Covid is losing its main symptoms. They advised to treat the new ones in the same way as the flu

The symptoms of coronavirus began to resemble flu and ARVI. Increasingly, patients are experiencing sore throat and runny nose, and loss of smell and taste is becoming less common. New manifestations of Covid can be treated in the same way as cold symptoms. In the future, the disease may change its symptoms again, but it is impossible to predict it.

Coronavirus without symptoms

Asymptomatic patients are considered patients whose smears show SARS-CoV-2, but there are no other signs of the disease.

• Even in the first wave in the UK, according to statistics, 78% of virus carriers had no symptoms or a mild form of infection.
• According to statistics from doctors in Italy, 50-70% of people with coronavirus infection are without symptoms. Research was also conducted in the spring of 2020.
• According to Australian scientists, the disease occurs without symptoms in more than 80% of cases.
• In Russia, at the beginning of the epidemic, it was believed that asymptomatic patients could make up up to a quarter of those infected, in July 2020 they began to talk about 40-50%, and at the beginning of the second wave, doctors say: 25% of those infected have symptoms of the virus, that is, they are asymptomatic 75% of people. Thus, the new Russian data are already close to the results that were obtained in the UK in the first wave.

The difference in data arises because different countries (and at different times) test different numbers of people for coronavirus. The more people are tested, the more asymptomatic carriers and vectors are identified.

Also, the “discrepancy” in the numbers is due to the fact that in some countries asymptomatic carriers of the virus are included in the statistics of COVID cases, in others they are not. And sometimes the approach to the state of things changes, and accordingly, the graph of COVID cases may begin to go in one direction or another.

Also, in some countries, for example, in Kazakhstan, double statistics existed for a long time: those who were directly ill and those who were carriers but had no signs of the disease were counted separately. Control over the first group was stricter; for the second group, sanitary and epidemiological measures were weaker. But then a number of such countries nevertheless came to the conclusion that both people with symptoms and those without them should be counted equally.

Another question is that the former require serious treatment, the latter only require fixation (approach as for persons in contact with carriers of the virus) and take appropriate measures (self-isolation). And it is impossible to say unequivocally whether carriers with and without symptoms pose the same or different danger to others. After all, transmission of coronavirus infection is possible not only through coughing and sneezing, but also through small droplets released from the mouth and nose when talking and breathing. Moreover, if a person who is a carrier of the virus but has no symptoms is in a close, poorly ventilated room with another, the chance of becoming infected is always higher. Transmission of the virus by objects cannot be ruled out. Although scientists have a lot of controversy about this.

What percentage of asymptomatic coronavirus carriers in Belarus is currently unknown. And it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain this data, because if at the beginning of the epidemic PCR testing was carried out not only on people with symptoms, but also on all identified first-level contacts, then from mid-November 20, 1st-level contacts were subject to PCR testing sent only if respiratory signs are present. These signs are determined on the basis of an independent assessment of one’s condition, a survey of a doctor, and, if necessary, a measurement of the level of oxygen in the blood with a pulse meter (saturation), and an examination of the throat.

In Russia, by the way, the situation is similar. From the decree of the head of Rospotrebnadzor dated November 16, 2020, it follows that citizens who have been in contact with patients with coronavirus can now leave self-isolation after 14 days without undergoing a test for COVID-19.

True, data can also be obtained based on a study of a sample of individuals who have developed antibodies. But even here, not everything is clear. There is no exact data yet on how long they remain in the body.

For lovers of conspiracy theories

At the end of January 2021, the famous blogger Tyler Durden published an article Did China Steal Coronavirus From Canada And Weaponize It, which states that the 2019-nCoV coronavirus is a product of developments by Chinese virologists working on secret projects to create biological weapons. The author reports that in March 2021, particularly virulent viruses were stolen from the Canadian NML laboratory, which subsequently ended up in China. This laboratory, which had biosafety level 4, among other things, studied dangerous coronaviruses. Later, Dr. Xiangguo Qiu and her husband Dr. Keding Cheng, whom the author calls Chinese agents working for the government's secret biological warfare program, were fired. One of the research institutes participating in this program is located in Wuhan, China - the Wuhan Institute of Virology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This institution is located just 20 miles from the fish market, which became the epicenter of the spread of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus. The blogger claims that these viruses are included in the Chinese biological weapons program and are therefore being actively studied in several laboratories, the funding of which is increasing year by year. The outbreak of the new coronavirus in Wuhan could be associated with the creation of these weapons.

