COVID-19 is a coronavirus which causes a lower respiratory tract infection. This means that most of the symptoms are felt in the chest and lungs. Whilst 80 per cent of infections are mild, 20% can be moderate to severe, requiring hospitalization as there is a risk of death. Upper respiratory symptoms seem to be mostly absent, although runny nose and sneezing have been reported in COVID19 cases.
Early symptoms include:
- Fever
- Dry Cough (the cough can later turn productive or blood may be expectorated)
- Fatigue
The virus can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, septic shock, and death. Such severe symptoms may manifest as :
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Ongoing chest pain or pressure
- New confusion
- Can’t wake up
- Bluish lips or face
Other symptoms may include
- Bone or joint pain
- Sore-throat
- Headache
- Chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Swollen eyes
www.health.gov.au is a government website which is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, which offers daily updates with news, facts, figures, travel advice, key contact and phone numbers.