Lung damage in the course of this disease often leads to acute hypoxic respiratory failure and may eventually lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Respiratory failure as a result of COVID-19 can develop very quickly and a small percent of those infected will die because of it.
COVID-19 can cause lung complications such as pneumonia and, in the most severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. Sepsis, another possible complication of COVID-19, can also cause lasting harm to the lungs and other organs.
We know that COVID is not just a respiratory illness. It causes a hyperinflammatory state which can cause clots to form anywhere in the body. The disease also affects blood vessels. These clots can affect any organ in the body, but when it affects the brain, it causes a stroke.
It can be easy to mistake symptoms of a cold, the flu, or bronchitis for COVID-19. This is especially tricky because the symptoms of COVID-19 can be mild. You won’t be able to tell if COVID-19 is causing your symptoms without a lab test for the virus. Your doctor can help you know if you need a test.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs).
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, most commonly affects the lungs but It can also lead to serious heart problems. Lung damage caused by the virus prevents oxygen from reaching the heart muscle, which in turn damages the heart tissue and prevents it from getting oxygen to other tissues.
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
Although COVID-19 has been detected in semen and feces, currently we do not think that the virus is spread through the sexual act. But, given that the virus is spread through respiratory droplets—which are much more likely to be shared when in close contact with another person—many sexual acts will be considered high risk. So, as the New York City Department of Health details in its safer sex and COVID-19 fact sheet, minimizing risks by exploring other avenues of meaningful interaction is suggested and recommended.
You can be infected with the coronavirus and not have a cough. If you do have one, it may be mild and infrequent, or you may cough heavily at times. Remember that it is possible to have COVID-19 with minimal symptoms or even no symptoms at all.
Not only do COVID-19 and bronchitis share similar symptoms, but they can also both last the same amount of time: about 1 to 2 weeks. The cough with both can also last up to a few weeks, even if the other symptoms have improved and you're no longer contagious.
Bronchitis doesn't cause COVID-19 or make you more likely to get it. But if you have chronic bronchitis or other health problems, you're more likely to get very sick if you do catch COVID-19. (Many conditions put people at higher risk with COVID-19.)
Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.