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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has warned people to monitor themselves for fever, cough and shortness of breath. That list of warning signs has gotten longer.
Six more potential symptoms of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 have been added to the CDC’s list. They range from mild symptoms to severe illness, which can develop two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include:
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Those are in addition to the original three symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
This expanded list of warning signs is significant because most testing sites require a patient to show symptoms before they can be tested.
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The CDC stresses that this list is not all-inclusive, however, as there is still so much we don’t know about the coronavirus, in that it is novel. For example, there are reports of coronavirus patients in Italy exhibiting skin rashes, while some children and teens in Spain developed pseudo-frosbite lesions (called pernio, or chilblains) on their toes, which is being called “COVID toes.”
Some young COVID-19 patients that were otherwise healthy are suffering severe strokes, while others are developing blood clots even while on anticoagulants. Broadway actor Nick Corduro had to have a leg amputated due to clotting resulting from the virus.
The bottom line: Call your doctor or local health department if the above COVID-19 signs emerge, or you’re seeing any symptoms that are severe or causing concern.
Health officials emphasize that the “emergency warning signs” for COVID-19 include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent chest pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion or inability to arouse/wake after sleeping
- Bluish lips or face
You should always call 911 for any medical emergency.
If you’re not showing these emergency warning signs, you may be told to self-isolate and recover at home. The CDC notes that decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians.
And most infected people continue to be expected to experience mild illness and to be able to recover at home without medical care. While the death toll from the virus is staggering and even frightening, 869,935 people and counting have also recovered.
So if you feel sick, stay home, take care of yourself and avoid public transportation to prevent spreading the virus. Try to separate yourself as much as possible from the rest of your household, and stay in frequent touch with your doctor. For tips on how to self-quarantine, click here.
And find more information about caring for someone with COVID-19 here.
Read more: ‘He said it was the sickest he’s ever been in his life’: How to care for a coronavirus patient at home
As of Monday afternoon, the global COVID-19 case tally was approaching 3 million people, with at least 206,803 dead. The U.S. continues to have the highest case toll in the world, approaching 1 million people infected, as well as the highest death toll, with almost 55,000 having succumbed to the virus.
