Health & Life

How to Seek Medical Care if You Have Covid-19 Symptoms of Fever, Cough, and Difficulty Breathing

The Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, emphasizing the importance of recognizing key health symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. This article gives helpful guidance on responding to these symptoms during this global crisis.

Administrator

14 August, 2023

272

1. Symptoms, signs of identifying Covid-19 infection

Symptom 1: Fatigue

Feeling tired may indicate that your body is signaling a new virus-induced pneumonia.

Symptom 2: Dry cough, sore throat

Dry cough, even with thick mucus and foam, is a typical and severe symptom of COVID-19. It does not improve with regular cough medicine.

Symptom 3: Fever

Not all COVID-19 cases have a fever, but it is considered a sign for screening suspected cases. The degree of fever may vary.

It is recommended to regularly check body temperature at home if there are signs of fever.

There are also less common symptoms such as loss of taste or smell, stuffy nose, conjunctivitis (red eyes), sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, various types of skin rashes, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, chills, or dizziness.

The serious symptoms of COVID-19 include difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, feeling anxious, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and fever above 38°C.

2. Development time of symptoms

The average time from contact with COVID-19 to the onset of symptoms is 5-6 days, but it can be as long as 1-14 days.

Therefore, people who have been in contact with the virus should stay at home and away from others for 14 days to prevent the spread of the disease.

3. What to do when there are signs of Covid-19 infection

Self-isolate: If there are signs of suspected Covid-19 infection, isolate yourself in a separate room or area in the house away from other people and monitor your health.

Call the hotline for advice: Contact the hotlines of the local health agency or the Ministry of Health (phone numbers 1900 3228 or 1900 9095) for guidance on testing and further actions.

Go to the health facility: If experiencing difficulty breathing or chest pain, go to a healthcare facility immediately. Call ahead to the facility or hotline for guidance and wear a medical mask during travel and healthcare procedures. Maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others and avoid touching surfaces with your hands.

Notes when engaging in activities: Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with your elbow, fabric, tissue, or paper towel. Dispose of used masks and tissues into a tightly sealed container or bag and tie the mouth tightly.

Wash hands regularly with soap or hand sanitizer: The Ministry of Health recommends washing hands regularly with soap after coughing, sneezing, and after disposing of masks and tissues.

Use personal items: Use personal items such as drinking cups and utensils after experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, and difficulty breathing to prevent cross-infection in the family.

Limit going to crowded places: Additionally, limit the use of public transport and avoid going to crowded places, workplaces, and schools.

Report health status: Individuals with symptoms of Covid-19 infection should inform employers, schools, and relevant authorities for timely guidance.

Source: Ministry of Health and World Health Organization

Above is an article instructing what to do when there are signs of fever, cough, and difficulty breathing during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important for individuals to be aware and respond promptly to signs of Covid-19 virus infection!