5 Stages of Covid-19 Infection [Do You Know Them?]

Do you know the symptoms of Covid-19 virus? Learn and remember the 5 different stages of Covid-19 infection that could save your life.

Covid-19 virus has killed 82, 074 people (last updated on the 8th of April 2020) and infecting over 1.4 million people worldwide. Why there seems to be no end in this fight against the highly contagious virus? No doubt the virus is insidious but still it is not airborne (yet), meaning that we can still contain it if right measures were taken. However we humans do not give a damn...until it is too late, right? So the least we can do now is stay at home if possible until (hopefully) this Covid-19 virus has no one else to infect.

On top of being "trapped" in our very own homes, it is also important to stay vigilant and always be on a lookout of any unsuspecting signs. We need to be aware if anybody exhibit any symptoms of the infection. It could be your neighbours, your family members or even you, yourself. Early detection could save life. Even though currently there is no specific medications to help combat the virus, anti-malaria drug has been proven to be effective to prevent the infection from worsening. This goes to show that EARLY DETECTION saves lives. The following are the 5 stages of Covid-19 infection:

5 Stages of Covid-19 Infection

STAGE 1-TESTING POSITIVE WITHOUT ANY SYMPTOMS

In this stage, you can still perform your daily routines without feeling unwell or amiss. So in this stage you are actually infected but you are asymptomatic.

STAGE 2-TESTING POSITIVE WITH ONLY MILD SYMPTOMS

In this stage, you will start exhibiting symptoms such as dry coughs, being feverish and feeling lethargic. At this stage, the risk of you infecting others is very high.

STAGE 3: DEVELOPING PNEUMONIA

As your condition worsens due to severe Covid-19 infection, you will start to be complicated by pneumonia, hypoxemic respiratory failure, sepsis and septic shock.

STAGE 4: HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTY & NEEDING OXYGEN SUPPORT

In this stage, you will suffer from shortness of breath. 1 out of 6 individuals infected with Covid-19 will suffer from serious breathing difficulties.

STAGE 5: REQUIRES VENTILATOR & INCUBATION

In this stage, you will need to rely on a ventilator to breathe. In other words, you will no longer be able to breathe on your own without life support.

Do not let it be your regret!

Do note that those with pre-existing medical problems such as hypertension, diabetes and low immune system are more likely to be severely affected by the Covid-19 infection. In fact this group made up 67% of deaths in Malaysia. Other high risk groups include old age people and smokers. So please be aware of the stages of infection to detect the infection earlier to save the lives of those around you be it your parents who are old and even you, yourself.

Images credit: Shutterstock