Shortness of breath can be a symptom of coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know
Along with fever and a dry cough, shortness of breath can be one of the key symptoms of coronavirus, but how much do you really know about it?
A healthy adult breathes in and out about 20 times a minute, or about 30,000 breaths a day, WebMD reports. Exercise or strenuous activity might cause you to breathe harder, but if it’s chronic or happens for no reason, you may have a problem — such as coronavirus.
More than 680,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 31,000 deaths as of March 29, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 124,000 confirmed cases with more than 2,100 deaths.
The World Health Organization has declared coronavirus a global pandemic. The United States has declared a national emergency.
Here’s what you need to know about shortness of breath.
How does the virus attack the lungs?
The COVID-19 virus inflames the mucous membranes of the lungs, which damages the alveoli that supply oxygen to the bloodstream, The New York Times reports.
“If you get swelling there, it makes it that much more difficult for oxygen to swim across the mucous membrane,” said Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, chief clinical officer for the Providence Health System, according to the publication.
The swelling can cause fluid, pus and dead cells to accumulate in the lungs, further impairing breathing and putting the patient at risk for pneumonia, The New York Times says.
How do you know if you have shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath basically refers to unexpectedly feeling out of breath or winded, Harvard Medical School says.
Known medically as dyspnea, it’s often described as an intense tightening in the chest, difficulty breathing, breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation, the Mayo Clinic says.
“It was a case of going to bed, waking up and not being able to breathe,” said Connor Reed, who is recovering from the virus in England, Sky News reports.
“What got me kind of nervous was when my chest started to feel like, you know, an elephant was standing on (it) basically tough to get your breath,” said coronavirus patient Chris Kane of Washington, NBC News reported.
When should you seek medical help?
If you find you are breathing harder or having trouble catching your breath each time you exert yourself, you should check with your doctor, Harvard Medical School advises.
Call 911 if you have sudden, severe shortness of breath, especially if you also have nausea or chest pains, says WebMD.
What else can cause shortness of breath?
Anxiety, allergies and other ailments, such as asthma or heart problems, also can cause you to feel out of breath from time to time, Harvard Medical School says.
So can exercise, higher altitudes, extreme temperatures or obesity, the Mayo Clinic says. In healthy people, the feeling normally passes quickly.
If shortness of breath is your only symptom, with no fever or dry cough, you probably don’t have the COVID-19 virus, according to the site. But you should still be checked by a doctor to find the cause if it’s a recurring problem.
What are the other symptoms of coronavirus?
Coronavirus symptoms can show up in as few as two days after exposure or as many as 14 days, Business Insider reports. The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.
Some patients may have diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort a few days before developing respiratory symptoms, although it’s not common, according to the publication.
Other symptoms may include fatigue, sore throat, headache, joint or muscle pain, chills and a runny nose, Business Insider reports.
Most people with a mild case of COVID-19 feel better after a few days, but some develop severe breathing problems requiring hospitalization, according to the publication. Death can occur when fluid builds up in the lungs.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Shortness of breath can be a symptom of coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know."