Headache, nausea, and fatigue: Causes and links

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are unpleasant symptoms on their own, and sometimes they occur together.

People can usually manage these symptoms at home with conservative treatments, but, occasionally, they can signal an underlying health condition.

In this article, learn about the causes of a headache, nausea, and fatigue, as well as about the possible treatments.

Share on PinterestMild dehydration is a possible cause of a headache, nausea, and fatigue.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be triggered separately by common factors, such as:

Often, once a person deals with the underlying cause by drinking enough water or getting a good night’s rest, the headache, nausea, and fatigue will disappear.

However, there are several conditions that can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue that may require medical attention. Some are more common than others.

Influenza

Influenza, or the flu, is a very common viral illness. Symptoms of the flu include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• headaches
• fatigue
• achy muscles
• runny or stuffed up nose
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children)

Most people who contract the flu recover within 2 weeks. However, some people are at risk of developing complications, such as sinus infections and pneumonia. These groups of people include:

• people over 65 years of age
• people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease
• pregnant women
• children under 5 years of age

Migraine

According to the American Migraine Foundation, migraine affects 37 million people in the United States.

There are several stages of a migraine episode:

• Prodrome, or “pre-headache,” which can last a few hours to several days.
• Aura, which can include blurry vision or blind spots, lasting up to 1 hour.
• Headache on one or both sides of the head, lasting up to 3 days.
• Postdrome, or “migraine hangover,” lasting up to 2 days.

Throughout these stages, a person can experience several symptoms, along with headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Some of these include:

• sensitivity to light and sound
• trouble sleeping
• irritability
• vomiting
• inability to concentrate

There are medications available for migraines, split into two categories. These categories are for acute or preventative treatment.

A person takes acute medication at the first sign of a migraine attack, whereas they take preventative medication regularly to try to reduce the number and severity of migraines.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition that may stop people from taking part in their usual activities.

It affects an estimated 836,000–2.5 million people in the U. S. alone. Doctors do not currently know what causes the condition.

As well as fatigue, headaches, and nausea, signs of CFS can include:

• flu-like symptoms
• achy muscles
• difficulty getting to sleep or waking up
• sensitivity to light and sound
• loss of appetite

There is currently no cure for CFS. However, doctors will work with people to address their main symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend professional counseling and other complementary therapies, as well as following a healthful, balanced diet.

Less common causes

Other, less common causes of headache, nausea, and fatigue include:

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are very common symptoms of other health conditions. As such, it is difficult to determine whether these symptoms can directly affect each other.

A 2014 study on nausea in people with migraine suggests that these symptoms may come from different parts of the brain.

The researchers found that the areas of the brain relating to nausea showed an increase in activity before headaches occurred.

Also, nausea became worse when headaches appeared, possibly due to connections between the two areas responsible for these symptoms activating.

The authors concluded that although headaches can make nausea worse, neither of these symptoms directly causes the other.

There are many reasons why a person may experience fatigue.

A 2017 study suggested that migraines and fatigue, as a symptom of depression, may be linked by a dysfunction of the hypothalamus. However, it is not clear whether headaches cause fatigue or vice versa.

Research has found a similar link between conditions that cause fatigue, such as fibromyalgia and migraines.

One study found that more than half of 1,730 people with fibromyalgia also experienced migraine episodes, suggesting a link between fatigue and headaches.

A 2019 study found that more than a third of people who have CFS also experience migraines headaches. As CFS affects the nervous system, it may have a knock-on effect on blood vessels, leading to migraine headaches.

However, this study only surveyed 150 people, so the sample may not be reflective of a larger population.

A 2018 study has suggested that hypotension may be the common link between fatigue and nausea in people with CFS.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may trigger an autoimmune response. This response may, in turn, trigger symptoms such as nausea and fatigue in those who have CFS.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many links, but it is difficult to prove that one causes the other.

Headaches can have many causes, such as stress or dehydration. Similarly, any number of everyday triggers can cause nausea and fatigue.

However, it is important to see a doctor if these three symptoms are severe, long lasting, or affect daily activities.

When headaches, nausea, and fatigue appear together, they may be symptoms underlying another health condition.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many causes. When they appear together, they can be symptoms of conditions such as the flu, migraines, or CFS.

While occasionally experiencing these symptoms is usually nothing to be concerned about, people should see a doctor if they are affecting daily activities.

Studies have shown links between the three symptoms, but, as these symptoms often present together in multiple health conditions, it can be difficult to determine whether they can cause each other.

Headache, nausea, and fatigue: Causes and links

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are unpleasant symptoms on their own, and sometimes they occur together.

People can usually manage these symptoms at home with conservative treatments, but, occasionally, they can signal an underlying health condition.

In this article, learn about the causes of a headache, nausea, and fatigue, as well as about the possible treatments.

Share on PinterestMild dehydration is a possible cause of a headache, nausea, and fatigue.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be triggered separately by common factors, such as:

Often, once a person deals with the underlying cause by drinking enough water or getting a good night’s rest, the headache, nausea, and fatigue will disappear.

However, there are several conditions that can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue that may require medical attention. Some are more common than others.

Influenza

Influenza, or the flu, is a very common viral illness. Symptoms of the flu include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• headaches
• fatigue
• achy muscles
• runny or stuffed up nose
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children)

Most people who contract the flu recover within 2 weeks. However, some people are at risk of developing complications, such as sinus infections and pneumonia. These groups of people include:

• people over 65 years of age
• people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease
• pregnant women
• children under 5 years of age

Migraine

According to the American Migraine Foundation, migraine affects 37 million people in the United States.

There are several stages of a migraine episode:

• Prodrome, or “pre-headache,” which can last a few hours to several days.
• Aura, which can include blurry vision or blind spots, lasting up to 1 hour.
• Headache on one or both sides of the head, lasting up to 3 days.
• Postdrome, or “migraine hangover,” lasting up to 2 days.

Throughout these stages, a person can experience several symptoms, along with headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Some of these include:

• sensitivity to light and sound
• trouble sleeping
• irritability
• vomiting
• inability to concentrate

There are medications available for migraines, split into two categories. These categories are for acute or preventative treatment.

A person takes acute medication at the first sign of a migraine attack, whereas they take preventative medication regularly to try to reduce the number and severity of migraines.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition that may stop people from taking part in their usual activities.

It affects an estimated 836,000–2.5 million people in the U.S. alone. Doctors do not currently know what causes the condition.

As well as fatigue, headaches, and nausea, signs of CFS can include:

• flu-like symptoms
• achy muscles
• difficulty getting to sleep or waking up
• sensitivity to light and sound
• loss of appetite

There is currently no cure for CFS. However, doctors will work with people to address their main symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend professional counseling and other complementary therapies, as well as following a healthful, balanced diet.

Less common causes

Other, less common causes of headache, nausea, and fatigue include:

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are very common symptoms of other health conditions. As such, it is difficult to determine whether these symptoms can directly affect each other.

A 2014 study on nausea in people with migraine suggests that these symptoms may come from different parts of the brain.

The researchers found that the areas of the brain relating to nausea showed an increase in activity before headaches occurred.

Also, nausea became worse when headaches appeared, possibly due to connections between the two areas responsible for these symptoms activating.

The authors concluded that although headaches can make nausea worse, neither of these symptoms directly causes the other.

There are many reasons why a person may experience fatigue.

A 2017 study suggested that migraines and fatigue, as a symptom of depression, may be linked by a dysfunction of the hypothalamus. However, it is not clear whether headaches cause fatigue or vice versa.

Research has found a similar link between conditions that cause fatigue, such as fibromyalgia and migraines.

One study found that more than half of 1,730 people with fibromyalgia also experienced migraine episodes, suggesting a link between fatigue and headaches.

A 2019 study found that more than a third of people who have CFS also experience migraines headaches. As CFS affects the nervous system, it may have a knock-on effect on blood vessels, leading to migraine headaches.

However, this study only surveyed 150 people, so the sample may not be reflective of a larger population.

A 2018 study has suggested that hypotension may be the common link between fatigue and nausea in people with CFS.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may trigger an autoimmune response. This response may, in turn, trigger symptoms such as nausea and fatigue in those who have CFS.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many links, but it is difficult to prove that one causes the other.

Headaches can have many causes, such as stress or dehydration. Similarly, any number of everyday triggers can cause nausea and fatigue.

However, it is important to see a doctor if these three symptoms are severe, long lasting, or affect daily activities.

When headaches, nausea, and fatigue appear together, they may be symptoms underlying another health condition.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many causes. When they appear together, they can be symptoms of conditions such as the flu, migraines, or CFS.

While occasionally experiencing these symptoms is usually nothing to be concerned about, people should see a doctor if they are affecting daily activities.

