Coronavirus: Signs, Symptoms, and Medical Tests | LabFinder

What You Need To Know: COVID-19 Symptoms, Spread, and Testing
Learn about the symptoms and signs of Coronavirus as well as about receiving medical tests for the viral infection. 

 

What are the first signs of COVID-19, AKA the novel coronavirus?
The novel coronavirus, AKA COVID-19, typically presents flu-like symptoms. However, each patient is unique and presents symptoms differently. 

 

When do symptoms start?
More and more data regarding coronavirus is in the process of being collected in order to determine which symptoms present initially. However, clinical observations thus far have determined that  fever and dry cough are typically the first signs.

 

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?
Coronavirus, or COVID19, presents with flu-like symptoms such as; Fever, Dry Cough, Shortness of Breath, Fatigue (general weakness), Chills, and Malaise (muscle weakness). 

 

What causes Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The exact cause of COVID-19 is still unknown, but there is intense speculation that the virus originated in Wuhan, China, at an open animal market. Bats are known to host an array of germs, which is the likely source of COVID-19. Human-to-Human contact is how COVID-19 is transmitted.

 

How to stop spreading Coronavirus?
The best way to prevent spread is to maintain social and physical distancing. Wash your hands properly, avoid touching your face, and sanitize commonly touched devices like your phone and door handles, etc.

 

How do viruses spread?
Every virus spread differently. Some spread between animals-to-humans, others spread human-to-human, like COVID-19. 

 

What is self-isolation?
Self-isolation, or social distancing, is the concept of avoiding large gatherings of people to prevent the spread of a virus.  

 

What is WFH, and why are companies doing it?
WFH means “work from home.” Companies are taking this action to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These policies have been adopted in the wake of the business shutdown mandated by public officials and President Trump’s issuing of a National Emergency.

 

What to do if you have symptoms?
If you have symptoms, the best response is to call your doctor, get tested for COVID-19, and otherwise remain at home to prevent transmission and additional spread. 

 

How can you tell the difference between having a cold or having COVID-19?
At present, there is no way to distinguish between the common cold and COVID-19 based on symptoms only. Testing is required. 

 

How do doctors test for Coronavirus?
Doctors conduct a nasal swab in the office and send the specimen away for laboratory testing. A Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) is the laboratory test used for testing the Influenza & Coronavirus virus family. However, COVID-19 is the newest and 7th known strain of the Coronavirus family. Testing has been limited, but it’s becoming more widely available each day at CDC approved laboratories.