COVID-19 Q&A: What are the symptoms? – Lansing State Journal

Jeannine Thelen, Sparrow hospitals first COVID-19 patient, talks about the disease after recovering on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at her home in Lansing. Thelen spent 55 days in the hospital and a month on a ventilator fighting the virus. Lansing State Journal

LANSING Rising infections in Ingham County and holiday travels havepeople monitoring themselves for COVID-19 symptoms to stay healthy.

But what are the symptoms of COVID-19?

LynnSutfin, public information officer at the state Department of Health and Human Services, said common symptoms of the diseaseare fever or chills, a worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, body aches, new loss the senseof taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

"Symptoms may appear in 2-14 days after exposure to the virus," she said.

The symptoms may be mild or severe and also vary from person to person.

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Dr. Linda Peterson, McLaren Greater Lansing chief medical officer, said the virus spreads easier than the flu, and could cause severe illnesses in individuals who are high-risk. High-risk individuals typically have multiple long-term health conditions or an autoimmune disease like lupus or cancer.

People wait in line at the COVID-19 testing site at Spartan Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, in East Lansing.(Photo: Nick King/Lansing State Journal)

"Influenza symptoms tend to come on suddenly," she said. "[People] with influenza can experiencefever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches or fatigue. Some may also experience vomiting or diarrhea, but this is more common in children."

Peterson said because the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are so similar, the only way to differentiate is by getting tested.

One key difference, though, is the loss of taste and smell experienced by many COVID-19 patients."It's a major red flag when people experience those symptoms and they should immediately think COVID-19," she said.

Flu symptoms appear in people who were infected with the flu virus within four days following exposure.

Bronchitis is an inflammation in bronchial tube linings, she said, and it can be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection, depending on a person's symptoms. It is spread like the new coronavirus, by droplets created in the air from sneezing or coughing. Bronchitis is usually self-treatable and diagnosed, with symptoms resolving in a matter of days to weeks.

"Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs' air sacs, where air exchanges occur, leading to air sacs filling up with fluid or pus," Peterson continued. "Pneumonia can be caused by viruses (such as the new coronavirus), bacteriaor fungi."

Tests and imaging scans are done to diagnose a person with pneumonia. Patientsmust be treated by a professional. Like COVID-19, pneumonia can cause severe complications for those with multiple long-term health conditions.

Sutfin added some patients can experience other complications following COVID-19, such asvenous and arterial thrombosis of heart vessels. Children may experience MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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How treatable are the symptoms?

The health officer advises people to seek medical attention immediately if they develop an "emergency warning sign," such as troubled breathing. Other symptoms can be managed through over-the-counter medicine, but patients should be advised by a health professional.

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"Take care of yourself.Get rest and stay hydrated," Sutfin said."Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better."

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 290-3044 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

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COVID-19 Q&A: What are the symptoms? - Lansing State Journal