It is difficult to say how reliable such information is. The truth is that such a laboratory does exist in Wuhan. It was created after the SARS-CoV outbreak specifically to study the pathogens that cause SARS. Such objects, as a rule, have a high degree of biological protection, therefore it is difficult to allow a banal leak of hazardous biomaterial into the external environment. Similar theories occurred at the beginning of the 20th century during the Spanish flu epidemic. Then there were persistent rumors that the new influenza virus was launched by the German company Bayer in order to increase sales of its drugs.

Be that as it may, many virologists and epidemiologists say: the world needs to prepare for the emergence of new viruses that will provoke mass cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

What is the incubation period for coronavirus infection?

The incubation period for coronavirus infection in most cases is up to 10 days. The first wave was considered to be up to 14 days . In some isolated cases, the incubation period lasts about 20 days.

The highest chance of becoming infected is from a person who is a carrier of coronavirus, but until the disease is recognized - 1-2 days, as well as from a person who has been sick with COVID-19 for 1-4 days. 95% of patients thus fall within the range of two to six days. During the incubation period, SARS-CoV-2 does not manifest itself in any way.

Another difficulty is that if coronavirus is without symptoms, it is difficult to give an objective assessment of which day of illness is the first.

By the way, if we compare the incubation period of coronavirus infection and influenza, then the latter has a shorter incubation period. In the latter case, in most cases it lasts a day or two.

Bacteria, come out!

There is a risk of bacterial flora joining the virus. If a person at the time of infection with coronavirus, the conditionally pathogenic flora that was always present in him was at the upper limit of normal, then the values ​​​​will begin to creep up, and noticeably, says the otorhinolaryngologist. A purulent process may develop. This usually happens on days 4-5, notes Vladimir Zaitsev.

At home, it is advisable to have a thermometer to monitor temperature, a tonometer to monitor blood pressure, a supply of ascorbic acid, which will strengthen the immune system, and antiviral agents. You can also stock up on ginger and lemon to make tea with. If a person is sick, it is advisable that he has on hand in the refrigerator such berries as cranberries, lingonberries, black currants, that is, those that are rich in vitamin C. Naturally, consultation with a specialist is required.

There are contraindications, you should consult your doctor

More and less common symptoms

The most common symptoms with which the disease begins are respiratory (fever, cough, sore throat). At first, the disease is easy to confuse with the flu, sore throat, or acute respiratory infection.

Among the common symptoms is the loss of the ability to recognize smells (but it is important to understand that this is not an indicator, there are patients who have this symptom, but do not get sick with coronavirus, and there are people who have a moderate and severe form of the disease, but they have no taste differentiate).

If the disease progresses quickly, shortness of breath (feeling of lack of air, difficulty taking a deep breath), and chest pain are immediately added.

More rare are symptoms of a dermatological nature (rashes on the body, mucous membranes), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemoptysis, unbearable headache.

Also not the most common symptoms in patients with coronavirus, but related to its symptoms, are swollen veins, cyanosis of the skin, and surges in blood pressure.

Let us consider which of these symptoms appear first, how symptoms change from day to day, whether there are differences in the manifestation of symptoms in adults and children, what you need to remember if your sense of smell has disappeared.

Treatment

If you notice symptoms of coronavirus, you need to call a doctor at home, as an examination by a medical specialist is necessary. In most cases, mild disease can be treated without medication. Usually the doctor prescribes plenty of fluids and bed rest. If the body temperature exceeds 38 degrees, medications in the form of Paracetamol, Nimesil, and Ibuprofen are prescribed.

Antipyretic drugs can be taken for frequent headaches, fever, abnormal heart rhythm, and chest pain.

Medicines that will help eliminate the symptoms of the virus:

• Miramistin and Chlorhexidine are good for gargling;
• take Ambroxol for cough, inhalation with an alkaline solution;
• Naphthyzin, Galazolin, Otrivin will help remove nasal congestion.

Doctors recommend that sick people eat natural, healthy foods. The diet should contain proteins, fresh vegetables, fruits, fermented milk and dairy products, cinnamon, and fish. You should drink large quantities of plain and mineral water, tea with the addition of medicinal herbs, and compotes.

What is the first symptom of coronavirus?

Various symptoms can be the first to make themselves felt. But, as a rule, these are respiratory manifestations.

• Fever. In some patients the temperature is immediately above 38 °C, in some patients it is low-grade: 37.1 – 37.3 °C.
• A sore throat. Moreover, as a rule, the back wall of the throat hurts more. At the same time, there is an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Dry cough. A person cannot “clear his throat.” His sputum does not come out.
• Fatigue. Malaise even after minimal physical exertion.
• A slight runny nose (at first it was believed that if you have a runny nose, then it’s not Covid), but later it turned out that everything was very ambiguous. A runny nose during COVID makes itself known less often than a dry cough, but its presence or, on the contrary, absence, cannot be a signal for an accurate diagnosis.

