The most common symptoms of the virus are high fever (above 37.5°C) and a dry or wet cough. Some people may also experience aches, headaches, tightness or shortness of breath. These symptoms are suggestive of an acute respiratory infection.
Less frequently, sudden loss of smell and taste may also be a sign of illness. Skin symptoms such as frostbite or persistent painful redness have also been reported. Neurological symptoms such as severe confusion, loss of orientation or agitation have also been reported.
In more severe cases, the infection can cause "respiratory distress, acute kidney failure, and even multi-system failure that can lead to death," says the health ministry. Breathing difficulties can occur suddenly after a few days of illness, even though the initial symptoms were mild.
Coronavirus: Shortness of breath, a sign of worsening of the disease not to be neglected
As a reminder: the disease remains benign in 80% of cases; it is dangerous in about 15% of cases and critical in 5% of cases. Researchers estimate that the overall mortality rate of the virus is about 2 to 4%, with disparities between countries. This is a higher rate than that of the influenza virus that kills one person in a thousand (0.1%). Also, some patients present an asymptomatic form of the virus: they are carriers of the virus, without declaring symptoms, but they are contagious and can transmit it.
Less frequently, sudden loss of smell and taste may also be a sign of illness. Skin symptoms such as frostbite or persistent painful redness have also been reported. Neurological symptoms such as severe confusion, loss of orientation or agitation have also been reported.
In more severe cases, the infection can cause "respiratory distress, acute kidney failure, and even multi-system failure that can lead to death," says the health ministry. Breathing difficulties can occur suddenly after a few days of illness, even though the initial symptoms were mild.
Coronavirus: Shortness of breath, a sign of worsening of the disease not to be neglected
As a reminder: the disease remains benign in 80% of cases; it is dangerous in about 15% of cases and critical in 5% of cases. Researchers estimate that the overall mortality rate of the virus is about 2 to 4%, with disparities between countries. This is a higher rate than that of the influenza virus that kills one person in a thousand (0.1%). Also, some patients present an asymptomatic form of the virus: they are carriers of the virus, without declaring symptoms, but they are contagious and can transmit it.
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