Has My COVID Turned into Pneumonia?

Stillfeeling run down afterfrom COVID-19?Have you gotten new symptoms? If your COVID symptoms have remained longer than anticipated or even gotten worse, you may have developedCOVID pneumonia.But how can you know if your COVID has turned into pneumonia or if youre experiencing allergies, the flu, ora cold? Lets explore thecommonsymptoms of these illnesses and the differences to look for.COVID and COVID PneumoniaCOVID SymptomsCOVID-19 is a respiratory illness that's caused by SARS-CoV-2.Individuals with the virus may exhibit severe symptoms or they may be asymptomatic, making this virus difficult to diagnose on your own.Luckily, doctors officesperformCOVID tests and pharmacies even offer take-home tests, so you canquicklydetermine if you have the virus.Some common symptoms to look for in COVID include:FeverCough (dry)Body achesHeadacheFatigueNausea or vomitingDiarrheaNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseMany of these symptoms are also characteristic of a cold, the flu, pneumonia, and even allergies.

However, there is one symptom that could indicate that you have COVID over another illness: new loss of taste or smell.As many as67% of individuals with COVID-19experience loss of smell.If you exhibit any of these symptoms, its best to be safe and get a COVID test to determine if you have the virus.COVID Pneumonia SymptomsCOVID pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that occurs in individuals as a result of COVID-19.Typically, this pneumonia only affects those who experienced severe COVIDsymptoms, which is about15% of total cases.COVID pneumonia is most common in seniors, especiallyseniors over 85.Like traditional pneumonia, this type of pneumonia causes inflammation in the lungs.

As a result, the air sacs within the lungs fill with pus, making it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen with each breath.Unlike traditional pneumonia, COVID pneumonia affects both lungs andtends to be more severe than traditional pneumonia.To learn more about identifying traditional pneumonia, refer to our guide: Identifying and Treating Seniors with Pneumonia.Individuals with COVID pneumonia may experience the following symptoms in addition to their COVID-19 symptoms:Rapid heartbeatLow blood pressureQuick breathingDizzinessHeavy sweatingShortness of breathIfyou haveorrecently had COVID and experience these symptoms, see a doctor right away.COVID pneumonia may cause long-term lung damage, so its important to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.COVID pneumonia can be diagnosed by a doctor based on your symptoms, blood tests, or even CT scans.Has My COVID Turned into Pneumonia?So, to answer the question Has my COVID turned into pneumonia?, heres a quick checklist you can follow.

If the majority of the items below apply to you, then you have likely developedpneumonia as a result of your COVID.Age 65+Experienced severe COVID symptoms (perhaps you were hospitalized)Havesome COVID symptoms AND some pneumonia symptomsIs It Something Else?If you dont have COVID pneumonia but are feeling under the weather, you could be suffering from something else.Most COVID symptoms clear up between2 and 4 weeks.But if you are still under the weather after that time frame, you could have a cold, the flu, allergies, or another illness.Lets dive into some of the common symptoms of the cold, flu, and allergies.Cold SymptomsWeve all had a cold before.While unpleasant, a cold is usually a minor infection and isnt dangerousor life-threatening.

Symptoms of the common cold include:SneezingCough(wet)Sore throatCongestion or runny noseWhile these symptomsoverlap with those ofCOVID-19,you will notice that there are several symptoms missing.With the common cold, its rare to get a fever, experience exhaustion, have shortness of breath, or get diarrhea.Additionally, you will show symptoms ofa cold within1 to 3 days of exposure.Symptoms of COVID may not manifest until up to 2 weeks after exposure.If you do have a common cold, you should recover within a week without requiring medical attention.Flu SymptomsThe flu can also exhibit symptoms similar to COVID-19and the common cold.

This infection, however, is amoreserious respiratory illness than a cold, and it can evenbe fatal.Common flu symptoms include the following:High feverHeadacheFatigueBody achesSore throatCoughCongestion or runny noseAlmost70% of flu casesresult in a fever, making this symptom a key indicator of the flu.Additionally, exhaustion will usually manifest itself as one of the first symptoms of the flu, while it may come on later with COVID.Individuals with the flu are also more likely to experience a severe headache than those with COVID.Like the common cold, the incubation period of the flu is 1 to 3 days after exposure.If you suspect that you have the flu, your doctor can perform a flu test to confirm the diagnosis.Allergy SymptomsAllergies are the bodys reaction to foreign substances like pollen, pet dander, etc.The body tries tofight theforeign substanceand get it out.As the immune system works hard, you may notice the following symptoms:Congestion or runny noseSneezingCoughShortness of breathHeadacheAllergies do not result in a fever or body aches, so if you experience those symptoms, you can rule out allergiesand look to one of the illnesses previously mentioned.You most likely wont have a sore throat either.Allergies also appear right after you are exposed to the foreign substance and can last as long as you are exposed.ConclusionSo, your COVID may turn into pneumonia if you had severe COVID symptoms and you develop new symptoms, including low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, quick breathing, etc.

However, COVID pneumonia is not common among moderate and mild cases of COVID.If you still feel under the weather after a mild or moderate case, you may have a cold, the flu, or allergies.Its important to carefully assess your symptoms and visit with your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and to get the right treatment plan.If you or a senior loved one has COVID pneumonia, we are here to help.Our caregivers are specially trained in infection control and pneumonia to ensure that each senior gets the care they need while preventing the spread of COVID.

We can help coordinate care with other healthcare professionals, perform errands, help around the house, and ensure that seniors remain healthy and safe at home.Reach out to us today to learn more!