Coronavirus or a cold? You should look out for these signs

Identifying the coronavirus is often not easy because its symptoms are similar to other diseases. If you feel a scratchy throat, cough or sneeze, this could indicate Corona. You can find out what else to look out for here.

According to information from the website “Together against Corona” from the Federal Ministry of Health, the coronavirus is a disease that primarily affects the respiratory tract. Therefore, the symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, flu or cold. It is therefore important that you take such symptoms seriously and get tested – especially after contact with a person who tested positive for Corona.

Attention: 80 percent of those infected have no or only mild symptoms. Experts therefore assume a high number of unreported infections that are symptom-free. If you have had close contact with an infected person, we advise you to notify the health department. Even if you have no or mild symptoms, you should stay home.

Recognize coronavirus: which symptoms are typical?

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the incubation period for the coronavirus is up to 14 days from infection to the outbreak of the disease. The mean is five to six days. The RKI classifies the clinical symptoms as “unspecific”. Some patients have “typical” symptoms such as fever or cough, while others completely lack these symptoms. In general, most patients notice an infection with the coronavirus, as ÖkoTest reports based on RKI information, from the following symptoms:

• Coughing occurs in around 42 percent of those affected.
• Around 31 percent of the patients suffer from colds and around 26 percent from fever.
• Almost a fifth (19 percent) also report a changed or lost sense of smell or taste.
• According to the RKI, a good one percent of those infected with corona develop pneumononia (pneumonia), which in many cases requires hospitalization.
• The coronavirus is more difficult to detect in children. Most of the time the symptoms are mild and similar to normal cold. As the Federal Center for Health Education explains, many children even showed no symptoms at all in one study. An exception are infants and toddlers, who would become seriously ill more often. The so-called “Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome” (PIMS-TSS for short) can also rarely be found in infected children. Sick children then suffer from severe inflammatory reactions that require intensive medical treatment.

Recognize atypical signs of the coronavirus

In addition to the typical symptoms, there are other signs that can be used to recognize the coronavirus. Some sufferers complain of joint and muscle pain, tiredness, or fatigue headache.

Gastrointestinal complaints: Since the coronavirus can also settle in the gastrointestinal tract, some patients also suffer from corresponding complaints inside. As reported by the Pharmazeutische Zeitung, such symptoms mainly occur in older people. So if you suffer from loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting or nausea, it could be a corona infection. The RKI also lists gastrointestinal complaints in the official statistics. Scientists at the University of Ulm confirm these findings: Many (especially seriously ill) patients would develop symptoms such as diarrhea or nausea.

Cardiovascular symptoms: According to the RKI, some of those affected also experience cardiovascular symptoms. Cardiac arrhythmias, thromboses, cardiac insufficiency or myocarditis can occur, particularly if the course is severe.

Skin disorders: Corona infected people rarely notice skin diseases. According to the RKI, an estimated 0.2 to 1.2 percent of patients experience itchy rashes, hives, redness or Conjunctivitis.

Liver and kidney failure: As a result of an infection, your kidney or liver function can also be impaired. Acute kidney failure occurs especially in seriously ill people and requires immediate medical treatment, according to the RKI.

Inflammation of the mucous membrane and mouth: In Spain, a study also examined the symptomatic course of a SARS-Cov-2 infection. The researchers found that around twelve percent of those infected have an inflamed tongue or inflamed mucous membranes. So if you have a “corona tongue”, this could also be an indication of an infection with the virus.

Differentiating corona from other diseases

It’s difficult to tell the coronavirus based on symptoms of a cold or a flu to distinguish. The flu, in particular, sometimes causes similar symptoms. Generally speaking, according to ÖkoTest, the flu usually occurs suddenly. On the other hand, a cold or an infection with the coronavirus can start more insidiously and slowly worsen. However, some people have reported a sudden loss of smell and taste. Therefore, it is not possible to make general statements about the delimitation, nor does the overview of the corona symptoms replace a visit to the doctor. So if you notice flu-like symptoms in yourself, only a test offers certainty to detect the coronavirus.

Good to know: If you are unsure whether you have an “allergic attack” or are seriously ill with Corona, the following applies: An allergy is more likely to bring signs such as sneezing, itchy eyes and sore throats. Besides, you can hay fever and other allergies are usually treated effectively with home remedies or medication. However, if no remedy works and you also have a fever, this more likely indicates a viral infection (for example with the coronavirus).

Identifying coronavirus: what symptoms do vaccinated people experience?

Vaccinated people should also recognize symptoms of the coronavirus, as they can still become infected. However, they are usually milder and, as the RKI announces, have to go to hospital less often. However, people who have been vaccinated can also develop symptoms. Scientists in London took a closer look at these cases as part of a study. The researchers were able to observe the following symptoms in vaccinated infected people to the same extent or even to a greater extent:

• Sneezing was more common in the vaccinated group. It is unclear, however, whether the frequent sneezing is not exacerbated by existing allergies.
• As the researchers further observed, people who have been vaccinated suffer more from earache than those who have not been vaccinated.
• As a vaccinated person, you could also recognize an infection by shortness of breath and swollen lymph nodes.
• In addition to the symptoms mentioned, people who have been vaccinated may also have headaches, coughs or a runny nose if they are infected. Especially when it comes to coughing, it is mostly a dry, irritating cough without phlegm that has a barking, hoarse sound.

Recognize coronavirus: how long do the symptoms last?

If you only have mild symptoms, they will likely subside after a week or two. However, you are already contagious to others before the first signs of the disease appear. Therefore, in the event of suspicion after contact with an infected person, you should definitely stay at home, limit your direct contacts and adhere to the hygiene rules.

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