If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, you may be wondering whether it is possible that you have COVID-19. Cases of COVID-19 have been reported as being high during the winter respiratory illness season ever since the pandemic. Because of this, is it safe to assume that COVID-19 is here to stay. So, how do you know if you have COVID-19 and is it possible that COVID-19 could be causing you to have a dry cough? Learn more about 2024 COVID-19 symptoms. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for same-day illness diagnosis and treatment without the need to book an appointment in advance.
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Do COVID-19 Symptoms Change?
In 2019 and 2020, COVID-19 caused hundreds of thousands of deaths due to respiratory illness. However, COVID-19 is caused by a virus which means that it is continuously changing and adapting. Since the pandemic, COVID-19 symptoms have become generally less severe and the death rate has fallen significantly. This is because the virus has mutated and become less deadly over time. As a result, the symptoms of COVID-19 have changed over time since 2019.
Much like the flu, which is also caused by a virus, COVID-19 has mutated to different strains every winter respiratory illness season so far. This has resulted in the symptoms of COVID-19 changing. In 2024, COVID-19 symptoms have been mild and similar to a cold. In some cases, COVID-19 can cause a fever. COVID-19 can cause a dry cough, although it can also cause additional symptoms.
Symptoms of COVID-19 in 2024 include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Cough
- Chills or body aches
- Congestion
- Sore throat
- Runny Nose
- Fever (in some cases)
Should I Get Tested for COVID-19?
If you are experiencing mild illness symptoms, it may be tempting to just power through them and resume with your daily activities. However, viral infections like COVID-19 are extremely contagious. They can spread from direct contact with an individual, as well as through the air and via surfaces like door handles and faucets in public places. As a result, it is always important to self isolate and get tested if you are feeling sick.
Although COVID-19 is much less likely to cause serious or life threatening illness in 2024, it can still pose a risk to those with compromised immune systems including the elderly, young children and anyone with underlying heart or lung conditions. Seeking medical diagnosis not only will help you better monitor your symptoms, however, it will also help you make responsible decisions regarding the health of those around you.
Can You Get COVID-19 More Than Once?
During the winter illness season, it isn’t uncommon for people to fall ill with a variety of common winter illnesses. COVID-19 is one of these illnesses. It is important to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the coordinating booster vaccines to help your body build up immunity to COVID-19. This will prevent you from developing severe illness from COVID-19. Although you are immune for a short period of time after you get COVID-19, it is possible to catch COVID-19 multiple times in the same year because of how contagious it is.
COVID-19 seems to be causing many symptoms that align with common illnesses such as the common cold and the flu. As a result, it may be difficult to determine whether you have COVID-19, or another illness. It is important to seek medical diagnosis, even if you just had COVID-19.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for Walk-In Illness Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re experiencing illness symptoms such as a dry cough, it is important that you seek medical diagnosis and treatment. Even though COVID-19 is unlikely to cause severe illness in most healthy adults, COVID-19 is incredibly contagious and still poses a risk to anyone who is immunocompromised. At AFC Urgent Care Stoneham, our walk-in clinic offers rapid COVID-19 testing 7 days a week from 8am-8pm.
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Our clinic maintains short wait times, making it faster and easier than ever to get illness diagnosis and treatment services. Our medical staff is fully board-certified and able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of common illnesses. We have a laboratory on-site, allowing us to get the results of your diagnostic tests quickly. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer cost-effective treatment options for patients paying directly for their care. Walk in today, or call the clinic directly for more information at (781) 279-4000.
