Covid 19 testing can be done by taking nasopharyngeal or nasal or throat swab. At times, the saliva samples can also be collected.
The most common signs and symptoms of Covid 19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. The less common symptoms of Covid 19 are sore throat, aches and pains, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, loss of taste or smell, headache, a rash on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes. The serious symptoms of Covid 19 include shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, pressure or pain in the chest, and loss of speech or movement.
The risk factors for Covid-19 include close contact with someone who is already infected with Covid-19 or coming in contact with droplets from cough or sneeze by a Covid-19 infected person.
The medical illnesses that can increase the risk of serious illness from Covid-19 include heart diseases, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, smoking, chronic kidney disease, sickle cell disease, weakened immune system, and pregnancy.
The complications of Covid-19 include pneumonia, organ failure, heart problems, acute respiratory distress syndrome, blood clots, acute kidney injury, additional viral and bacterial infections.