COVID 19 Presentation

The clinical course for COVID 19 is highly unpredictable.  Almost 81 percent of patients will have a mild disease and will recover without any complications or them even knowing they ever had the virus. 

However in some cases the disease can have a different and slightly worse presentation. About 2 to 11 days after exposure, average on the 5th day, flu like symptoms start with fever , headache, dry cough, muscle aches, nausea and abdominal pain. Mild diarrhea can happen too , along with fatigue and loss of smell. If disease progresses, then on Day 5 of disease, there will be shortness of breath and difficulty breathing due to pneumonia developing from dage to the lung Parenchyma/lung tissue. On Day 10th , in case of severe cases, there could be acute ARDS and multiorgan damage. This can happen in the matter of hours.

Once again , we need to remember, almost 81 percent of all COVID 19 are mild symptoms, about 15 percent require hospitalization and 5 percent are critical.

Critical situation with COVID 19  usually occurs in elderly population and people with underlying chronic health conditions. 

Author

Rubina Azam MD Dr Rubina Azam is American Board Certified in Pediatrics and Adolescent medicine. She is also Fellowship trained and Board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine. Dr Azam has almost 19 years of clinical experience and is loved and respected tremendously by her patients.