently being developed and tested. Health Canada has approved several treatments for COVID-19, including remdesivir and bamlanivimab. Some treatments, such as nirmatrelvir and ritonavir together (i.e. PaxlovidTM), can be taken orally at home. The availability and eligibility criteria for COVID-19 treatments may vary between across provinces and territories.
Currently, there are several COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada, including the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna Spikevax® COVID-19 vaccine. There are other vaccines currently under review, and Health Canada continues to closely monitor the vaccines that have been approved.
It’s recommended to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to lower your risk of getting infected as well as to lower your risk of other outcomes from severe infection such as hospitalization. Your local public health authority may recommend additional COVID-19 vaccine doses (i.e. booster doses) to provide enhanced protection and to reduce the spread of the virus.
Since COVID-19 can spread from person to person, practising good hand hygiene is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself from being infected. Wear a face mask whenever possible, especially when you’re out in public settings. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands. You should try to minimize your chances of being exposed to the virus by avoiding contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, you should cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/COVID-19-Overview-Symptoms-Diagnosis-and-Treatment