Studies have shown links between the three symptoms, but, as these symptoms often present together in multiple health conditions, it can be difficult to determine whether they can cause each other.

Headache, nausea, and fatigue: Causes and links

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are unpleasant symptoms on their own, and sometimes they occur together.

People can usually manage these symptoms at home with conservative treatments, but, occasionally, they can signal an underlying health condition.

In this article, learn about the causes of a headache, nausea, and fatigue, as well as about the possible treatments.

Share on PinterestMild dehydration is a possible cause of a headache, nausea, and fatigue.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be triggered separately by common factors, such as:

Often, once a person deals with the underlying cause by drinking enough water or getting a good night’s rest, the headache, nausea, and fatigue will disappear.

However, there are several conditions that can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue that may require medical attention. Some are more common than others.

Influenza

Influenza, or the flu, is a very common viral illness. Symptoms of the flu include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• headaches
• fatigue
• achy muscles
• runny or stuffed up nose
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children)

Most people who contract the flu recover within 2 weeks. However, some people are at risk of developing complications, such as sinus infections and pneumonia. These groups of people include:

• people over 65 years of age
• people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease
• pregnant women
• children under 5 years of age

Migraine

According to the American Migraine Foundation, migraine affects 37 million people in the United States.

There are several stages of a migraine episode:

• Prodrome, or “pre-headache,” which can last a few hours to several days.
• Aura, which can include blurry vision or blind spots, lasting up to 1 hour.
• Headache on one or both sides of the head, lasting up to 3 days.
• Postdrome, or “migraine hangover,” lasting up to 2 days.

Throughout these stages, a person can experience several symptoms, along with headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Some of these include:

• sensitivity to light and sound
• trouble sleeping
• irritability
• vomiting
• inability to concentrate

There are medications available for migraines, split into two categories. These categories are for acute or preventative treatment.

A person takes acute medication at the first sign of a migraine attack, whereas they take preventative medication regularly to try to reduce the number and severity of migraines.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition that may stop people from taking part in their usual activities.

It affects an estimated 836,000–2.5 million people in the U.S. alone. Doctors do not currently know what causes the condition.

As well as fatigue, headaches, and nausea, signs of CFS can include:

• flu-like symptoms
• achy muscles
• difficulty getting to sleep or waking up
• sensitivity to light and sound
• loss of appetite

There is currently no cure for CFS. However, doctors will work with people to address their main symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend professional counseling and other complementary therapies, as well as following a healthful, balanced diet.

Less common causes

Other, less common causes of headache, nausea, and fatigue include:

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are very common symptoms of other health conditions. As such, it is difficult to determine whether these symptoms can directly affect each other.

A 2014 study on nausea in people with migraine suggests that these symptoms may come from different parts of the brain.

The researchers found that the areas of the brain relating to nausea showed an increase in activity before headaches occurred.

Also, nausea became worse when headaches appeared, possibly due to connections between the two areas responsible for these symptoms activating.

The authors concluded that although headaches can make nausea worse, neither of these symptoms directly causes the other.

There are many reasons why a person may experience fatigue.

A 2017 study suggested that migraines and fatigue, as a symptom of depression, may be linked by a dysfunction of the hypothalamus. However, it is not clear whether headaches cause fatigue or vice versa.

Research has found a similar link between conditions that cause fatigue, such as fibromyalgia and migraines.

One study found that more than half of 1,730 people with fibromyalgia also experienced migraine episodes, suggesting a link between fatigue and headaches.

A 2019 study found that more than a third of people who have CFS also experience migraines headaches. As CFS affects the nervous system, it may have a knock-on effect on blood vessels, leading to migraine headaches.

However, this study only surveyed 150 people, so the sample may not be reflective of a larger population.

A 2018 study has suggested that hypotension may be the common link between fatigue and nausea in people with CFS.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may trigger an autoimmune response. This response may, in turn, trigger symptoms such as nausea and fatigue in those who have CFS.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many links, but it is difficult to prove that one causes the other.

Headaches can have many causes, such as stress or dehydration. Similarly, any number of everyday triggers can cause nausea and fatigue.

However, it is important to see a doctor if these three symptoms are severe, long lasting, or affect daily activities.

When headaches, nausea, and fatigue appear together, they may be symptoms underlying another health condition.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many causes. When they appear together, they can be symptoms of conditions such as the flu, migraines, or CFS.

While occasionally experiencing these symptoms is usually nothing to be concerned about, people should see a doctor if they are affecting daily activities.

Studies have shown links between the three symptoms, but, as these symptoms often present together in multiple health conditions, it can be difficult to determine whether they can cause each other.

Headache, nausea, and fatigue: Causes and links

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are unpleasant symptoms on their own, and sometimes they occur together.

People can usually manage these symptoms at home with conservative treatments, but, occasionally, they can signal an underlying health condition.

In this article, learn about the causes of a headache, nausea, and fatigue, as well as about the possible treatments.

Share on PinterestMild dehydration is a possible cause of a headache, nausea, and fatigue.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be triggered separately by common factors, such as:

Often, once a person deals with the underlying cause by drinking enough water or getting a good night’s rest, the headache, nausea, and fatigue will disappear.

However, there are several conditions that can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue that may require medical attention. Some are more common than others.

Influenza

Influenza, or the flu, is a very common viral illness. Symptoms of the flu include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• headaches
• fatigue
• achy muscles
• runny or stuffed up nose
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children)

Most people who contract the flu recover within 2 weeks. However, some people are at risk of developing complications, such as sinus infections and pneumonia. These groups of people include:

• people over 65 years of age
• people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease
• pregnant women
• children under 5 years of age

Migraine

According to the American Migraine Foundation, migraine affects 37 million people in the United States.

There are several stages of a migraine episode:

• Prodrome, or “pre-headache,” which can last a few hours to several days.
• Aura, which can include blurry vision or blind spots, lasting up to 1 hour.
• Headache on one or both sides of the head, lasting up to 3 days.
• Postdrome, or “migraine hangover,” lasting up to 2 days.

Throughout these stages, a person can experience several symptoms, along with headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Some of these include:

• sensitivity to light and sound
• trouble sleeping
• irritability
• vomiting
• inability to concentrate

There are medications available for migraines, split into two categories. These categories are for acute or preventative treatment.

A person takes acute medication at the first sign of a migraine attack, whereas they take preventative medication regularly to try to reduce the number and severity of migraines.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition that may stop people from taking part in their usual activities.

It affects an estimated 836,000–2.5 million people in the U. S. alone. Doctors do not currently know what causes the condition.

As well as fatigue, headaches, and nausea, signs of CFS can include:

• flu-like symptoms
• achy muscles
• difficulty getting to sleep or waking up
• sensitivity to light and sound
• loss of appetite

There is currently no cure for CFS. However, doctors will work with people to address their main symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend professional counseling and other complementary therapies, as well as following a healthful, balanced diet.

Less common causes

Other, less common causes of headache, nausea, and fatigue include:

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue are very common symptoms of other health conditions. As such, it is difficult to determine whether these symptoms can directly affect each other.

A 2014 study on nausea in people with migraine suggests that these symptoms may come from different parts of the brain.

The researchers found that the areas of the brain relating to nausea showed an increase in activity before headaches occurred.

Also, nausea became worse when headaches appeared, possibly due to connections between the two areas responsible for these symptoms activating.

The authors concluded that although headaches can make nausea worse, neither of these symptoms directly causes the other.

There are many reasons why a person may experience fatigue.

A 2017 study suggested that migraines and fatigue, as a symptom of depression, may be linked by a dysfunction of the hypothalamus. However, it is not clear whether headaches cause fatigue or vice versa.

Research has found a similar link between conditions that cause fatigue, such as fibromyalgia and migraines.

One study found that more than half of 1,730 people with fibromyalgia also experienced migraine episodes, suggesting a link between fatigue and headaches.

A 2019 study found that more than a third of people who have CFS also experience migraines headaches. As CFS affects the nervous system, it may have a knock-on effect on blood vessels, leading to migraine headaches.

However, this study only surveyed 150 people, so the sample may not be reflective of a larger population.

A 2018 study has suggested that hypotension may be the common link between fatigue and nausea in people with CFS.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may trigger an autoimmune response. This response may, in turn, trigger symptoms such as nausea and fatigue in those who have CFS.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many links, but it is difficult to prove that one causes the other.

Headaches can have many causes, such as stress or dehydration. Similarly, any number of everyday triggers can cause nausea and fatigue.

However, it is important to see a doctor if these three symptoms are severe, long lasting, or affect daily activities.

When headaches, nausea, and fatigue appear together, they may be symptoms underlying another health condition.

