As the US heads into the fall season, a growing number of people are expected to contract COVID-19. According to Dr. Matthew Lokant, an infectious disease specialist at West Virginia University School of Medicine, cases are likely to rise as kids head back to school and reach a peak in early September.
The main symptoms of a COVID infection this summer include fatigue, fever, congestion, runny nose, cough, body aches, headache, and stomach upset. A painful sore throat known as “razor blade throat” has been associated with current infections, particularly those caused by the Nimbus strain. While this symptom can be uncomfortable, experts stress that it is not more dangerous but rather indicates severe infection.
Experts emphasize that certain COVID symptoms require medical attention, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe dehydration. If you have COVID and experience these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
High-risk groups, including those over 65, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals, may benefit from medication like Paxlovid to reduce their risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Your doctor can determine if a COVID antiviral medication is right for you.
To stay healthy, experts recommend wearing high-quality masks in crowded indoor places, washing hands regularly, and considering rescheduling social gatherings if someone close has the sniffles. Getting vaccinated against COVID remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may not be tracking cases accurately, with experts suggesting that there is likely more COVID circulating in communities than reported. To combat this, Dr. Sarah Whitley Coles encourages everyone to take necessary precautions and treat it as if there is a summer surge of cases.
Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/stratus-covid-symptoms-goog_l_68a77b1ce4b0ab862cb1a364