- COVID-19 cannot be diagnosed or ruled out purely based on symptoms. One needs to have reasonable exposure to the virus as defined as a “close contact” with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 positive person and then develop some symptoms within the incubation period which is about two days up to 5-7 days.
- The more common symptoms are fever, sore throat and/or respiratory symptoms such as a persistent cough, sore chest or shortness of breath. However, some people especially children and younger adults may be asymptomatic (no symptoms at all) but still carry and spread the virus, many people have mild flu symptoms and some may even have unusual symptoms, not typical of flu such as loss of smell and/or taste.
- The best chance of detecting an active viral infection is a day or so before, up to about a week after onset of symptoms. However, the nasal swab is only about 60% sensitive, whilst the throat swab is about 35% sensitive. This means that it is possible to have an active infection, but come up with a negative test in up to 30% of tests.
- COVID-19 swab test is not an immunity or infectiousness test.
- About 50% of new infections are through pre- and asymptomatic carriers. Some studies show up to 30% of new cases are from asymptomatic carriers.
- More than 80% of cases will be asymptomatic or mild, about 20% may have a more severe form of COVID, of which 5 may need some form of advanced (hospital) care.
- For school going grand/children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB_adDPep_w (ref: https://www.discovery.co.za/corporate/children-and-safety-at-schools)
- https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-06-26-distance-dose-dispersion-an-experts-guide-on-covid-19-risks-in-south-africa-and-how-to-manage-them/#gsc.tab=0
Medical & Dental @ 111
111 Adelaide Tambo Drive
Durban North 4051
Call Us
+27 31 563 2993