Headaches, nausea, and fatigue have many causes. When they appear together, they can be symptoms of conditions such as the flu, migraines, or CFS.

While occasionally experiencing these symptoms is usually nothing to be concerned about, people should see a doctor if they are affecting daily activities.

Studies have shown links between the three symptoms, but, as these symptoms often present together in multiple health conditions, it can be difficult to determine whether they can cause each other.

10 Common Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore

Certain symptoms women commonly experience after age 40 may be nothing to worry about, particularly if they’re part of your “norm.” But when you have a sudden change like headache, nausea, fatigue, unexpected vaginal bleeding, heart palpitations that last more than 15 minutes, or a rash on your breast that doesn’t go away within a couple of days, it’s wise to see your doctor.

“The reality is that a lot of times these symptoms are normal,” says Courtney Baechler, MD, a cardiologist and vice president of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Abbott Hospital in Minneapolis. To put things in perspective, she reminds her patients that these are all things they’ve probably experienced in one form or another in just the past week — but they can also indicate a more serious health condition.

Take extreme fatigue in women, for example. Fibromyalgia syndrome, a disorder that causes chronic, deep muscle pain, may cause debilitating fatigue, even headache. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that occurs more often in women than men and has no known cure. Medication, getting sound sleep, being active, and eating a healthy diet may help the extreme fatigue of fibromyalgia.

Severe fatigue may also be caused by much more serious conditions that need a doctor’s attention, including, for example:

• Cancer
• Depression
• Some types of inflammatory arthritis

Antihistamines, antidepressants, and pain medicines at higher doses can cause significant fatigue. If you have experienced severe fatigue symptoms for several weeks, set up a doctor’s appointment. Your doctor will do a physical exam, ask about your health history, and order laboratory tests to make sure nothing serious is going on.

Headache, nausea, fatigue, and achiness may be a sign of a common cold or flu virus or a sign of heatstroke, especially in older adults. If you suspect heatstroke — call 911 or medical personnel immediately.

According to the Merck Manual, nausea and fatigue can be symptoms caused by cancer, diabetes, anemia, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious diseases. Or nausea and fatigue can be normal symptoms during PMS, menstruation, or pregnancy.

That’s why it is important to know your body. Even weight gain or weight loss could be a result of eating more or less — or a symptom of a serious illness such as diabetes.

Knowing when new symptoms occur and checking with your physician to make sure they are not serious will let you be your own bodyguard when it comes to health and longevity.

Feeling Sick? Use this Symptom Checker for Common Fall and Winter Illnesses

As the weather cools, viruses have a tendency to spread with more ease. That’s because people tend to spend more time indoors, where germs can circulate from one person to another through the air or close contact. This fall or winter, if you find yourself sniffling and sneezing, or experiencing an upset stomach, you could have a common virus.

We’ve created a symptom checker to help you tell the difference between cold and flu symptoms, COVID-19 symptoms and norovirus symptoms. Read on to learn more, and remember to always call your doctor if you have any concerns about your health.

Cold

What is it?

A cold is a respiratory illness caused by different types of viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common. Colds frequently circulate in winter and spring, but a person can become ill with a cold any time of the year.

What are cold symptoms?

Cold symptoms can be similar to flu symptoms, but they’re generally milder, and usually include the following:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Body aches
• Coughing
• Sneezing

How long do cold symptoms last?

Most people recover from a cold within seven to 10 days.

When should you see a doctor about your cold symptoms?

If you experience any of the following, you may want to consider calling a health care professional:

• A fever lasting longer than four days, or, in babies younger than three months, a fever that is 100.4 or higher
• Symptoms that lasts 10 days or more with no improvement
• Fever, cough or other symptoms that improve but then return or become more severe
• Dehydration
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Chronic health conditions that worsen
• Any other symptoms that cause you concern

Influenza

What is it?

The flu, also known influenza, is a respiratory illness caused by different viruses. The flu can be mild or severe, and even lead to hospitalization or death. Certain groups of people, including young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be at risk for serious complications. An annual flu vaccine can help prevent getting sick. The CDC recommends, with few exceptions, that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine at the start of every flu season, ideally in September or October.

What are influenza symptoms?

Flu symptoms can be similar to cold symptoms, but they’re generally more severe; they can also be similar to COVID-19 symptoms. Common flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Muscle/body aches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting/diarrhea (more common in children)

How long do influenza symptoms last?

Some people with the flu will recover in a few days, while others may take closer to two weeks. If complications arise, recovery could take longer and require medical assistance.

When should you see a doctor about influenza symptoms?

There are many types of flu symptoms that demand medical attention, and while the following list includes a number of them, it’s not conclusive. Always call your doctor if you’re concerned about a symptom such as:

• Fast breathing/trouble breathing
• Chest pain/pressure
• Severe muscle pain
• Dehydration/not urinating
• Not alert/interaction when awake; confused; dizzy
• Seizures
• Severe weakness
• Fever or cough that improves but then return/worsens
• Chronic medical conditions that worsen

COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19, which is a new type of coronavirus, is a respiratory illness that can impact people in different ways, with some people experiencing symptoms similar to the flu. Like the flu, COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe, and older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be at greater risk of developing serious complications. Unlike the flu, there is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19.

What are COVID-19 symptoms?

Health care professionals are still learning about COVID-19. The following list includes a number of potential symptoms, but not all symptoms. Call your health care provider if you think you might have COVID-19 and arrange to get tested.

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Muscle/body aches
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

How long do COVID-19 symptoms last?

Mild cases tend to last one to two weeks, while more severe cases can last six weeks or more, and cause lasting damage.

When should you see a doctor about COVID-19 symptoms?

COVID-19 can lead to serious complications and even death. Call for help immediately if experiencing the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Ongoing pain/pressure in the chest
• A sense of confusion
• Trouble staying awake or waking up
• Blue tint to the lips or face

Norovirus

What is norovirus?

Norovirus, sometimes referred to as a stomach bug or stomach flu, is a virus that can spread through contaminated foods and water, or contact with an infected person. It is one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis, and is the top cause of foodborne illness. Norovirus can strike at any time of year, but is most common November to April.

What are norovirus symptoms?

If you think you may have the stomach flu or a stomach bug, it could be norovirus. Common symptoms include:

How long do norovirus symptoms last?

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Generally, people with norovirus recover in one to three days.

When should you call a doctor about norovirus symptoms?

You should call a doctor if you have any of the following:

• Bloody stool
• Severe vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea that continues after several days

In recent months, COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of frequent handwashing and social distancing to help stop the spread of disease. This fall and winter, remember those lessons, and more: get your flu vaccinations, find ways to manage stress, stay active, prepare food safely and see your health care provider for regular exams and screenings. With the proper precautions, you can strive to head into 2021 healthy and ready for a new beginning.

Cold, flu, allergies or COVID-19? How to tell the difference

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This article was updated June 26, 2020, to reflect new information from the CDC.

There are many similar symptoms of cold, flu, allergies and novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Sometimes, it may be difficult to determine what ailment you may be experiencing.

So how can you know whether you are dealing with allergies, a common cold, the flu or COVID-19?

The biggest difference is the shortness of breath associated with COVID-19. The flu or cold does not cause shortness of breath unless it progresses to pneumonia. Other symptoms of COVID-19 are fever and dry cough. On April 27, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the list of symptoms to include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell. On June 25, 2020, the CDC, again added three new symptoms to the list. The complete list of symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

A cold, which could be triggered by more than 200 different viruses, can make you miserable but is relatively harmless. It usually clears up by itself after a period of time, although it can sometimes lead to a secondary infection, such as an ear infection. Common cold symptoms include sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat and mild to moderate chest discomfort and cough.

Influenza, however, can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and even death. What may seem like a cold could actually be the flu. Symptoms include fever or feverish/chills, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose and sore throat.

Allergies are typically chronic conditions presenting with symptoms off and on depending perhaps on the season or your environment. Those suffering from allergies deal with itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.

Despite some overlap, the typical symptoms of COVID-19 are more similar to the flu than the common cold or allergies.

Reduce the risk of illness

So, you’ve decided you want to avoid all of the above.

How do you protect yourself from COVID-19?

• Wear a face mask when you go out in public
• Wash your hands often with soap and clean, running water for at least 20 seconds.
• If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often. Make sure it has at least 60% alcohol.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you have clean hands.
• As much as possible, don’t touch “high-touch” public surfaces such as doorknobs. Don’t shake hands.
• Clean home and work surfaces often with disinfectant.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue into the trash. If you don’t have tissues, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Stay informed about COVID-19 in your area. Follow local instructions about being in public. Be aware of events in your community that may be postponed or canceled, such as school and sporting events. You may be advised to not attend public gatherings and to stay about 6 feet from others as much as possible. This is called “social distancing.”
• Check your home supplies. Consider keeping a 2-week supply of medicines, food, and other needed household items.
• Don’t share eating or drinking utensils with sick people.
• Don’t kiss someone who is sick.
• Clean surfaces often with disinfectant.

