What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Is it like the flu? How can you tell them apart?

Question

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello Ma'am, In fact, the symptoms resemble those of the flu, except that in the case of do coronavirus, some patients have difficulty breathing. We are starting to get a little more insight into the expected progression of a coronavirus infection. So here's how an infection usually progresses: After being infected, it takes an average of 5 days before the person develops the first symptoms (sore throat, cough, fever); About 7 days later, a portion of infected people (about 10%) will be sick enough to need to see a doctor; For an even smaller amount of people (especially the elderly or people with a lowered immune system), they will need to stay in the hospital for care. Of these, a small portion will need to be hospitalized in intensive care. Good day! Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist P.S. Recent information from China shows us that some patients may also have digestive symptoms when an infection occurs (stomachache, diarrhea). The guidelines in Quebec have not yet changed (we don't screen people who only have digestive symptoms) and it would be unlikely to change. In fact, the most serious consequences of infection are when infected people start having difficulty breathing.