If you aren't coughing, you don't have a cough, do you? You could still have the coronavirus, infections can have very variable symptoms.
COVID-19 FAQ #2Updated 6th AprilThe below comes from multiple sources as well as the direct experiences of myself and my colleagues.If you would like more information I highly recommend this free e-book written by two German physicians, it is available in multiple languages and is very up to date: https://covidreference.comIs it really as bad as they say?Yes. This is the most serious public health crisis of the last hundred years. By the time this is over many thousands will have died before their time. Do not underestimate the effect this will have on global societyThese are my symptoms, do I have COVID-19?Right now (assuming you live in an endemic country) any infective symptoms are COVID-19 until proven otherwise. Such symptoms may include any or all of:FeverCough (productive or dry)FatigueMuscle aches (particularly chest pain)Sore throatSwollen glandsLoss of sense of taste or smellDiarrhoeaThis is not an exhaustive list. Take home message: if youre not sure assume you have it and quarantine appropriately.When should I seek medical attention?Any breathing difficulties should be discussed with a doctor. This may be breathlessness at rest or on exertion, such as climbing the stairs. If youre struggling to do the things you normally do then seek assessment.You should have a low threshold for seeking assessment if you are at high risk of exposure, for example if youre a healthcare worker.I have no symptoms, should I stay at home?Yes.At this moment you must stay at home. You must only go to work if your job is essential for the running of the country or your local health service (although I accept not every country has introduced income support for those who have to stay at home.Dont see anyone socially unless you live together.If you do go out for work or supplies then stay at least 2m away from other people. Do not touch each other. Wash your hands religiously.What treatments are there?So far nothing.Either you get it and your recover, or you develop ARDS, in which case you will need to be admitted to ICU and ventilated.Chloroquine/hydroxychloroqine inhibits the ACE2 receptor in your cells, this is the path the virus takes you infect you. There is, to my knowledge, no published data at this time suggesting that it makes any difference.There are multiple trials into antiviral medications but again nothing has been published to my knowledge (please correct me if Im wrong).Am I high risk?The majority of people who get C-19 will have a mild disease. A minority will develop severe disease that requires ventilation and may lead to death.The biggest risk factor for developing severe C-19 is age. Below the age of 50 the disease is rarely severe. In children it is almost always mild. The groups most at risk are the over 70s and over 80s.As mentioned earlier there is some suggestion that higher viral exposure (such as experienced by healthcare workers) may lead to a more severe disease course.In terms of other medical problems some people should take extra precautions. Those receiving cancer treatment or taking immunosuppressants are at greater risk. Asthma seems to convey greater risk but mainly among those with more severe disease (such as those on biologic treatments, daily prednisone or those who have previously been admitted to intensive care).Men seem to be at higher risk of severe disease. We dont know why.Other conditions may have implications. If you are curious about your personal risk due to a comorbidity there is lots of useful information on patients charity websites, for example asthma UK.I have elderly relatives, what should I do?Everything you can do to facilitate them staying at home away from others. If you live with them avoid them as much as possible.Talk to them now about what they would want if they got COVID and got sick with it. Would they want an ventilator? Would they want ICU? Over here hospital inpatients arent being allowed visitors. Admission may mean dying alone, on an intensive care unit with no one allowed to see you. Its a hard discussion but better that everyone knows what everyone wants now.What is it?COVID-19 means coronavirus disease 19 (as it was first reported to the WHO on NYE in 2019). It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).Why is it spreading so fast?COVID-19 is very contagious. Current data suggests an R0 (that is the number of people an infected person will go onto infect) of 2.5-3. By comparison your average seasonal flu with have an R0 of about 1.3. To put this into perspective, if you start with 10 people infected with seasonal flu, over ten infection cycles youll end up with about 138 infected people. With COVID-19 over the same ten cycles youll end up with tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of infected people. Bear in mind this is not what is going to happen, only what could happen if the a disease was left to spread without effort to slow it. Public health measures to contain it can massively reduce the actual transmission rate.Can I find out if Ive had it already?Right now no. There is a test in development.What can I do to minimise my risk?Wash your hands. Regularly. Avoid large gatherings. Follow local rules and guidance. If you have symptoms then stay away from other people.To my knowledge there is no evidence that wearing a surgical mask in public will be of any benefit.Should I stop taking my medication?There have been media reports that people taking certain types of mediation, specifically ACE inhibitors/A2RBs (eg ramipril/losartan) or NSAIDs (eg ibuprofen) are at higher risk of catching or complications of COVID. To my knowledge there is no good data to support this. You should continue to take your medication as normal unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.Is tickle in throat same as a dry cough? Two days ago I woke up with chills, diarrhea and pounding headache. Headache is gone but now have tickle in throat that makes me want to cough. Could that be corona virus??