As an epidemiologist, I spend most of my waking hours interviewing people who are #COVID19 positive, suspect cases, & close contacts. Here’s some info on the #symptomatology I’m seeing.

(NB: We’re not yet re-interviewing people post-recovery to capture all late-onset sx.)

1/

#Onset symptoms are all over the map, & can include diarrhea, nausea, runny nose, congestion...things that don’t immediately make people think #COVID19 (so STAY HOME with ANY symptoms)
The most common sx at onset is a cough (usually dry), but that’s only half of cases
2/

Only a third of cases are reporting fevers within 24h of onset
Headache, fatigue, and/or sore throat at onset are reported in over 20% of cases
Myalgia and/or chills are also not uncommon
3/

Symptoms throughout illness are likewise all over the map
Cough is most common, but still reported in under 90% of cases
Fever is only reported in about 60% of cases
Headache, myalgia, and chills are each more common than actual fever
4/

Over half of cases report shortness of breath (sometimes in absence of cough)
Fatigue is also very common at about 80% of cases
2/3rds of cases report cold-like sx (sore throat, runny nose, and/or congestion) at some point during illness
5/

Confirmation of reports of more surprising sx:
Almost half of cases have GI symptoms, most commonly diarrhea (41%)
Fully half of our cases are reporting sudden loss of taste or smell, often both, unrelated to congestion, & sometimes at onset, even in absence of other sx
6/

TL;DR:
Ppl have #COVID19 *without* fever or cough
Fatigue, headache, diarrhea are more common than ppl think
Don’t leave home with ANY symptoms, even seemingly benign ones like runny nose
Be alert for loss of taste or smell
#COVIDsymptoms #coronasymptoms
#anosmia