As the weeks turned into months, we’ve continued to learn more about the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. The more we learn, the more symptoms are added to the list of signs of a potential infection. Two newly-added symptoms that may be tricky are congestion and runny nose.
Continue reading to learn more about when nasal congestion is a sign of COVID-19.
What Are the Common COVID-19 Symptoms?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms, stretching from mild to severe. Symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure and include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Why Congestion and Runny Nose Are Complicated
Nasal congestion and a runny nose are common when the weather turns cold. This makes identifying them as COVID-19 symptoms more complicated. According to a report published by the World Health Organization, only 4.8% of the more than 55,000 laboratory confided cases of COVID-19 analyzed in China showed nasal congestion. This number is significantly lower than the 87.9% who presented with a fever, 67.7% who had a dry cough and 38.1% who reported fatigue.
Nasal congestion and a runny nose are considered non-specific symptoms, which means they are linked with a number of other illnesses. This is important, as during this time of year, influenza, allergies or the common cold are usually the cause of this symptom.
What to Do If You Have a Stuffy Noise
If you are experiencing a stuffy nose for more than a few days and are not showing signs of more serious or severe symptoms, the first thing you should do is schedule a telehealth appointment with your doctor. They will try to determine your COVID risk, as a stuffy nose can have multiple causes. Your provider may ask you questions about your medical history and if you suffer from allergies. It is important for your doctor to know if you have hay fever, especially if you’ve been spending most of your time at Sandy Springs Park in order to get out of the house.
For those who are following proper safety precautions and have not come into contact with anyone who has been infected, your doctor probably won’t recommend getting a test right away. To learn more about treating your nasal congestion or to schedule an appointment with an expert, contact Foothills ENT and Allergy and Hearing Center today.