Proven Signs You Already Had COVID, According to New Report
A few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts noticed that some people—even those who only suffered mild infections—were experiencing prolonged symptoms. These individuals have come to be known as long haulers, and their condition, long COVID. Interestingly enough, some of them didn't even know they were infected with the virus in the first place. Now, a new study involving 3,762 long haulers, has pinpointed the most common systemic signs of long COVID. In total, 205 symptoms in 10 organ systems were reported with 66 symptoms traced over seven months. According to their research, these are the most common systemic symptoms of long COVID. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus.
You May Have Experienced Fatigue
Fatigue is the most common symptom of Post-COVID Syndrome with up to 80 percent of those involved in the survey reporting it. Unlike the normal exhaustion of everyday life, this sort of tiredness is debilitating. Post-COVID syndrome is "highly suggestive of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said.
You May Have Experienced Post-Exertional Malaise
Post-exertional malaise is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, and implies that both physical and mental symptoms worsen following even brief periods of physical or mental exertion. For example, someone with long COVID would likely experience more dramatic symptoms 12 to 24 hours post activity, which could last for weeks or months.
You May Have Experienced An Elevated Temperature
Many of the systemic signs of long term COVID involve temperature changes. One of the most common signs is a spike of body temperature ranging from mild to severe, in the 98.8-100.4 range.
You May Have Experienced Temperature Fluctuations
Temperature fluctuations, meaning body temperature continues to spike and fall, are also extremely common.
You May Have Experienced Skin Sensations
Tingling sensation, abnormal sensitivity of the skin, numbness, itchiness, and skin crawling are just a few of the many skin sensations that have been documented in COVID-19 patients.
You May Have Experienced Weakness
Weakness or numbness in the body or muscles is another common manifestation of long term COVID.
You May Have Experienced Night Sweats
Due to temperature fluctuations, night sweats are another common sign of long hauler syndrome. Lauren Nichols, diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 10, revealed to The Atlantic magazine that along with a month of tremors, she suffered a fever for three months and night sweats for four months.
You May Have Experienced Coldness
Similar to the chills, many COVID long haulers reported experiencing the sensation of "coldness."
You May Have Experienced a Fever
Surprisingly, a fever of 100.4 or above was less commonly reported by long haulers than other temperature fluctuations.
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You May Have Experienced Heat Intolerance
After experiencing a fever, many long haulers struggled in terms of temperature regulation, reporting lingering heat intolerance.
You May Have Experienced a Low Temperature
One of the less common signs of long-term COVID was a low body temperature. If you've experienced that or any of the symptoms mentioned here, seek medical attention or contact a Post-COVID care center. 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.