Among the first symptoms of coronavirus is anosmia – loss of smell. At the same time, like respiratory symptoms, loss of smell or taste cannot be called a direct “indicator” of COVID-19. The same symptoms are characteristic of neurological patients (for example, this symptom is common in those suffering from Alzheimer's disease). And in some cases, this is not a sign of pathology at all, but a sign of aging (more often in men). True, if before 2020 they did not pay much attention to it, then with the mass circulation of information that this is a symptom of coronavirus, many began to focus on it. Also, people who have suffered head injuries or nasal polyps often experience loss of smell.

However, some patients are only concerned about loss of smell and fatigue. This audience is classified as patients with mild symptoms of coronavirus.

Fourth day of illness

Afterwards, the infection begins to descend deeper and enters the respiratory tract. The speed of development of symptoms is explained by the fact that with a virus everything proceeds at a faster pace than with bacterial inflammation. “The temperature can rise rapidly, the mechanisms become stronger, everything happens faster,” says the ENT specialist.

There is also such a symptom as hoarseness of voice. “Since the mucus flows along the back wall, the person swallows it all, at night he does not control this process, everything ends up in the larynx, hoarseness is noted, he becomes rougher. It also happens that a person basically becomes uncomfortable talking all day. By day 3-4, the temperature is already very high, and a dry, painful cough develops,” says the otolaryngologist.

Coronavirus symptoms without fever

Without fever, coronavirus is more common in children than in adults. In this case, against the background of the absence of temperature, the patient can experience the entire symptomatic spectrum, as in a patient with fever. Starting from a sore throat, and up to coughing, severe muscle pain, severe weakness (weakness).

Moreover, if adults have symptoms of coronavirus without fever, two radically opposite “scenarios” are possible.

1. The disease occurs in a mild form.
2. The functioning of the immune system is disrupted. After all, it is important to understand that behind the rise in temperature lies the body’s mechanism for fighting the disease, working to prevent complications (for example, in the form of pneumonia).

Often, frail elderly people have no fever during COVID. Their hypothermia is often caused by regular use of drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases.

Among people who suffer from viral infections without fever, there are also many who suffer from thyroid pathologies. And the reason for this is either the improper functioning of the thyroid gland itself, or the use of drugs aimed at correcting its function.

Hypothermia is also often observed in allergy sufferers who regularly have to take antihistamines, and in people who have recently suffered any bacterial infections and have been treated with antibiotics for a long time. Moreover, these could be both infections of the respiratory tract and, for example, the genitourinary system.

Despite the fact that in weakened elderly people the disease can occur without high fever, they often have difficulty breathing, many have movement and speech disorders (in this case, the symptoms of COVID-19 are close in symptoms to a stroke, and in some carriers of SARS-CoV-2 This strain is a stroke provocateur).

What to do if you suspect coronavirus

If you have a high fever, cough or difficulty breathing, you should stay home and seek medical help immediately. This will help reduce the risk of complications of the disease if you do have coronavirus, or rule out coronavirus infection.

Call the emergency line (103), the single hotline (8-800-2000-112), the regional coronavirus hotline.

The medical worker needs to be informed about the places visited recently and the closest contacts.

Symptoms of coronavirus in children

About 20% of children who are carriers of SARS-CoV-2 do not notice this disease in themselves.

In most children, Covid occurs in a mild form, like a cold: the temperature rises, but is not critical, or the disease goes away without it at all, there is fatigue, a slight cough, and there are no pathological changes in the lungs.

But there are children who have a hard time with COVID-19. Most of them are among babies under one year old (more than 10%). Risk group and age 1-5 years (over 7% of children at this age require serious treatment). But among children and adolescents aged 6 - 16 years, severe disease is typical for 3 - 5%.

With moderate severity, there is lung damage (pneumonia), but there is no shortness of breath. In severe cases of the disease, in almost all cases the temperature is above 35%, problems with the lungs are serious (difficulty breathing, coughing is painful), the skin begins to turn blue. Many people have problems with the stomach and intestines. They make themselves known by diarrhea and vomiting.

Symptoms of coronavirus in infants

The most difficult thing is with symptoms in infants. After all, they cannot say what bothers them, what hurts. Some of the symptoms can easily be attributed to teething, intestinal colic: increased tearfulness, anxiety, problems falling asleep.

