The symptoms of Covid-19, including fever and cough, are the same as many illnesses, such as seasonal flu. Based on this, University of California researchers analyzed data from patients with Covid-19 and influenza to determine a more common order of symptoms.
To predict the sequence of symptoms with Covid-19 and the flu, the researchers analyzed data from the World Health Organization (WHO) on over 55,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in China. They also studied data on flu symptoms collected in North America, Europe and the southern hemisphere between 1994 and 1998.
The study concluded that patients with seasonal flu initially cough before fever and chills, while the first symptom of Covid-19 is generally fever. According to the findings, the order of symptoms of Covid-19 is as follows:
- fever
- cough and / or muscle aches
- nausea and / or vomiting
- diarrhea
The study also highlighted the immediate loss of smell and taste, an important symptom that distinguishes Covid-19 from the flu or cold.
Source: Healthline