The #1 Early COVID Sign Most People Miss, According to an Infectious Disease Expert

Leigh Weingus
·4 min read
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Now that COVID has been around for three-and-a-half years, we're all pretty well-versed in what symptoms could be indicative of a new infection. A sore throat, cough and fever are all pretty good tip-offs, as is a sudden loss of taste or smell.

But there are certain symptoms that people may not associate with COVID. If you don't think you have COVID, you probably won't take a test, which can be problematic: With the new variant Eris circulating, infections and hospitalizations are back on the rise, making testing incredibly important.

So, what are the more commonly missed symptoms of COVID? And what else should people keep in mind about COVID as we head into the 2023 cold/flu/COVID season? Here's everything you need to know.

The #1 Early COVID Symptom Most People Miss

As mentioned, a cough, sore throat and low fever are all textbook COVID symptoms. But there's one symptom people don't often associate with COVID. Dr. Shirin Mazumder, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, notes that nausea/diarrhea can be early COVID symptoms—and not ones we typically associate with the infection.

"The time from exposure to symptom onset for COVID is anywhere from 2-14 days; however, the average time for symptoms to appear is 5-6 days," Dr. Mazumder notes. "There are a wide range of symptoms that can occur with COVID and the symptoms can vary greatly depending on the person. The most common symptoms of COVID infection include fever, sore throat, body aches, cough, headaches, congestion, loss of taste and smell, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea."

Related: These Are the Most Common Symptoms of the COVID Variant Eris

As for the actual order they occur in, she emphasizes that symptoms can occur in any order but for some, fever can be a symptom that may appear first. The sudden loss of taste and smell before the development of other symptoms can sometimes be an early sign of COVID.

In some severe cases, hospital admission might be necessary. "Some symptoms that warrant a medical evaluation include shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion or blue-tinged lips," Dr. Mazumder says.

Related: Dentists Are Begging You to Make One Important Change After Having COVID (or Any Other Illness) 

What To Do if You Notice COVID Symptoms

If you notice any COVID symptoms, it is important to get tested, Dr. Mazumder emphasizes. "Most people can take a rapid home COVID antigen test if they develop symptoms. If the home test is negative, then it is important to repeat the test in 48 hours. Sometimes the initial COVID test can be negative if the level of the virus is not high enough to be detected."

If the repeat test is negative, however, then a PCR test is a good idea. "A PCR test is more accurate than a home test; however, these tests are harder to access and generally available at a doctor’s office. If the PCR test is negative, then it is possible that a different viral illness may be at play."

If you do test positive for COVID-19, be sure to reach out to your physician and healthcare team. "Medications, such as Paxlovid, can reduce the risk for hospitalization in high-risk people but need to be started within five days of symptom onset to have the best effect," Dr. Mazumder says.

Related: When to Get Your 2023 COVID Booster and Flu Shot

What To Keep In Mind Heading Into Cold, Flu and COVID Season

Now that fall is upon us, upper respiratory infections are going to start creeping up. "In addition to COVID, other respiratory illnesses will be circulating this fall such as influenza and RSV," Dr. Mazumder says. "People can take precautions to protect themselves from respiratory viruses. Staying up-to-date on vaccines is the single most impactful way to protect yourself and those around you. In addition to receiving an updated COVID booster that will most likely be available later this month, getting vaccinated for the flu is also very important. Those over the age of 60 should also discuss the RSV vaccine with their physician to determine if it is right for them."

Other measures such as frequent hand washing, covering up coughs and sneezes, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth can protect against respiratory viruses. "Wearing a mask is still very protective in preventing not only COVID but other respiratory infections," Dr. Mazumder adds. "Masking in crowded spaces, especially if the ventilation is poor, is a helpful measure that can reduce the likelihood of infection."

As for any Eris-specific worries, Dr. Mazumder emphasizes that it presents similarly to other variants we've seen. "EG.5 is very similar to other Omicron variants, which means the transmission rate is high," she says. "The good news is the Eris variant does not cause more severe disease. Symptoms to look out for include sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, cough, body aches, headaches, fever, fatigue, nausea/diarrhea and altered sense of smell or taste."

Next up: If You Haven't Gotten COVID Yet, This Might Be Why

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