Coronavirus: First Signs and Symptoms

These are the first signs of the corona virus

The corona virus was discovered back in the 1960s. However, it was not until the end of 2019 that a large wave of the disease occurred. The virus can affect everyone affected differently. Symptoms can also indicate a common cold or flu. Whether you have the coronavirus can only be determined with a laboratory test. So far, the patients have had the following symptoms:

• Fever and dry cough are the most common symptoms seen so far with the coronavirus
• breathing problems
• But a cold, body aches, lethargy, as well as a sore throat and headache can also be signs
• Those affected also suffered from vomiting and diarrhea
• According to experts, the loss of smell and taste also occurred in infected people. 

You must also note that the incubation period for the coronavirus is 14 days . Once you are infected, it usually takes up to fourteen days for symptoms of the disease to appear. During the incubation period, however, you can already infect other people with the corona virus. The symptoms can certainly point to other infections, such as the flu or a cold .

If you or your family members experience similar symptoms, you should call a doctor or the telephone numbers recommended by the Federal Office of Public Health and stay at home. Your doctor will advise you on how to proceed. In addition, it makes sense to inform the health department about the disease.

Dangerous for people with pre-existing conditions

The course of the corona virus is not equally dangerous for everyone. According to experts, however, people with previous illnesses , such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, and older people are particularly at risk. The consequences of the corona virus in particular can lead to death. The disease itself can be relatively mild, but the body does not produce any antibodies by then or if your immune system is too weak, pneumonia may occur. In the worst cases, the lungs can no longer work independently and the patient has to be ventilated. 

However, it has not yet been possible to reliably determine whether the coronavirus has a higher mortality rate than seasonal flu. Since many cases have not been discovered, it is not possible to determine with certainty whether the deaths that have already been registered are actually due to the coronavirus.

Scientists currently assume that children are less at risk from the virus than adults . While symptoms can be severe in adults, the disease is generally mild in children. However, whether this claim is actually true still needs to be checked, as it has so far been mainly based on assumptions. 

This is how you can protect yourself against the corona virus

Just like with any other virus, the same hygiene measures that protect against infection apply here . That means for you:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid contact with sick people. 
• Sneeze into the crook of your arm or into a handkerchief.
• Regularly disinfect door handles and objects made of metal as well as frequently used objects such as your smartphone.
• Maintain a minimum distance of one and a half meters from other people.