How to Tell if You Have a Mild Coronavirus?

Yeditepe University Hospitals Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof.Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu explained the symptoms of those who undergo the coronavirus unconsciously or mildly.

While the fight against the coronavirus continues all over the world, the increase in the number of deaths cannot be prevented. On the other hand, it is said that the number of people who undergo the disease unconsciously or with mild symptoms is quite high.

For this reason, tests are being developed for those who have undergone the disease mildly to detect people who have become immune in many countries, especially the USA. Yeditepe University Hospitals  Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu explained the points of curiosity about the subject.

How do we know if we have mild Covid-19? Is such a test possible?

The 20-49 age group suffers from Covid-19 disease most intensively in the community. However, only 15-20 percent of this group has symptoms that are severe enough to apply to the hospital.

In those who have mild symptoms or completely asymptomatic patients, antibodies start to appear after a week and can be detected after 2 weeks. Asymptomatic patients are detected in the scans made when there is a positive patient at home. These patients develop antibodies and gain immunity.

What are the symptoms of a mild case?

The most important symptoms in these people are fatigue and back pain. However, although fewer, complaints such as cough and chills, stomach pain, and diarrhea can be experienced.

Will there be any damage to the organs in these cases?

In those with mild symptoms, the damage is almost non-existent.

Can someone who had Covid-19 catch it again?

In response to this question, based on our theoretical knowledge, we say “yes, it can happen.” When we look at the information about nearly 2 million cases seen in the world from 31 December 2019 to 15 April 2020, antibodies were detected in up to 30 percent of the patients after recovery.

However, these antibodies appear to be at low levels. We obviously don't know how much power a low-level antibody has to destroy the virus.

Therefore, it should be thought that those who had it once can undergo it again, and as long as the pandemic continues under these conditions, social distancing should be paid attention to and other protective measures should be strictly followed. Our current knowledge is theoretical, and the disease needs to be monitored for another 6 months.