How do you prevent the common cold?

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your nose or eyes, especially while around sick people.
• Clean surfaces with disinfectants that kill viruses to halt the spread of colds.

And how do you prevent the flu?

• Get a flu shot as soon as it is available each year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that infants over the age of 6 months and all children and adults get vaccinated every year.
• Wash your hands before eating and don’t put your hands near your face or in your mouth. Wash for at least 20 seconds; regular soap will do.
• If someone in your family has the flu, keep surfaces clean of the virus by wiping them with a cleaning solution containing chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents, iodophors or alcohols. Flu viruses are also killed by heat above 167 F.
• Raise the humidity in your home or workplace. The flu bug exists in higher quantities in dry nasal and oral passages. By raising the humidity, your body will be better able to flush out the flu bug.

And what about allergies?

There’s not much to do to prevent allergies, but you can help prevent the symptoms by:

• Controlling your environment, such as using air conditioning during pollen season.
• Stay away from areas where there is heavy dust, mites, molds.
• Keeping away from pets if you have an issue with pet dander.

Still not sure about some of the symptoms you may be experiencing?

Visit OSF OnCall for a consultation with a health care provider or chat with Clare, our online digital assistant, who will check your symptoms and direct you to the right type of care.

90,000 Differences between coronavirus and ARVI were named

Physician-therapist of the highest category Tatyana Romanenko spoke about ways to distinguish coronavirus infection from ordinary influenza and ARVI. So, both diseases begin with approximately the same symptoms, but changes are subsequently traced.

At the initial stage, the coronavirus resembles seasonal flu and SARS: in the first days, slight weakness and malaise are felt, there is no high temperature. But further differences can be traced.

“A common cold or ARVI is rich in catarrhal phenomena: the temperature may be low, but there is a runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches.For some, this is accompanied by a violation of the stool, diarrhea, large mucous discharge, “- said Romanenko” Reedus “.

At the same time, with a mild form of coronavirus, infected people feel a loss of smell and taste, complain of passivity in the absence of pain symptoms.

There are also differences in the duration of the disease. Uncomplicated ARVI lasts from three to seven days, and with coronavirus – up to two, in some cases up to three weeks.

If a patient is sick with a severe form of coronavirus, then the temperature almost immediately rises to 38.5-39 degrees, a cough begins, there is a lack of oxygen, shortness of breath.In this situation, a person must be hospitalized.

In addition, the difference between influenza and COVID-19 is severe headache and aches throughout the body.

“Seasonal flu begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache, sharp pain in muscles and joints. In this case, the cough may or may not be. This flu feeling usually lasts a couple of days, rarely five days, and then relief should come. In contrast to a severe covid infection, when the improvement occurs at best on the tenth day, ”said Romanenko.

The doctor advised that when the first signs of a cold appeared, observe the self-isolation regime and call a doctor.

Earlier, an immunologist said that a person can be re-infected with a coronavirus infection in two to three months. According to the specialist, it depends on how long the high level of antibodies in the body lasts.

90,000 Why does the back of the head hurt and what to do about it?

The pain in the head can have different causes: from brain diseases to banal fatigue.Without appropriate examinations, it is difficult to quickly determine why the patient’s neck hurts: the cause may be vasospasm, high blood pressure, diseases of the spine, swelling, trauma, or simply fatigue and overwork of the neck muscles.

Temporary causes of headache

Pain in the back of the head and temples is often caused not by diseases, but by overexertion. The reason is muscle fatigue and increased intracranial pressure. Pain occurs against a background of high mental stress, stress, anxiety and depression.The patient often feels nausea and dizziness.

A negative state of mind not only affects the blood vessels of the brain, but also forces us to take positions that are uncomfortable for the body: slouching our back, lowering our shoulders, pressing our neck to our chest. All this leads to muscle strain, which increases pain in the back of the head. And in the case of a diseased spine, it additionally strains the nerves. As a result, the discomfort only intensifies.

There are many ways to deal with this type of headache.If you are overworked or have been in an uncomfortable position for a long time, light exercises, a warm bath, and a head and neck massage will help. If the pain is severe, you can first take an analgesic. If you have a serious illness (such as depression or anxiety disorder), see your doctor to help you start treatment and relieve your symptoms.

Why does the back of the head hurt with diseases of the spine?

There are two main reasons: pain can simply spread from a sore back, or it can appear due to pinched nerve endings.Back diseases often come together: due to curvature and osteochondrosis, neuralgia begins and a hernia develops.

• Osteochondrosis is a common cause of pain in the back of the head. With it, the discs of the cervical vertebrae are destroyed. The pain is felt in the neck, temples, and back of the head. The patient may complain of tinnitus, loss of coordination, and nausea.
• Neuralgia of the occipital nerve manifests itself against the background of other diseases of the spine or occurs after prolonged hypothermia and draft.Severe shooting pain is felt with it, usually with movement of the head and neck. At rest, the pain is very weak, and there are no other unpleasant sensations.
• Cervical spondylosis is an increase in the volume of bone tissue. It compresses blood vessels and impairs neck mobility. As a result, the patient begins to have a constant dull pain in the back of the head, which increases with any physical exertion.

For any of these conditions, see a neurologist. A simple visual examination will help to determine the picture of the disease, but it will not be superfluous to show the doctor a pre-made X-ray or MRI of the cervical spine.With a scan of the bones of the spine and surrounding tissues, it will be easier to make the correct diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment.

Diseases of the brain and blood vessels

If back diseases have been ruled out, it is worth looking for the cause in the heart, blood vessels and brain. Unfortunately, diseases of the nervous and circulatory system are very common, and almost all of them cause dizziness and pain. Among vascular diseases, the following are especially common:

• Hypertension , or high blood pressure.It is accompanied by headache, double vision and dizziness. Unpleasant sensations begin throughout the body, especially with a sharp surge in pressure;
• Vascular spasms cause throbbing pain in the occiput that extends to the temporal and occipital lobes. With movement, the pain intensifies;
• Intracranial hypertension is an increase in pressure inside the skull. In addition to severe pressing pain, the patient experiences weakness, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations and convulsions begin;
• Stroke – blockage or rupture of cerebral vessels.An attack of acute pain occurs, the patient may be partially paralyzed, unable to distinguish the surrounding space, and indistinctly talking. This is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention to save life!

If the cause of the pain is in the brain, the following conditions are possible:

• Concussion – from injury or fall. Causes bruising and increased blood pressure, resulting in pain, nausea, and loss of coordination.
• Tumors , both benign and malignant, cause dull, persistent pain at the site of formation. As they grow, they press on the structures of the brain, causing them to break down. Intracranial pressure rises and blood flow may be impaired.

If you suspect these diseases, you should see a highly qualified neurologist or neurosurgeon. Depending on the symptoms, you may be prescribed computed tomography and MRI of the brain, its individual structures and angiography of the vessels.At the appointment, the doctor will definitely measure the pressure. You may be sent to an ophthalmologist to check your fundus, and if a tumor is suspected, you will have to undergo blood tests for antibodies.

Other causes of pain

The back of the head can hurt due to ailments not related to the nervous and circulatory system. The back of the head can give pain from:

• ENT diseases : tonsillitis, pharyngitis, inflammation of the nasopharynx and ear canals;
• dental diseases : deep caries, abnormal growth of wisdom teeth, periodontitis;
• eye diseases : cataracts, scleritis, conjunctivitis and many others.

If you find that the pain in the back of the head is not associated with problems in the brain, spine and blood vessels, see an otolaryngologist, dentist and ophthalmologist. Well, if these doctors do not find any deviations, we advise you to review your daily routine, warm up regularly and monitor your posture. Chances are good that the pain caused by muscle fatigue and overwork will stop. But, if you have a regular headache, it is better to consult a doctor for a medical examination and exclusion of pathologies.

90,000 WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF A DISEASE LIKE THE FLU

The symptoms of influenza A (h2N1) virus in humans are similar to those of seasonal flu and include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, weakness, loss of appetite. A significant number of people infected with the virus also have diarrhea (loose stools) and vomiting.

At the above clinic, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:

– shortness of breath or feeling short of breath.

– pain or a feeling of heaviness in the chest or abdominal cavity.

– body aches,

– sudden dizziness.

– confusion of consciousness.

– severe or persistent vomiting.

– if the symptoms of the disease subside, but then recur with a high fever and increased cough.

