COVID-19 symptoms usually appear in this order

To predict the order of symptoms, the researchers analyzed the morbidity of more than 55,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in China collected by the World Health Organization (WHO). We also examined a dataset of about 1,100 cases collected by the Chinese Health Professional Group at COVID-19 between December and January and provided by the National Health Commission of China.

To compare the order of COVID-19 symptoms to influenza, researchers analyzed data from more than 2,000 COVID-19 cases in North America, Europe, and the Southern Hemisphere and contacted health authorities from 1994 to 1998. I reported.

“The order of symptoms is important,” said Joseph Larsen, the lead author of the study and candidate for USC Dornsife. “Knowing that each illness progresses differently means that doctors can more quickly identify if someone has COVID-19 or another illness.

According to research results, this is the order of symptoms that patients can experience:

1. heat
2. Cough and muscle aches
3. Nausea or vomiting
4. diarrhea

“This study found that it was common for patients with seasonal flu to develop a cough before fever.” Dr Robert GlatterAn emergency doctor, Lennox Hill Hospital in New York, told Healthline. “In fact, it can be difficult to identify because the flu suddenly begins with three symptoms: low back pain, chills, and a dry cough.”

The findings could be useful “when assessing multiple patients in a busy clinical setting,” Gratter said.

Studies show that influenza usually begins with a cough, but the first symptom of COVID-19 is fever.

“Our results support the idea that heat should be used to screen entry into a facility when the area begins to reopen after the spring 2020 outbreak,” the study authors say. I am writing.

Greater shared his experience treating patients with COVID-19 in New York City.

“Generally, fever is usually the most commonly described initial symptom of COVID-19 infection, but the reality I see on the front lines is more variable,” he said. .. “In fact, some patients may only show a loss of taste or smell, otherwise they may feel better. We also saw patients with “COVID toes” and bruise. livedo type [reddish-blue discoloration] Changes in skin reaction in response to acute inflammation in the absence of fever, cough, and other respiratory symptoms. ”

Greater said the other patients also “explained malaise, headaches, and dizziness,” in a way similar to the symptoms of stroke, but without evidence of fever, cough, or upper respiratory symptoms.

“We also saw chest pain-only patients with no respiratory symptoms,” he said. “The development of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after the onset of respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough may also suggest that a person has COVID-19.”

The bottom line, according to Glatter, is that health professionals need to be vigilant and open when assessing patients who may have disease-related symptoms. “They don’t always present “according to the book,” so when you think about who has or doesn’t have COVID-19, you have to cast a wide net,” he said. ..

“It’s very important to understand the progression of symptoms in people infected with COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the disease. In fact, we’ll quarantine and start effective contact tracking,” Glatter said. Says. “It is 2-3 times more contagious than influenza and is highly associated with viruses that cause outbreaks in the population.”

He also said that understanding the first symptoms not only helps patients call for tests more quickly, but also helps them physically or socially displace themselves after the first symptoms begin. It was. “It also underscores the importance of wearing a mask and hand hygiene in learning the symptoms,” said Glatter.

He also found that sudden loss of odors and tastes, and inflammatory skin reactions such as fluff, “may be important clinical clues that may distinguish COVID-19 from seasonal influenza.” Did.

Both COVID-19 and seasonal flu can occur, which could “raise morbidity and mortality this fall,” Glatter said. This fact makes rapid testing “more important than ever” and adds value to knowing the progress of each disease.

He also warned that there could be a “cold”, the convergence of the flu and COVID-19.

“Front-line healthcare providers predict that the flu season could get worse exponentially as these two viruses collide this fall,” Glatter said. “As we approach autumn, we need to continue to wear masks and practice social distance and hand hygiene. It’s a matter of life and death.”

Researchers analyze data from more than 50,000 patients with COVID-19 and compare their symptoms with previous records of people infected with influenza to discover that COVID-19 symptoms occur in a particular order Did.

This information helps distinguish between those who have COVID-19 and those who have the flu, and those who have COVID-19 can seek earlier care and self-isolation.

Experts with first-line experience emphasize that this progression is not always disease progression, but it is nevertheless a useful guide for health care providers. They also warn that the upcoming flu season may lead to the “flu” of influenza and COVID-19, with potentially catastrophic consequences.