Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses that causes mild to severe illnesses varying from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China in December last year.
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The incubation period of the virus ranges from 1-12.5 days (median 5-6 days). In this period, the infected person may not show any symptoms. The virus is mainly transmitted through droplets sprayed by affected individuals, contact with patient respiratory secretions, contaminated surfaces and equipment.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early Stage signs and symptoms include: Fever above 38oC
combined with respiratory symptoms including:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Weakness
- Malaise
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Advanced Stage signs include all the earlier symptoms with
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
NOTE: Having the symptoms above does not mean you have coronavirus disease unless it is laboratory confirmed.
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References
Lauer, S. A., Grantz, K. H., Bi, Q., Jones, F. K., Zheng, Q., Meredith, H. R., … Lessler, J. (2020). The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application. Annals of Internal Medicine. doi: 10.7326/m20-0504