If these alarming symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical attention .

PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK OF SEVERE FLU:

– pregnant women,

– persons 65 years of age and older,

– children under 5 years old,

– people of any age with chronic diseases (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease),

– persons with reduced immunity (for example, persons taking immunosuppressive (steroids, cytostatics) drugs, HIV-infected).

PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY AND SOCIETY

Sick people can be contagious from 1 day of illness to 7 days after the onset of the disease. Children, especially young children, can remain infectious for a longer period of time.

– Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief (tissue) when you sneeze or cough. Throw the handkerchief (napkin) into the trash can after use.

– Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands. It is in this way that microbes spread.

– Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

– Clean hard surfaces such as door handles with household disinfectants.

If you get sick, you can get sick for a week or more. You should stay at home and avoid contact with other people so as not to infect them, unless you need urgent medical attention.

Your doctor will determine the amount of necessary tests for influenza and determine the tactics of treatment, including whether you need to take symptomatic and antiviral drugs

TREATMENT

It is known that most people can get mild influenza and are able to recover without medical assistance. If you are sick, you should:

1. Observe bed or semi-bed rest; hygiene rules: frequent hand washing with soap, “cough etiquette”: cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a napkin, followed by its disposal, regularly ventilate the room.

2. Drink plenty of water (boiled water, slightly mineralized mineral water, cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks, unsweetened tea with lemon).

3. Before the arrival of a doctor, you can use the following medicines:

– Vasoconstrictor in the form of nasal drops to facilitate nasal breathing as needed;

Antipyretic and analgesic drugs , indicated at temperatures above 38.5 ° C and pain symptoms, taking into account the individual tolerance of specific drugs.The greatest evidence for efficacy and safety is for paracetamol and ibuprofen, including in children. Paracetamol is also the most preferred drug for treating fever in pregnant women. A single dose of paracetamol (acetaminophen) for adults is 500 mg, the frequency is up to 4 times a day. Ibuprofen is taken 400 mg 3-4 times a day by mouth after meals. Salicylates should be avoided under the age of 18 because of the possible risk of side effects.

90,000 “After covid, I turned into a wreck.” Why months pass, and people cannot return to their former life. What patients and doctors tell about the consequences of the disease

“The paralyzing weakness kills, which at one moment covers you, and you just physically cannot get up,” says 47-year-old Olga . She had been ill with coronavirus, and still has not recovered: either her legs and arms become alien, then she squeezes her chest, the taste has not yet returned, shortness of breath and fever haunt her.There are many like Olga. Covid survivors are joining communities to try to figure out how to go about their lives. Doctors often do not believe them, and there is still no rehabilitation after Covid-19.

“Pravmir” spoke with those who had been ill, who continue to struggle with their ailments for several months after the official discharge, as well as with doctors.

A severe course is most often associated with old age and reduced immunity – patients from risk groups usually end up in intensive care, they are connected to the artificial ventilation system.But even being discharged from the hospital does not mean that a person can consider himself healthy.

Most of the participants in the Italian study, conducted on 143 patients, describe the symptoms of ongoing malaise: fatigue, shortness of breath, pain in the joints and chest and other consequences that manifest themselves for more than 1 month after leaving the hospital. Only 12.6% of participants had no symptoms associated with COVID-19, while 32% had 1 or 2 symptoms, 55% had three or more symptoms.

At one point turned into a ruin

Olga Petrova, 47 years old, Moscow

Olga’s first signs of the disease appeared on March 23. But first, her mother fell ill, the symptoms were similar: a slight fever and a sore throat.

– Mom was hospitalized on March 27 in Kommunarka with already confirmed covid. For almost two weeks I had only low-grade fever and a sore throat. True, there were still severe headaches and unusual weakness.Then the temperature rose to 38 in two days and then stayed under 40 for a week. The clinic prescribed antibiotics, consoled that it was ARVI, since 5 PCRs were negative.

However, Olga’s temperature practically did not go down, shortness of breath began, the taste of food began to change. Ambulances redirected the call to the polyclinic, the polyclinic believed that it was ARVI, and did not hospitalize. The child and the husband fell ill. On April 7, Olga became very ill, the family called a paid ambulance – and at the same time, information about the confirmed coronavirus came.

– I was admitted to the 15th hospital in a serious condition, with shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation, with the defeat of six segments in one lung and seven in the other. As a result, the “cytokine storm” (“riot” of immunity, uncontrolled inflammation, leading to damage to the body’s own tissues) passed, all the time I was on constant oxygen. At that time, hospitals were not ready for such an influx of patients, patients were not assigned to doctors, so for each new doctor we were patients with no history.I was lucky to have a doctor on duty. On the second night in the hospital, she saw that I, in fact, was leaving, called the intensive care team, they did not dare to use mechanical ventilation right away, and she pulled me out all night. I kept it on my stomach, started up oxygen at maximum and morally supported. I remember her eyes and the words in the morning: “You are smart, you did it!”

Olga lived on oxygen for another week, but already seven days after admission, the doctors made a decision to be discharged.

– I never breathed on my own, without oxygen, the temperature was kept.No anticoagulants were used in the hospital at that time. In Kommunarka, they said that they have a lot of patients who come after ordinary hospitals. Thank God I got out on my own, many are being endured. After being discharged at the place of residence, I was told directly: “We ourselves do not know how to treat this covid. If you feel worse, call an ambulance. ” But she did not come, even when my temperature was under 40 degrees. I realized that free medicine does not have the resources and the opportunity to engage in rehabilitation after covid.

Olga turned to paid specialists, now she is being monitored by a paid pulmonologist, she has severe fibrotic changes in her lungs. Now the 4th month from the onset of the disease ends, formally the covid is gone, but all this time the temperature is jumping, subfebrile has become the norm. According to Olga, it was only at the beginning of June that she began to return to normal communication, and before that she was suffocating and could not speak for almost two months due to attacks of suffocation.

– In parallel, the body constantly “pleases” with new post-like manifestations, you do not know at what moment what will fall out – the legs and arms will become alien, severe pains in the back, chest, abdomen will appear.Until now, the taste has not fully returned. Now I work on willpower, I still have shortness of breath, and fever, and weakness, and a rash on my body.

A paralyzing weakness kills, which at one moment covers you, and you just physically cannot get up.

According to Olga, both the husband and the child still have the consequences of covid.

– Oddly enough, my 79-year-old mother had the easiest disease of all, although she has a long history of cancer and is at risk.Unfortunately, official medicine in Russia still does not recognize this side of covid, when you were formally cured and discharged, and “smart” doctors or advisers recommend treating your nerves and head, instead of developing serious rehabilitation programs for such patients.

In social networks, she found a group “Atypical coronavirus: sharing experiences.” According to Olga, if it were not for the support of those who have recovered from the disease, probably, “the roof would have gone.”

– I’m only 47.Before that, she was absolutely healthy and at one point turned into a ruin. It is hard both mentally and physically. Yes, I have always been strong and sane, there is support from my family, colleagues and friends, so I hold on and believe that I can handle it. And when I walk down the street and see crowds of people without masks, I want to say: “People – are you immortal ?!” But it is most striking when, after so many deaths and dire consequences, many say that covid is a story made up.

Lack of information and community of interest

According to therapist Vasily Kupreichik , the author of the sensational post on the treatment of coronavirus with anticoagulants, the medical community is skeptical about such interest groups.According to the doctor, among the most active participants in such groups are people with a hypochondriacal personality type, often with signs of anxiety disorder. Some patients are already recognized by doctors. These internet patients are known for being active outside of coronavirus groups.

– I associate the creation of such groups exclusively with the lack of good, clearly stated, scientific information on the network. People are forced to unite into communities of interest, – says Vasily Kupreichik.- However, such a group runs the risk of slipping into a pseudoscientific circle of interests, with its heroes and antiheroes. I have many examples of how patient communities go through different stages of development. I looked out of interest at the groups dedicated to the coronavirus. There is no more adequate information than on the pages of the yellow press.

People share that they measure the temperature 40 times a day, video links to the speeches of some incomprehensible professors, practices in the form of inhaling alcohol and other pseudo-scientific heresy, he continues.- I’m not talking about all sorts of recipes from “experienced” patients, what, how and in what doses beginners should drink. And all this would be funny if it were not so sad.

Can people have the effects of coronavirus infection? Yes they can. It is difficult to say what percentage of people with real complications will be in such groups.

– 2–4 months after the first signs of the disease, when a person seems to have recovered, but feels bad, some people find symptoms such as fatigue, fatigue, joint problems, someone begins to have problems with blood clotting, complications of the kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas.We can argue that this covid carries such consequences?

