Covid : When Does COVID Get Worse?

For most people who get COVID, their symptoms go away within a few weeks of getting sick. But some, including those who got very sick and needed to be in the hospital, continue to have symptoms for longer. This condition is called post-COVID syndrome and can be mild or more serious. It’s essential to keep an eye on your symptoms and call if they worsen.

Fever

When you have COVID-19, your body’s immune system works hard to fight the virus. That’s why fever may be the first symptom you experience.

The type of fever you have can be different from other illnesses like the flu or strep throat and can last longer than usual. But if you get a fever that stays higher than 103 degrees F for more than two days, or if it comes on after taking Tylenol or other medicines to reduce it, call your doctor.

Your doctor may also want you to record your temperature twice a day or record it. That will help you know if you’re improving or worsening your symptoms.

Cough

Most people with COVID-19 experience mild respiratory or flu-like symptoms that don’t need special treatment, so they recover at home. But some patients get a complication called pneumonia that makes breathing hard and may need treatment in the hospital.

But some people’s symptoms continue beyond a few weeks after they’ve recovered from their illness, especially if they’re severely ill. Doctors say it’s essential to monitor your symptoms closely and call a doctor or Riverside Nurse as soon as you feel them getting worse or if they don’t go away.

Symptoms usually start about 2 to 14 days after someone comes into contact with the virus, but they don’t appear immediately. Some people have diarrhea or nausea one or two days before they develop symptoms, which could signify a more severe infection.

Nausea

Nausea is a common symptom that many things can trigger. It’s often accompanied by vomiting. Covid Medical conditions or covid medication side effects can also cause it. It can also signify GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), an irritation to your gastrointestinal tract that can cause you to burp more frequently than usual. It’s essential to get checked out by a doctor if you have nausea or vomiting that lasts more than 2 days or if you frequently vomit for more than a month. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you feel better.

Fatigue

People infected with COVID-19 sometimes get a complication called “post-COVID conditions,” which last for weeks, months, or years. This can include ongoing respiratory problems, chronic bronchitis, and other symptoms, such as fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest or go away with treatment.

Symptoms like these can make it hard to tell when your illness will improve. It’s essential to keep track of your symptoms. Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you think your symptoms are worsening or you’re not feeling well.

You might also need to take a fever-reducing medicine. But don’t use fever-reducing medicines for more than 24 hours without talking to your doctor first.

Chest pain

If you’re a healthy adult with mild COVID-19 symptoms, like a cough, fever, and headache, you can get better at home most of the time. However, contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or you experience other symptoms. Then, you’ll need to follow their instructions for treating your illness. They might recommend over-the-counter medicines that can help manage your symptoms.

Doctors can also prescribe a medication called tocilizumab that helps reduce inflammation. Which can shorten your recovery time and decrease the risk of serious complications. It’s a biological agent that is also FDA-approved to treat autoimmune illnesses.