COVID Symptoms Often Happen In This Order, Says Report

BY, LEAH GROTH, DECEMBER 29, 2020

FACT CHECKED BY, ALEK KORAB

By now, we are all well aware of the most reported COVID-19 symptoms—shortness of breath, fever, loss of sense of smell or taste, and cough included. However, many people aren’t as thoroughly educated about the order that symptoms usually appear, and what the order of their symptoms can mean in terms of severity. In case you are curious about the order in which symptoms generally occur, a recent report—using hospital data taken from China earlier in the year—breaks it down. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had Coronavirus.

1. If You Do Have Symptoms, You are Likely to Get a Fever on Day One

According to the report, a fever is the most common “day one” symptom of COVID-19. Usually during the first day, symptoms start off mild.

2. Another Initial Sign May Be Diarrhea

Middle aged woman suffering from abdominal pain while sitting on bed at home — Shutterstock

According to their data, diarrhea is one of the first signs of COVID-19. While many people don’t experience this gastrointestinal symptom, it can actually be a sign that your body is starting to battle a severe infection.

3. You Might Then Have Nausea

Tired African-American man having headache after hard day, feeling exhausted — Shutterstock

Along with diarrhea, nausea is another early symptom that can predict a severe COVID-19 infection.

4. A Dry Cough May Follow

After an initial fever, a cough is usually next in line in the first day or so of an infection.

5. If Things Take a Turn for the Worse, You May Develop Pneumonia

Doctor check up x-ray image have problem lung tumor of patient. — Shutterstock

While the virus generally starts off with mild symptoms, things can take a turn for the worst on the third day. This is the average amount of time it took for patients to be admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia.

6. You May Have Difficulty Breathing

Woman suffering an anxiety attack alone in the night — iStock

By day five, those with severe COVID infections experienced worsening symptoms, including having trouble breathing.

7. You Have Have Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath was reported around day seven of symptoms, with many being admitted to the hospital at this time.

8. In Severe Cases, You Might Then Develop ARDS

Patients lying on hospital bed with mask, looking at lung x-ray film during doctor reading result and advice a treatment — Shutterstock

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is one of the most severe COVID-19 symptoms, often leading to death. It most commonly occurs on the eighth day for people with severe infections, and it is at this point when they are usually intubated.

9. Sepsis May Come Around Day Nine, in Bad Cases

The diagnosis Sepsis written on a clipboard — iStock

Some patients developed sepsis on the ninth day of their symptoms. The condition is a serious infection caused by an aggressive immune response. According to one study, “most deaths in ICUs in infected patients are produced by viral sepsis” and patients suffering from it “present an altered mental state, dyspnea, reduced urine output, faster heart rate, a weak pulse, and cold extremities.”10

10. You Might Have Abdominal Pain

Pain in the abdominal region was experienced by those with severe infections on around day ten to 11. Most of those who reported this symptom were admitted to the ICU.

11. You Might Have Appetite Loss

Displeased young woman doesn't want to eat her breakfast — Shutterstock

Appetite loss is another serious symptom of the virus, occurring around the same time as abdominal pain.

12. Of Course, the Worst Case Scenario is Death

According to the research, most deaths as a result of a COVID-19 infection occurs around day 18. However, this is also the point when those who recovered were discharged from the hospital. However, the average stay for Wenzhou patients was 27 days.13

Remember This: For Many People, There are No Symptoms

Portrait of cheerful young friends having fun while talking in a cafe — Shutterstock

Per the CDC, the virus has a median incubation period of about four to five days, in which they are asymptomatic. And many people who are infected never experience symptoms at all. “It is now clear that about 40%-45% of infections are asymptomatic,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

As for yourself, follow Fauci’s fundamentals and help end this surge, no matter where you live—wear a face mask, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.