The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its website and classified three "new" COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms join the federal agency's nine other symptoms, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache and loss of taste or smell, and sore throat.
These new symptoms can range from mild to severe, with most patients experiencing it for one to 14 days after contracting the virus.
On Thursday, the United States has broken its record for the most number of new COVID-19 cases reported in a day, with over 40,000 new confirmed COVID-19 positive individuals beating its old record on Wednesday.
Three New COVID-19 Symptoms According to CDC
When the novel coronavirus first started, there were only three symptoms acknowledged by health authorities. These symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. Since then, the picture of the infection has gotten a whole lot more complicated.
After almost six months since the first case of the novel coronavirus was reported, CDC has added three new possible symptoms for COVID-19. Their website has been updated to include symptoms such as congestion or runny nose, nausea, and diarrhea, The Hill reports.
Although these new symptoms do not seem to be new at all since many cases have already reported experiencing these, this list shows show difficult, it can be difficult to identify a person without doing proper testing.
Moreover, the CDC emphasized that the list does not include all possible symptoms, and they will continue to announce and update this list as they learn more about COVID-19.
They also warn older people or those with underlying conditions like diabetes, heart or lung disease that they are at much greater risk to having a severe case of the virus and that they should immediately seek emergency medical attention when experiencing troubled breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, and bluish lips or face.
Read also: Around 8.7 Million Americans Had Coronavirus in March, but 80% Went Undetected, New Study Suggests
Identifying COVID-19 Symptoms
It is important to note that none of these symptoms are pathognomic, which is defined by the National Cancer Institute as a sign or symptom exclusive to a specific disease.
This is undoubtedly true for congestion or runny nose as there could be many possible factors that can cause it. They could range from allergies to medication, tobacco smoke, or a foreign object that has gotten inside the nose. But of course, it could also be accompanied by other diseases such as the coronavirus.
Therefore, using the list of symptoms to diagnose oneself or another person of the virus does not determine whether they or you have it. It is not a replacement for testing or to a doctor reviewing the history of a person's medical record and doing the medical exam.
Subsequently, the list is also not to rule out COVID-19 infection just because the person does not experience any of the symptoms listed. A new symptom may be discovered soon, and maybe someone is already experiencing it without knowing that they are already positive of the virus.
Anyone could be infected and contagious and have no symptoms, or they could have mild symptoms without even noticing it.
