Coronavirus symptoms: what are the common signs of Covid-19?

As the pandemic continues its deadly spread across the globe there are some common indicators to watch out for

Emergency warning signs include persistent chest pain or pressure, mental confusion and a bluish tinge to lips or face

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Many people who become infected experience only mild symptoms, but there are emergency warning signs to look out for. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:29pm, 3 Apr 2020Updated: 2:35pm, 28 Apr 2020

Covid-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, is a respiratory disease with common symptoms including fever, tiredness and dry cough, according to the World Health Organisation.

Some patients may also experience shortness of breath, sore throat and general aches and pains.

The WHO said very few people reported diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose. Growing evidence has found that a loss of taste or smell could also be a symptom of the disease.

In April, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released six additional symptoms, including chills, muscle pain and sore throat, which may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

The symptoms of Covid-19 according to the CDC are:

Fever
Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

While 80 per cent of people who become infected experience only mild symptoms, there are emergency warning signs to look out for.

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