At the same time, for example, the same intensity of intestinal colic is a characteristic sign of coronavirus in infancy.

Respiratory manifestations most often boil down to redness of the throat, nasal congestion, coughing, while most infants do not have breathing problems.

In a number of infants, especially if the disease has severe colic, severe fever and repeated vomiting.

Symptoms of coronavirus in preschoolers and schoolchildren

In children of preschool and school age, symptoms are often vague. Many symptoms, at first glance, look like a “typical cold.” But the coronavirus may be hiding behind it. Therefore, children who have even the first signs of a “cold” – a sore throat, runny nose – are advised not to go to school or kindergarten.

Observations also show two trends:

1. Among schoolchildren, the highest transmission of the virus is from asymptomatic carriers.
2. The spread of the pathogen among children in middle and high school is higher than among children in kindergarten and primary school.

What are the characteristics of the pathogen and how does it differ from other ARVI viruses?

Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) cause more than 80% of all acute respiratory diseases. Viruses are not bacteria, and antibiotics do not help against them. Most often, ARVIs are caused by rhinoviruses (more than 50 varieties), influenza viruses (at least four subtypes), parainfluenza viruses (four varieties), metapneumoviruses, bocaviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, adenoviruses and some others. The usual four types of coronaviruses are also on this list (229E, OC43, NL43, HKU1) and, depending on the year, occupy second to fifth place in terms of their share in the total incidence. They usually cause mild to moderate respiratory disease, but sometimes severe cases occur.

Like most viral pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections, coronaviruses are RNA viruses, but they have the largest genome in size - about 29 thousand nucleotides. They contain a lipid shell, so they are easily destroyed by soap and other surfactants. Coronaviruses have been identified in almost all animals and birds, but not all of them cause serious illness. Live coronavirus vaccines have been developed for dogs and domestic chickens because their variants cause severe chronic infection and high viral mortality.

The four types of coronaviruses already existing and circulating among people appear to have originated from animal coronaviruses, since they have high genome similarity with these viruses. But this happened a long time ago, and scientists did not pay much attention to them, simply underestimating them against the background of outbreaks and epidemics caused by influenza viruses. However, over the past two decades, we have witnessed the “jump” to people of three new varieties of coronaviruses, and all of them have predecessors in the form of coronaviruses from different species of bats.

Bats have become a source of several viral diseases for humans, including coronavirus. But from them to us, viruses, as a rule, pass through an intermediate host

Photo: Getty Images

Bats have become a source of several viral diseases for humans, including coronavirus. But from them to us, viruses, as a rule, pass through an intermediate host

Photo: Getty Images

Let us note that over the past decade, virologists have obtained a lot of new data on viruses of a wide variety of animals. And now we know that bats, apparently, have become for humanity and for the animal world in general the sources of several very significant viral diseases: measles viruses, other paramyxoviruses, rabies virus, coronaviruses - and this list is growing. As a rule, these viruses do not jump directly to humans from bats, because their cellular receptors are too different. As the results of recent studies have shown, viruses, as a rule, pass from bats to humans through an intermediate host.

Covid on the skin

In addition to the characteristic symptoms, a number of SARS-CoV-2 carriers who have recovered from COVID also have dermatological symptoms. Most often these are red and purple bumps and redness on the skin.

• Visually, problem areas resemble areas after frostbite. As a rule, these are shapeless asymmetrical spots on the arms and legs. The formations may hurt and sometimes itch.
• Small blisters on the torso, arms and legs.
• Livedo is a red-blue network of vascular nature.

Dermatological problems can make themselves felt both at the first stage of the disease and when the disease has already developed. If we are talking only about redness and rashes, then they disappear within 2 weeks; if bumps have formed, then they can remain on the skin for several months.

In some COVID patients, the skin begins to peel off at the site of the bumps.

Spots are more typical for children, adolescents, young people, blisters - for middle-aged people, and livedo - for the elderly.

Dermatological manifestations of coronavirus infection are most often associated with overexpression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (peptide molecules), which are responsible for transmitting signals between cells. In fact, there is an “imbalance” in the body’s inflammatory response. But some rashes occur due to constant sweating at high temperatures. Infectious and allergic skin lesions are also possible.

Dental problems

Among the symptoms that were not paid attention to at first, but then noticed in a fairly wide number of patients with coronavirus, is exanthema, that is, a rash on the mucous membranes. Typically in the oral cavity.

Just by the presence of a rash in the mouth, one cannot judge that a patient has coronavirus. At the same time, if this sign is present, but there are no other symptoms, it cannot be ruled out that it is not Covid.