– A study on this topic was published in the well-known American magazine JAMA in early July. Patients were observed 60 days after the first symptoms of coronavirus and 36 days after discharge. 87% of people experienced at least one symptom (usually weakness or shortness of breath) from the entire list studied. But there is no research that these symptoms lasted up to four months.

I think half of the described symptoms fit well into the concept of deconditioning, that is, loss of condition due to either a long illness or post-traumatic stress disorder.According to statistics, the probability of PTSD in patients after suffering a coronavirus is higher than 50%.

“But 87% is a significant number.

– Information that 87% of people 60 days after the first signs of illness experience at least one symptom of complication is a very low methodological study. Because there was no control group, no comparisons, whether people who had suffered from severe flu, for example, experience these symptoms, whether people who were treated with such therapy or another experience them.How to interpret this information? No way, because it is heavily halved and has a high level of error.

The third month has gone – why is it so bad?

Anna Taubert, 38 years old, Dmitrov, Moscow region

Anna’s husband fell ill around May 10, and on May 20 she fell ill herself. Smell and taste disappeared, pressure surges began, general weakness, muscle pains joined in, fainting and panic attacks began.There were chest pains, pains in the heart.

– The ambulance did not accept the call, they only reacted to the high temperature and very serious conditions with severe shortness of breath. I had to go to the hospital myself, in the emergency department I was examined by a therapist. I had an ECG taken and sent to a cardiologist. Coronavirus was immediately suspected, as the sense of smell disappeared. They did not give me a PCR test for covid, they did not put me in the hospital. I myself, at my own expense, did the test later, so my antibodies were detected.After 3 weeks from the onset of the disease, I asked the therapist for a referral for CT. Although there was no indication for it, the blood did not show infection. On CT scan revealed the so-called “frosted glass”, focal lesion of the lungs of the 1st degree.

The therapist told Anna that it was a mild form of covid, there could be no worsening, prescribed an antibiotic and advised her to calm down.

– I, of course, drank the antibiotic, but I can’t calm down, because I have not completely recovered.

The third month has gone, but I still don’t feel like a healthy person.

I still have shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, light-headedness, pressure drops. It is especially bad when the weather changes. The cardiologist prescribed a serious drug that regulates blood pressure and heart activity. I passed the tests several times, they can send me into space. But why then do I feel so bad, because I have shortness of breath even at rest?

Breathing Exercise or Intensive Care?

Professor Pavel Vorobiev , Chairman of the Board of the Moscow City Scientific Society of Physicians, is a member of the Atypical Coronavirus group and advises its members.The moderator of the group confirmed that the doctor is one of the well-known experts, on whose words people are guided.

In an interview with Pravmir, Pavel Vorobyov said that “there are quite a few of those who have any consequences of their illness”.

– According to estimates, this is a fraction of a percent, – the doctor is sure. – Among them there are people with lung damage who need breathing exercises, and there are people with vasculitis, more precisely, thrombovasculitis (vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases of various origins, which are characterized by vascular inflammation, can be primary – caused by inflammation of the vessels themselves, and secondary – a reaction to another disease.- Approx. ed.) with damage to the nervous system. Basically, vasculitis is a common complication of respiratory infections. Few people note this connection, but it is well known. Vasculitis can affect a wide variety of organs and systems, so it is not surprising if other organs can be involved in these processes.

According to the professor, the disease “flowed like thrombovasculitis, and many of its symptoms were caused by it, and not by the notorious“ cytokine storm ”(cytokine storm is the reaction of the body’s immune system to the introduction of a virus, which leads to tissue and organ damage and possible death.- Approx. ed.).

– The current type of coronavirus has not gone very far from its counterparts: it is not very contagious and the mortality rate from it is not high (recall, the mortality rate of the new coronavirus is about 1% – this is significantly higher than that of seasonal flu (0.1%), but lower than a related SARS infection – atypical pneumonia (9%). The contagiousness (infectivity) of the new virus is higher than that of influenza and its predecessors – on average, one infected person can infect 2-3 people, and with very close contact, up to 35 people can be infected % human.- Approx. ed.).

Coronavirus mortality versus seasonal flu

– For those who have reliably recovered, the effects of covid make themselves felt even 2–4 months after the first signs of the disease. Most of the patients continue to find such symptoms as fatigue, fatigue, problems with joints, blood clotting, complications in the kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas. What can we say based on this?

– About the fact that most of it is clearly not so.First of all, the problems relate to disorders of the nervous system: the brain, peripheral and, apparently, autonomic. There is unexplained weakness, dysregulation of processes such as heart rate and heart rhythm disturbances, instability of blood pressure, unexplained short-term (usually) rises in temperature to subfebrile numbers or its decrease, numerous disturbances in the emotional background.

Pavel Vorobyov assured “Pravmir” that he hears more about functional disorders, which should be dealt with.This requires breathing exercises, a gradual expansion of the load. And the post-infectious “tail” is well known for any respiratory infection and is called “asthenia”.

– How to eliminate it is not yet very clear. Most doctors dismiss these problems, attributing everything to vegetative-vascular dystonia. However, it is necessary to collect scientific information regarding these processes, – said the doctor confidently.

However, earlier, in an interview with the Russia 1 channel, Professor Vorobyov said that “almost all patients have brain damage to one degree or another – such a covid encephalopathy.It has the character of vasculitis, that is, inflammation of the blood vessels. ” According to the doctor to the TV channel, “some patients develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare neurological disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly affects part of its peripheral nervous system), and some develop encephalitis.” He said that we are talking about serious serious illnesses, sometimes requiring intensive care. “We are now trying to develop a method for treating postcoid syndrome,” the professor said on television.

“Biochemistry is fine, you should feel good”

Tatiana Melnik, physician at the University of Minnesota , USA, believes that the truth is most likely in the middle. We do not know what covid is carrying in the long run because it is a new disease. There are people who recover completely, and they don’t write about it anywhere. Those with severe or moderate illness have much more problems, and they report it. There is a percentage of people who, even after a mild form, feel uncomfortable.It is difficult to say – is it a virus that gives such an effect or how we experience a virus and then perceive our body.

– We can only rely on data on other types of coronavirus – these are SARS and MERS. The first was discovered in 2002 in China, it passed through Hong Kong, Singapore, was brought to Canada and the United States. It is one of the closest relatives of the current coronavirus. And MERS came from the Middle East. Both of these viruses also affected the lungs, and mortality with them was much higher than with COVID-19.Those who had been ill with these viruses were examined several months and even several years after the illness. Almost half had symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and mental illness. Doctors have seen the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.

And with the current covid, the situation is still unclear, because we have literally only a few months of observations. Not so long ago there was a publication on this topic in Italy. A survey of hospitalized patients showed that after 2 months, about half of those who had recovered had several general symptoms that did not completely disappear.And more than 80% had either shortness of breath, or fatigue, or fatigue.

At the moment, it is known that the coronavirus also affects the brain. But how it works after that, we still do not really know. In severe patients in the acute stage, researchers observed problems with consciousness, symptoms of delirium.

“Isn’t delirium related to alcoholism?

– Delirium causes many problems: an acute infection, and abnormalities in metabolism, and respiratory failure with oxygen starvation.

Coronavirus can cause very serious consequences for the whole body. Therefore, patients with severe forms of covid recover for a long time. As for the experienced mild forms, at discharge, doctors tell patients: observe your own condition. It is possible that self-observation is a strong stress for the brain, which provides ground not only for anxiety, but also for physical manifestations.

What people feel is what they really feel, their feelings are absolutely real.

Saying, “Your biochemistry is fine, so you should feel good” is the biggest mistake a doctor can make. As I said, not everything can be explained by biochemistry. It is calming, but on the other hand, it does not explain the symptoms at all.

Some patients will be able to switch: “Actually, I’m fine, I just feel this way. I will work with this. ” Others will say the opposite: “You just don’t know what I need to be tested for.”And in part this may be true, since we all know little about this disease. But the option is still possible that it simply does not make sense to further examine. You need to accept – the state of health for some time will be like that, it is necessary, unfortunately, to learn how to cope with this and live on.

– How are the consequences of COVID-19 investigated?

– Patients are being monitored in many countries, including the United States. And our National Institutes of Health started a big study.They conduct surveys of patients about how they feel after covid. But for now, the main task for many countries is to help those people who are sick right now. The number of cases is still very high, so both money and human resources are devoted to enabling people to survive.

What is “cobtail”

Sometimes patients who have recovered from coronavirus develop a so-called cove tail. And the person is worried again: is he sick again? Or are the symptoms of covid just returning?

