Coronavirus Symptoms, lately, the public has been shrouded in concern over the Coronavirus outbreak. Because the infection that attacks the respiratory system has symptoms similar to the common cold but can be fatal. So, what distinguishes the common cold from Coronavirus infection or COVID-19?
Both the common cold and COVID-19 are both caused by viruses that attack the human respiratory tract. However, these two viruses come from different groups and have different characteristics.
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The virus that causes flu comes from the rhinovirus group. This virus spreads from human to human and most often attacks children or adolescents. Rhinovirus infections can occur throughout the year, but most often in the rainy season. While COVID-19 is caused by viruses from the coronavirus group.
Differences in Symptoms of the Common Flu and Coronavirus Infection
The following are the differences between the symptoms of the common cold and the signs of Coronavirus infection or COVID-19:
Common Cold
The common cold occurs when rhinovirus attacks the respiratory tract. Generally, complaints that arise come from the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). The symptoms are as follows:
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion and runny
- Sore throat
- Mild headache
- Cough
- Fever (rare)
These symptoms usually appear 1-3 days after exposure to the virus from other people who are sick.
Coronavirus Symptoms, Viral Infection Symptoms
Just like rhinovirus, Coronavirus also infects the respiratory tract. Therefore, people who suffer from COVID-19 can experience symptoms similar to the flu. Even so, the Coronavirus that is currently being endemic is more likely to cause complaints in the lower respiratory tract. The Coronavirus can affect anyone, including pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants and children.
3 main virus symptoms can appear on COVID-19, namely:
- High fever
- Cough
- Hard to breathe
Patients can also experience muscle aches, headaches, sore throats, colds, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. However, this symptom is uncommon and is not typical in COVID-19 patients.
In severe cases, Coronavirus infection can cause serious complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia (severe lung infection), pulmonary edema, and malfunction of body organs, such as the kidneys.
Treatment of flu and Coronavirus Infection
Treatments for the flu and Coronavirus infection or COVID-19 cannot be compared, because these two diseases are very different. The following is an explanation of the treatment of flu and Coronavirus infections:
The Common Cold
The flu can generally heal itself in 4-9 days. The stronger the immune system, the faster the flu heals. Therefore, the doctor will advise flu sufferers to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious food, and drink enough water.
Meanwhile, to relieve flu symptoms, doctors will usually give:
Chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine
Flu drugs with this combination can be consumed to alleviate complaints of a stuffy and runny nose. Chlorpheniramine works by blocking histamine compounds that cause swelling in the nasal arteries. At the same time, pseudoephedrine will shrink the dilated blood vessels due to histamine.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen
Both of these drugs can be used to treat flu symptoms accompanied by mild fever. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are available in various brands and are very easy to find in pharmacies or drug stores.
A combination of paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and guaifenesin
If you have a cold accompanied by fever, cough with phlegm, and runny nose, you can take cold medicine with a combination of paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and guaifenesin to relieve these symptoms.
Coronavirus Symptoms Treatment
Until now, no drugs or vaccines have been found that can treat or prevent Coronavirus infection or COVID-19. However, symptoms of COVID-19, which are like the common cold, can be alleviated with cold medicine.
Unlike the case of COVID-19 with severe symptoms, treatment is more aimed at maintaining the patient’s condition and addressing complications that arise so as not to be fatal.
Coronavirus Symptoms Prevention
Although no vaccine has been found that can prevent Coronavirus infection, you can minimize the risk of getting this infection by:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use a mask for every activity outdoors or in public places.
- Increase drinking water.
- Get enough rest.
- Do not touch the eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are coughing and fever.
Coronavirus infection can cause symptoms that are mild to very severe and life-threatening. Symptoms of COVID-19 are mild can indeed be similar to the symptoms of the common cold. Therefore, you need to be more observant to recognize the difference, based on the explanation above.
If you experience flu symptoms, especially those that do not heal for more than 1 week and are accompanied by a high fever, consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause.
If you are still in doubt, you can chat directly with the doctor on the Alodokter app, as well as make an appointment with a doctor in the hospital through this application.