Although in many cases, classic enteroviral vesicular stomatitis may be behind the rash in the mouth. This is also an infectious disease, but it requires its own treatment.

A number of coronavirus patients develop ulcers and red bumps in their mouths, which can begin to bleed in spots.

How COVID-19 disease is transmitted at different ages: mortality statistics for 2021

Even at the beginning of the spread of the epidemic, it was known that children tolerate coronavirus infection much more easily than everyone else. Let's look at the current mortality statistics as a percentage.

Children

In children aged 0 to 9 years, the disease is mild. Mortality in this age group tends to 0%.

Teenagers

In the age group 10−19, the mortality rate is indicated as 0.2%, which means that for adolescents there is still a threat to life.

Adults

The average age of people infected with coronavirus in Russia is 47.9 years for women and 44.7 years for men. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova at a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation.

Mortality rates for adult age groups are as follows:

• 20−39 years old — 0.2%
• 40−49 years old — 0.4%
• 40−49 years old — 0.4%
• 50−59 years old — 1.3%

Elderly

The average age of the 20 patients with coronavirus who died in the infectious diseases hospital in Kommunarka (Moscow) is 68.1 years, said the chief physician of the medical institution, Denis Protsenko.

Mortality among the elderly:

• 60−69 years old — 3.6%
• 70−79 years old — 8%
• 80 years and older - 14.8%

Thromboembolism

Another common phenomenon that is important to consider when talking about symptoms is thromboembolism. It encounters many patients with moderate and severe forms of coronavirus.

Many people know about the serious consequences of thromboembolism. Not everything is about how she manifests herself.

Among the characteristic signs of thromboembolism:

• swelling of veins, often cervical
• blueness (cyanosis) of the face,
• drop in blood pressure.

However, again, these symptoms cannot be considered a direct signal of COVID-19. In addition to coronavirus, thromboembolism can be caused by injuries, varicose veins of the legs, the presence of a catheter, diseases associated with heart rhythm disturbances, malignant tumors, prolonged bed rest, and surgery with large blood loss. Also among the risk factors are old age, taking contraceptives and pregnancy.

In some patients, thromboembolism is not a symptom, but a complication. Most often, this again happens in older people and pregnant women. In addition, people with respiratory and heart failure are vulnerable, as well as those whose coronavirus has damaged the endothelium of blood vessels (a monolayer of vascular epithelial cells).

Tunnel consciousness, panic attacks

Among the signs of coronavirus in people with severe forms of the disease is tunnel consciousness. A person cannot concentrate on anything. He focuses only on the disease and the fears around it. He does not focus on recovery, “here and now,” but obsessively searches for the reason why he got sick, suicidal thoughts are possible.

Among the mental manifestations of coronavirus are panic attacks . Women suffer from panic attacks twice as often as men.

A panic attack is not just a feeling of anxiety, but pronounced fear, which is accompanied by a number of physically unpleasant sensations. Among them are increased sweating, trembling of fingers (tremor), nausea, upset stool, and chest pain.

The most informative evidence that this is a symptom of Covid or a classic panic attack is obtained by a test (smear), but there are also a number of other signs. The role is played by whether such signs are observed for the first time and how long the panic attack lasts. If this is a true panic attack, and not a symptom of COVID, then 15 minutes after the onset of the attack the person begins to “let go,” especially if you take deep breaths.

With COVID, this exercise most often does not help. After all, the reason is a lack of air, depression of respiratory function, and in this case only saturation of the lungs with oxygen helps to cope with the attack.

Headache

8% of COVID-19 patients have headaches. Their intensity is quite strong even if there is no high temperature at the same time.

As a rule, ordinary antispasmodics, painkillers such as nemisulide, analgin for pain arising from COVID do not help much.

With such pain there are no other typical signs for other pathologies (for example, dizziness, as with hypertension, vegetative-vascular dystonia). However, the nature of headaches with Covid is also of a vascular nature. The virus negatively affects vascular endothelial cells. There are problems with blood flow. The lumen of blood vessels narrows significantly. A headache in this case is a signal of a lack of oxygen. And if this deficiency is replenished, then the headache problem is solved.

By the way, when pathologists autopsy the bodies of those who died from coronavirus and micrograph the brain, sharply narrowed blood vessels and signs of inflammation are visible. The vessel becomes unable to properly supply the brain with blood.

And also, as practice shows, about 1% of headaches during a pandemic are completely false. Suspicious people experience headaches when reading news about coronavirus, hearing news that one of their friends has contracted coronavirus (even if there was no contact with him).