– So far there is no data in the world that either confirm or deny the possibility of a second disease.And for the syndrome of chronic fatigue, for example, a wave-like course is characteristic: better, worse, better. It is very difficult to say why this is happening, – says Tatiana Melnik. – And it’s not even the disease itself, but how the body copes with it. When we feel better, we try to move more. And for an organism that is not ready for this, it turns out to be something like a marathon. Attention is focused precisely on the symptoms, the feeling that it has become worse is quite seriously emphasized. And often very small deviations in the physical state of the brain perceives as large deviations.This becomes a wake-up call. Poor sleep and a lot of physical activity can contribute to anxiety.

However, for now, we can talk about these phenomena only from the point of view of those diseases with which we are already familiar. Chronic fatigue syndrome is very common after the transferred Epstein-Barr virus. With infectious mononucleosis, improvement can occur both gradually and in waves. Chronic fatigue can last for a year or longer, and it is very exhausting.

Thus, two factors are combined: the physical state itself and the anxiety it causes.

The wave-like course of deterioration fits very well into the logic of panic attacks, according to therapist Vasily Kupreichik. These are palpitations, sweating, fever, headache, fear of death, and even diarrhea.

– The other day I had a woman at a reception, she could not find a place for herself from fear.At the same time, she had excellent analyzes and antibodies a month ago were at their minimum values. But she does not sleep, does not eat because of anxiety. Good analysis arguments don’t work. At the reception, we undergo tests for anxiety, depression – the indicators are off the charts.

Why doesn’t the doctor believe us?

A third of seriously ill patients develop somatoform disorder, says Tatiana Melnik. A person is constantly focused on how he feels at the moment: how good he is, how bad he is, and on the interpretation of what is happening in the body.Going to the doctor, in general, does not give him anything, because the lungs are clean, the heart is working normally, the biochemistry is good. And he begins to think that the doctor does not believe him. He often starts looking for another doctor who hears him and finds a reason why he feels so bad.

– What to do, how to get out of this?

– Work with a psychologist to learn to live in peace with this condition. And gradually increase physical activity. And this is a very big and hard work, to which not everyone agrees.There are many people with such disorders, all their tests are absolutely normal, but they continue to look for the reason why something is wrong with them. And it is simply impossible to work with psychologists to drag them in. And they suffer very much.

You need support from a professional who will explain: your tests are excellent, but they do not explain your condition. Let’s work with your condition, you can learn to live with it. Patients have nothing to lose if they try to work with it. But support should come primarily from the doctor, concludes Tatiana Melnik.

If a patient has been treated in a hospital and then feels unwell, contacting a therapist should give him the opportunity to find answers to his questions. The general recommendation “Repeat CT scan in six months” is inappropriate if we are talking about a large number of people, says doctor Vasily Kupreichik.

– Not to take care of your health on your own, but to find a family doctor is the best advice. Let’s say you decide to go for a CT scan. You will be given an opinion, it will contain the difference between your lungs and the atlas of anatomy, which will be accompanied by terrible words in which you do not understand anything.This will generate anxiety.

– Speaking of a family doctor, do you mean paid medicine? Not everyone has money for it, is it possible to go to a therapist at your local polyclinic?

– I myself very often say: “Get to the doctor in the clinic.” I believe that first the system for which we all pay taxes should be worked out as much as possible. And only if this system fails and does not give us an answer to our questions, it is probably advisable to invest personal funds in health.But you must understand that the state health care system today is somewhat not geared towards solving the problems of patients who have suffered from covid. Now she has other tasks ahead of her.

– Personally, as a doctor, what consequences did you observe in your patients?

– Post-traumatic stress disorder and loss of physical condition, that is, general weakness. Often after the hospital there are antibiotic-associated colitis – diarrhea caused by antibiotics.

– Another scary information – are people who have had COVID more prone to blood clots?

– What is the catch here. The patients underwent a CT scan and saw changes in the lungs. And these changes were caused by pneumonia. When a doctor hears the term pneumonia, he immediately thinks about antibiotics. Because pneumonia in 90% of cases is always about bacterial damage to the lungs. And changes in the lungs after covid are not pneumonia in its purest form.

We take blood tests from a person and see that he has no signs of bacterial damage, but at the same time we see changes in the lungs on CT.And the doctor is at a fork. All world practice speaks of antibiotics, while the entire pathogenesis of the disease is as follows – the virus enters the body through special receptors that are on the vessels, damaging the microvascular bed, microvessels.

Because of this damage, two processes take place. The first process is where the virus damages the vascular wall to prevent bleeding, the body “clogs up” the damage with microthrombi. When you cut your finger to prevent bleeding, a blood clot should form.Here the same thing, only instead of a finger – a microvessel.

Second: due to the fact that the virus is a kind of hostile agent, the body begins to fight it in an attempt to get rid of it. And we get two parallel processes. Process number one is the formation of microthrombi due to the fact that the virus entered and damaged the microvascular bed. The second is the hyperimmune response to the presence of a virus in the body.

We cannot reliably say that someone will have blood clots, inflammation, and someone will not have either one or the other.We do not yet understand how who will have what. Maybe a person has some peculiarity in their genes, or it is connected with a blood group, or with some other factors. This is similar to how some people suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and others from oncological diseases, never having faced either diabetes or hypertension in their lives.

Microthrombosis of the microchannel, as well as a hyperinflammatory response – these pathogenetic aspects (in my opinion) lie in modern approaches to the treatment of coronavirus infection.And why the body goes crazy – we’ll find out later.

Covid does not pass without a trace

Therapist Tatyana Melnik , however, is sure that serious conditions after an illness cannot be attributed solely to psychosomatics. The physical condition must be monitored to rule out possible problems.

If shortness of breath persists 2 months after the illness, lung function tests are recommended. On a CT scan in the acute phase, doctors see inflammation in the lungs, which resolves within a few weeks.If a CT scan is done very quickly after recovery, you can see the same inflammatory changes that were there before.

– Fibrosis is irreversible changes in the lungs, and it is still unknown who will have pulmonary fibrosis after covid and who will not. The likelihood that fibrosis occurs after severe forms of covid is definitely there. Because at least several patients in the world had to undergo lung transplants precisely because of covid. And functional breathing tests will help determine the vital volume of the lungs, find out if there are obstructive or restrictive processes.

It is imperative to check diffusion, that is, the function of gas exchange of the lungs. Fibrosis often leads to a violation of this function, and in the case of low indicators, it makes sense to do a CT scan. If everything is in order with the lungs, the cause of shortness of breath may be atrophy of the respiratory muscles. This is most often observed in patients with severe forms of the disease.

– Sometimes we see changes in the work of the heart muscle, most often acute cardiomyopathy also develops after severe forms of covid.Therefore, you need to do an echocardiogram of the heart, check how it works. And of course, it is worth making sure that all changes in the biochemical parameters of the kidneys and liver, as well as in the blood tests that were observed during the illness, returned to normal. The same should be done for persistent symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue.

If all the indicators are in order, it is worth doing rehabilitation and working with a good psychologist. The condition of most patients improves over time, but many need the support of specialists at this time.The transferred covid, like other severe coronavirus diseases, does not always go unnoticed. But even with prolonged symptoms, there is hope for improvement and return to normal life.

Source: https://www.pravmir.ru/posle-kovida-ya-prevratilas-v-razvalinu-pochemu-prohodyat-mesyaczy-a-lyudi-ne-mogut-vernutsya-k-prezhnej-zhizni/?utm_medium= newsletter & utm_source = www.pravmir.ru & utm_campaign = pravmir-2020-08-03-pravmir-chto-mi-sdelali-vmeste-s-vami-v-iyule

90,000 How to distinguish colds, flu and novel coronavirus pneumonia?

What is a cold?

Features

Nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing, no apparent elevated body temperature, no obvious effect on physical condition and appetite, no severe headache, joint pain and general discomfort.In people with colds, the upper respiratory tract is affected, there is no threat to human life.

What is flu?

Acute respiratory viral infection caused by influenza viruses not only affects the upper respiratory tract, but also infects the lower respiratory tract, which leads to pneumonia. Influenza often spreads in winter and spring, there is influenza A and B.

Features

People with the flu have severe symptoms and fever, and the body temperature can rise to 39 degrees or more for one to two days.A person sick with the flu feels a headache, weakness, loss of appetite. For the elderly, children, obese people, pregnant women, and people with other medical conditions, influenza can cause severe pneumonia and even death.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia caused by a new type of coronavirus?

Patients with a mild form of the disease have only a low body temperature, cough, chills and malaise.

In patients with a severe form of the disease, in the first three to five days, there is a fever, cough and increasing weakness, the situation gradually worsens and turns into pneumonia and even severe pneumonia.In people with a severe form of the disease, breathing becomes more frequent, respiratory failure occurs, and some organs are damaged. If the situation deteriorates further, health support with a respirator or life support system may be required. The severe form of the disease is deadly. In cases of infection with a typical new type of coronavirus, a gradual progression of the disease is observed. In the second week, the patient’s condition worsens seriously.

