Named for the year it was first discovered, the strain of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19 has ravaged the US, with over 30 million cases, and more than 550,000 deaths. However, it also means nearly 23 million people have survived, which makes recovering not only possible, but common. This is because 80% of cases are mild, which makes recovery easier. It is still quite dangerous and can spread quickly, but with some knowledge about how to take care of yourself, getting through COVID-19 is possible.
Patients in Panama City, Florida, who show COVID-19 symptoms have somewhere to go for testing. Dr. Roman Nation of Nation’s Best Family Health Care offers comprehensive family care, including regular COVID-19 screenings
What does COVID-19 do to the body?
COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that includes the common cold, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Although respiratory illnesses mainly affect the lungs, this form of coronavirus can affect organs throughout the body. In the year since the virus hit, health care workers have observed impact on the heart, kidneys, skin, and brain. This means symptoms can have a wide range, including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Pink eye
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms may also vary in severity depending on how bad the infection is or whether or not you are in the high-risk category. This means if you already have underlying, long-term conditions like cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Down Syndrome, heart conditions, have a weakened immune system, or diabetes you are more likely to have severe illness from COVID-19.
What should you do after getting the infection?
If you have the infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines clearly indicate how to manage the illness. Since most cases are mild, staying at home is recommended. You should also avoid any public gatherings, public transportation, and leave only if you need medical care. Drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain as necessary, and get plenty of rest.
If you are around other people at home, wear a mask over your nose and mouth to prevent infecting others, cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands frequently. Immediately seek medical care if you start to have trouble breathing, persistent chest pains, find it difficult to stay awake, experience confusion, or experience paleness or discoloration (gray or blue) in your skin, nail beds, or lips.
Since many people don’t show symptoms, getting tested is vital to confirm COVID-19, which Nation’s Best Family Health Care provides.
How long does it take to recover?
How well you recover from COVID-19 will depend on whether your case is mild or severe, or whether or not you have other conditions that may complicate dealing with the virus. Mild cases can recover in just a couple of weeks, but more severe infections may last for more than six weeks, with possible hospitalization.
Some patients will continue to experience symptoms weeks or months after the initial infection, and lingering symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, joint pain, chest pain, depression, brain fog, and heart palpitations. The CDC is still trying to understand the long-term repercussions this new virus has on those infected.
If you are one of the unfortunate people who has been infected by COVID-19, it is scary and dangerous, but recovery is possible. Contact Dr. Nation and Nation’s Best Family Health Care today for help dealing with COVID-19.