How to understand that you are sick

To confirm the diagnosis, methods are used that detect either viral RNA in samples (in saliva) or immunoglobulins (circulating in the blood) that are produced in response to the virus. But tests are not 100% accurate, so they can be done several times. Also, additional imaging methods (CT, X-ray of the lungs) help make an accurate diagnosis.

You can suspect an asymptomatic course in family members where there is at least one infected person and everyone else has close contact with him. But only tests can confirm this for sure if there were no symptoms.

Conjunctivitis with COVID

Some patients with COVID have pronounced conjunctivitis, while others do not have any traces of it.

Most often, signs of conjunctivitis are present in those individuals in whom the virus entered the body through the eyes. This is why not only masks are so useful, but also safety glasses and shields.

All types of conjunctivitis are visually similar. It is especially difficult to distinguish between different types of viral conjunctivitis (viral conjunctivitis - not necessarily caused by a strain of coronavirus). But viral conjunctivitis can be distinguished from bacterial conjunctivitis even without tests.

In the field of attention is what is separated from the eyes. If it is bacterial, it is dense, white, yellow, and if it is viral, it is watery.

It is also worth paying attention to the parotid lymph nodes. With viral conjunctivitis, the lymph nodes in most cases are painful when palpated.

Speech and movement disorders

Speech and movement disorders due to coronavirus can be observed in severe forms of the disease and direct entry of the virus into the brain.

The diagnosis in this case is COVID-19-associated necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy.

Her symptoms are similar to hemorrhagic encephalopathy caused by strains of the Coxsackie A virus and H1N1 influenza.

The frequency of words in speech changes, perseverations arise - repetitions of individual words and even phrases, some phrases begin to be “swallowed”, errors in cases and word order in a sentence begin, problems arise with muscle articulation (it becomes difficult for a person to repeat a simple tongue twister even at a slow pace. Coordination of movements is also impaired.

Coronavirus symptoms by day

If the disease has symptoms, then it proceeds through certain phases. And each phase is characterized by its own symptoms.

Days 1-4 – phase 1 . In this phase, the following signs most often manifest themselves: fever, muscle pain, sore throat, dry cough. If the body is amenable to treatment, then improvement may begin after the 1st phase. Either the person recovers, or for another week or a week and a half there is a sluggish cold - often without a high fever, but with a “stuffed” throat, a slight cough, and fatigue.

5-10 days – 2nd phase . If the body cannot cope with the disease, then on the 5-6th day a new phase begins, which is characterized by a lack of air and the development of pneumonia. If timely measures are taken, including providing the patient with oxygen support, respiratory failure can be overcome by the 10th day of illness. As a rule, oxygen support is prescribed when saturation changes and oxygen levels are below 94-90%. In hospitals in Belarus, oxygen is supplied into the nose through a cannula, as a rule, when the oxygen level is less than 93%.

The unpleasant thing is that on the 4th day, some patients begin to believe that they are getting better (the criterion is that the cough has become wet, not dry). But a wet cough does not always mean a healthy cough. In some cases, the appearance of sputum is the result of fluid accumulation in the alveoli, and this is precisely followed by a violation of oxygen metabolism. That is why temporary relief on the 5th day may be followed by deterioration, and the 2nd phase is then inevitable.

If the patient's water-electrolyte balance is disturbed, then on days 5-10 convulsions, spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, and insomnia may also appear.

Day 10-12 – phase 3 . On the 10-12th day, in most patients the temperature returns to normal, but muscle pain and a feeling of lack of air may remain. In this case, the respiratory function is restored in some patients, while in others shortness of breath remains the main companion.

Days 13-20 – phase 4 . In this phase, symptoms remain, as a rule, in patients with severe disease. At this moment, there is a high risk that complications from the heart, kidneys, or heart may occur.

On the part of the kidneys, this is, for example, a drop in diuresis (urine volume), inhibition of consciousness; on the part of the heart, inflammation of the heart muscle. If a patient has a weak liver or has chronic diseases of this organ, then the risks of their exacerbation are high.

It is important to understand that different patients may have different “scenarios” for the development of the disease. There are cases when a coronavirus infection is asymptomatic, but then, after a person has formed antibodies, pneumonia develops. This is not a typical option, but it also occurs.

The course of the disease can be relatively mild, moderate or severe.