How to determine an elevated temperature?

At rest, the body temperature exceeds 37.3 ℃

Subfebrile temperature – 37.3 – 38 ℃

Cardiothoracic temperature – 38.1 – 39 ℃

High temperature – 39.1 – 41 ℃

Ultra-high temperature – above 41 ℃

What to do if I have a headache, runny nose, cough and sore throat?

At temperatures below 38 ℃, you should be in home quarantine, notify the necessary structures in accordance with local regulations, observe the changes.You can take ibuprofen or other medicines as directed. If the condition worsens, first of all it is necessary to contact the medical center in the microdistrict. If the temperature exceeds 38 ℃, then you need to go to the clinic.

What to do if there are no obvious signs of fever, but the body aches, abdominal pain and diarrhea are present?

Currently, among the first signs of infection with a new type of coronavirus, an upset of the gastrointestinal tract should be noted.With diarrhea, you need to be under home quarantine, pay attention to food, drink more salt sugar solution. If the situation worsens, you must go to the hospital.

Should the patient continue to be monitored at home for fever and chest tightness?

If a high temperature is accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest, you should be extremely vigilant, go to the hospital as soon as possible. It is best to walk to the nearest medical center (wearing a mask, avoiding the elevator), take blood tests, do a CT scan of the chest, etc.

What to do if there was contact with patients with suspected coronavirus, but there are no signs of discomfort?

It is recommended to stay in self-isolation for 14 days, mainly to monitor changes in body temperature. It is necessary to measure the temperature during the day and in the evening. In case of fever and coughing within 14 days, you must contact the nearest medical center.

Source: Beijing Qingnian Newspaper, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Overheating and sunstroke

Summer is a wonderful time of the year: time for vacations, out-of-town walks, opportunities for outdoor recreation.Going to the cottage or the beach, many people spend their days under the scorching rays of the sun, forgetting that it can not only warm, but also severely punish those who abuse its generous rays.

What are the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun?

Excessive exposure to the sun is unsafe and can lead to a sharp deterioration in health associated with overheating of the body. In the risk group, first of all, there are children and the elderly, as well as people suffering from diseases of the circulatory system and metabolic disorders (thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, etc.)).

The cause of health problems is a violation of thermoregulation. Body temperature depends on the ratio of the processes of heat generation in the body and the transfer of heat to the external environment. When the ambient temperature rises to 25-300C, high air humidity, prolonged exposure to the sun, the release of heat becomes difficult, which leads to overheating of the body. This is also facilitated by inappropriate clothing (synthetic, dark colors, excessively warm), physical activity, violation of the drinking regime, and the absence of a headdress makes it possible to develop sunstroke.

What are overheating and sunstroke?

Overheating is a state of the body in which, under the influence of external thermal factors (including solar radiation), an increase in body temperature occurs, accompanied by pathological changes in various functions of the body.

The first symptoms of overheating are: increasing weakness, lethargy, a feeling of fatigue, drowsiness, headache, thirst, redness and moisture of the skin, increased heart rate and respiration against the background of normal body temperature.

As the victim’s condition progresses, the temperature rises (up to 39-400C), headache increases, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting appear, sweating increases. The pressure decreases, weakness of the heart develops, breathing becomes short and becomes irregular. Short-term loss of consciousness (fainting) and seizures are possible.

A characteristic sign of a serious condition is the cessation of perspiration. The skin becomes dry, breathing is rapid and shallow, the pulse is quickened, and blood pressure drops.If you do not give a person first aid, a fatal coma can occur.

Sunstroke is damage to the central nervous system (brain) as a result of direct sunlight on the head. It is important to know that sunstroke can occur not only during exposure to the sun, but also after 6-8 hours.

Signs of sunstroke: general malaise, feeling weak, fever, facial redness, headache and dizziness, tinnitus, “flashing midges” before the eyes.There may be nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and breathing, increased sweating, nosebleeds.

In more severe lesions, a severe headache appears, the temperature rises to 40-410C, blood pressure drops, loss of consciousness, respiratory distress and convulsions may occur.

In hot weather on the street, in a stuffy room or transport, fainting may occur without prior overheating or being uncovered in the sun. The onset of fainting is usually preceded by a light-headed state: weakness, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, numbness of the arms and legs.Often everything is limited to this, but it happens that a person turns pale, becomes covered with cold sweat, the limbs get cold and he loses consciousness.

The ability to provide first aid in case of fainting, overheating and sunstroke can save the victim’s life. The main thing is not to get lost and do everything quickly and correctly.

Emergency care for overheating and sunstroke

• Move the victim to a cool, shady place and lay on his back, placing a roller made of improvised materials (for example, rolled clothes) under his feet to improve blood flow to the head.
• Unbutton your clothes, loosen the trouser belt and tie knot.
• Provide complete rest and access to fresh air (an additional fan can be used in the room).
• If the victim is conscious – give cold water to drink (if possible, salted at the rate of 0.5 teaspoon of salt per 0.5 liters of water) or strong iced tea.
• Put a cold compress (wet towel) on your head or dampen your head with cold water.If possible, wrap the victim with a damp sheet or gently pour cool water over him; apply ice or bottles of cold water to the head, axillary, groin and popliteal areas.

In more severe cases, when the victim is unconscious and there are breathing problems, it is necessary to check the patency of his airways. Having found that the tongue is fused, and there are vomit in the mouth, it is necessary to turn the victim’s head to one side and clean the mouth with a bandage or handkerchief wrapped around your finger.

If breathing is weakened or absent, call an ambulance, and before its arrival, perform artificial respiration (in the absence of a pulse, and indirect heart massage).

In the presence of ammonia, you can let the victim inhale its vapor, which will help activate the respiratory center.

To provide qualified medical care, the victim must be delivered to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition, hospitalization can be carried out in the therapeutic or intensive care unit of hospitals.

Preventive measures for overheating and sunstroke

To prevent overheating of the body, it is enough to observe the following recommendations:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun: try to plan your day so that you go outside in the early morning or evening hours, if this is not possible, stick to the shady side of the street.
• Before going outside, use special cosmetics (creams, gels, lotions) containing sunscreen factors.Remember: the higher the protection indicated on the sunscreen bottle, the longer it protects the skin.
• Try to wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, mostly made from natural fabrics.
• Be sure to wear a hat.
• Observe the drinking regime, take a bottle of water with you. The best option is to use still drinking water, cold unsweetened tea, natural fruit drink. The use of packaged juices and sugary carbonated drinks not only does not reduce, but also increases thirst.

• In hot weather, it can be helpful to have a water bottle and a spray bottle with you to spray your face and hands.

• When going to sunbathe, do not apply decorative cosmetics, creams and alcohol-containing lotions to the skin, which can cause photosensitivity of the skin (increase its sensitivity to sunburn, lead to the formation of persistent age spots).

REMEMBER! Neglecting the rules of exposure to the sun is dangerous for your health!

Authors: Simonenko T.I. – Head of the Department of Prevention, Healthcare Institution “4th City Polyclinic”,

Editor: Yu.M. Arskiy

Computer layout and design: Lagun A.V.

Responsible for the issue: I. I. Tarashkevich

Symptoms that may occur after vaccination against COVID-19 are named

MOSCOW, Dec 3 – PRIME. About 10% of patients vaccinated with the world’s first registered Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine (created by the Gamalea Institute) may experience fever, chills, weakness or nausea.

Mortgage rates in Russia can be reduced to four percent

According to RIA Novosti, another 1.5% of patients may have stuffy nose or stuffed up in their throat, says the memo with recommendations that are issued in Moscow to vaccinated citizens.

As follows from the manual, in most cases this vaccination is well tolerated by patients. But if you feel unwell, do not worry: this is a normal individual reaction of the body. Also, the appearance of symptoms may indicate the formation of immunity to the coronavirus.

For those who develop weakness, malaise, general fatigue and nausea, doctors recommend reducing their physical activity and giving themselves some rest.

Clarifies that about 5.7% of patients may experience:

• body and muscle aches,
• chills,
• hot feeling,
• headache,
• temperature is above 37 degrees.

“At a body temperature above 38 degrees, it is recommended to take antipyretic and pain relievers (paracetamol or ibuprofen), and if the body temperature is above 39 degrees and does not decrease within four hours after taking medication, you must call a doctor,” the memo says.

Another 4.7% of patients after vaccination have pain, itching, swelling and redness at the injection site.

As a rule, treatment is not required in this case, but patients can take antihistamines to reduce swelling and discomfort.