• Light form . Symptoms last 4-14 days. Limited to phase 1 (see above). For a number of patients, a mild form of coronavirus ends with a complete recovery, while a number have difficulties with the respiratory system (there is still a cough), liver (ALT levels increase), and kidneys. But there is no exact data on whether the coronavirus or intensive care is to blame for most problems. After all, the same level of ALT can be increased by paracetamol, antibiotics, aspirin - drugs that are important for treating COVID-19 itself, relieving symptoms, stopping the development of the disease, and they cannot be canceled, this is a greater risk for the body. But after a person has had COVID-19, it is important to monitor these indicators and support the liver and kidneys. If there are no serious chronic diseases of these organs, the body recovers over time. For example, the liver is supported with drugs based on essential phospholipids.
• The disease is of moderate severity . The patient “goes through” 2 phases of disease development. It all starts close to the flu, then pneumonia develops, which usually develops in the alveoral space (directly in the alveoli there is an exchange between air and blood). Hypoxia with moderate severity of COVID-19 is not uncommon, especially if a large area of ​​the lungs is affected, but patients usually do not require mechanical ventilation. It is possible to increase the oxygen level by supplying oxygen into the nose using a cannula, through breathing exercises, and prone position (lying on the stomach).
• Severe form of COVID-19 . Affects all phases of disease development. At the first stage there is a pronounced fever. Possible loss of consciousness. Acute respiratory distress syndrome and extensive pneumonia develop rapidly. Moreover, not only in the alveoral space, but also in the interstitial space, i.e. between partitions. In this case, pulmonary edema increases very quickly. CT scan shows a ground glass pattern. Blood clots may form in the arteries. Also, it is with pneumonia in the interstitial space that a person is more often oxygen-dependent: the natural oxygen level is low, oxygen deficiency occurs. Such patients often require mechanical ventilation, very high doses of drugs that reduce blood clotting activity.

What's next

Most likely, humanity will cope with this pandemic. We in Russia must cope too. But our preparedness for subsequent similar epidemics must be increased, because they will inevitably happen. In the meantime, among all respiratory infections, we only have a vaccine against influenza. And this is the 21st century! We do not have vaccines against parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumoviruses, or other coronaviruses, which together cause more than a third of all respiratory infectious diseases, that is, certainly more than the influenza virus. And people die from them more than once. Including the fact that for some reason we do not see them as a threat, but see threats where they are not there at all or where they are much less significant. Maybe because viruses are small? But the damage from them is very great: these are the unsaved lives of thousands of Russian citizens.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

• If you have symptoms such as fever and dry cough, you should consult a doctor immediately.
• If the symptoms are atypical (for example, dermatological + loss of taste), but there is a suspicion that there has been contact with a carrier of the coronavirus, you should not delay visiting a doctor either.
• If you have difficulty breathing (severe shortness of breath), there is a feeling that there is no oxygen, you should immediately call an ambulance.
• The situation when a loss of smell occurred was not previously considered a reason to immediately go to the doctor, but in the current epidemic situation, with loss of smell (and especially at the same time with loss of taste), it is important to undergo laboratory diagnostics and exclude infection with coronavirus.
• If there are any manifestations of colds, a sore throat, or a runny nose, then in a pandemic, this is also a signal to see a doctor.

In a special risk group:

• Elderly people, the risk of complications is especially high in patients over 70 years of age.
• Persons with somatic diseases of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems: especially arterial hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation.
• Taking hormonal medications.
• Persons with chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis).
• Cancer patients.
• Persons with excess body weight and metabolic disorders.

Self-isolation

The mandatory nature of self-isolation can be considered from two aspects: legal and medical.

Legal aspect

From a legal point of view, self-isolation is mandatory for those who have returned from abroad, especially the epicenters of infection. Rospotrebnadzor ordered returnees to undergo strict quarantine for 14 days with daily monitoring of their health status.

Such people will be called by a doctor or visited by an internal affairs officer to check whether the self-isolation regime is being followed. Violation of this regime will result in an administrative fine.

In addition, violation of quarantine may result in criminal liability if the violation caused mass infection or created possible conditions for this. The punishment for such a violation is imprisonment for up to two years, restriction of freedom or forced labor, as well as a fine of 500 to 700 thousand rubles.

Medical aspect

From the point of view of the law, a self-isolation regime can also be established throughout the entire territory of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation or a city.

In this case, self-isolation is mandatory for certain categories of citizens (as it was first in Moscow - the self-isolation regime was established only for older people 65+ and people with chronic diseases) or for the entire population as a whole. Violation of regulations results in a fine.

For example, in Moscow, as of April 2021, the fine for violating self-isolation is 4 thousand rubles or 5 thousand rubles if the specified offense is committed repeatedly or using a vehicle.

From a medical point of view, the regime of self-isolation or quarantine, of course, is an unconditional benefit, as it isolates people from each other, especially the potentially infected and healthy, in particular the elderly and people at high risk.

How to influence COVID symptoms with breathing exercises?

Exercises that are aimed at optimizing air exchange in the alveoli of the lungs also help to reduce a number of symptoms (if the disease is not severe) or increase the speed of treatment in severe forms of the disease.

Exercises based on quick short breaths of air through the nose and passive exhalation give good results.

In addition to the fact that exercise saturates the body with oxygen, blood circulation improves and lymphatic drainage is put in order. Breathing exercises are also useful for combating inflammatory processes. The optimal option is about 30-40 breaths, 3-6 seconds of rest and cyclic repetition of the exercises 3-4 times. It is best to do exercises in a well-ventilated area on an empty stomach, or if you feel very weak, 1.5-2 hours after eating.

Hypertension is a contraindication for performing breathing exercises. Exercise can further raise your blood pressure.

Wear a mask - protect yourself from coronavirus

• Gently cover your nose and mouth with the mask and secure it to reduce the gap between your face and the mask.
• After touching a used mask, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• The mask should be changed to a new one every 2 hours.
• Do not reuse disposable masks. They should be thrown away after each use.
• You must wear a mask when in contact with people who have symptoms of an acute respiratory viral disease, as well as if you have similar symptoms.

The mask cannot be reused!

Using a mask will be most effective only in combination with careful hand hygiene.

Coronavirus prevention measures

• Wear masks, medical respirators, disposable gloves, and eye shields.
• Wash your hands regularly and treat them with antiseptics that contain 70% alcohol. Also treat handles, window sills, and tables with disinfectant solutions.
• Ventilate the room often.
• Maintain a sufficient level of humidity in the room (40-60%), use humidifiers if necessary.
• Rinse mucous membranes with saline solutions. They can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared from table sea salt.
• Take vitamins, including vitamin D and B vitamins.
• Do breathing exercises and strengthen your lungs. They will not help avoid infection, but will help the body avoid severe disease.

How to protect people at risk?

The main task is to isolate them from crowded places:

• If possible, send your loved ones to the dacha before the summer (there is a chance that with the arrival of warmer weather, the epidemic will subside, since the virus is unstable under the influence of ultraviolet radiation).
• Stock up on medications that your loved ones take regularly (for blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) to prevent them from going to the pharmacy.
• Arrange for food and other essentials to be delivered to your home.
• If you need to visit public places, call a taxi or use personal transport.
• If symptoms of illness appear, be sure to call an ambulance (103 from your mobile phone). In older people, viral diseases often pass without fever and in a more blurred form, so try to respond promptly to even mild symptoms of ARVI.

conclusions

• The most common symptoms of coronavirus are fever, weakness (weakness), dry cough, loss of smell; in complicated and severe forms of COVID there are serious difficulties with breathing.
• Both adults and children can get sick, with or without severe symptoms. But there are more asymptomatic patients among children than among adults.
• Much depends on how the virus entered the body. If through the eyes, inflammation of the eyeball is pronounced. If the virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, the first symptoms include a sore throat and cough.
• A number of patients have dermatological signs in addition to the characteristic respiratory signs.
• Loss of smell is a common, but not essential, symptom of coronavirus. At the same time, it is also not worth considering the loss of charm as the presence of coronavirus. Often this is a signal of other pathologies.
• To reduce symptoms, it is important to start timely treatment, monitor nutrition, and do breathing exercises.
• At increased risk are the elderly, people with impaired metabolism, blood clotting problems, and a weakened immune system. The course of the disease in them is more difficult, and the symptoms are more pronounced.
• If coromavirus is in a mild form, then there is no difficulty breathing, but if it is severe, this is one of the common difficulties in treating the disease.
• The most complex symptoms are in patients with respiratory distress syndrome. With it, the attack begins on healthy tissues of the body.

Follow sanitary and hygienic rules; if symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately, do not panic.

Vaccine development

Watch
Now about diagnosticums in Russia. Russia is perhaps the only one among developed countries that has not posted on the Internet the composition of its diagnostic drug, developed in . And the only country in which there are no longer any diagnostic tests for this infection. And they are needed, since there are many who want to be tested for the presence of the pathogen and, possibly, for a past infection at their own expense. There are also private companies interested in the development and production of such tests. It would probably be worthwhile for government agencies to stimulate them to do this by including the use of such tests in insurance medicine and using other methods. In addition, this would help create competition among tests and increase their level of reliability to the maximum possible in this situation. Leading commercial developers of PCR test systems in Russia have the same opinion.