Overlapping symptoms make Cov diagnosis difficult without tests
Times of India | 4 June 2025
Kolkata: The overriding symptoms of Covid during the current surge were a low-grade, persistent fever, along with a mild cough, which could be deceptive, warned doctors. While it made a vast majority ignore the symptoms and take over-the-counter medicines, for some, the fever refused to subside. It was the continuing fever that led many to consult physicians. Most of those testing Covid positive on admission to hospitals for other ailments were also screened at hospitals due to their fever.Covid cases have been rising in Bengal over the past week. The state logged 319 cases in the past seven days, taking the number of active cases to 331 on Monday.Unlike the first three waves, when Covid came with loss of smell and taste, accompanied by high fever, severe cough and pneumonia, the symptoms of the current spike were muted and flu-like, said doctors. With a runny nose and a sore throat, symptoms in most were milder than that during the pandemic, said CMRI pulmonology director Raja Dhar. "Mild symptoms led many to ignore it, which could be risky at a time, when cases are proliferating. One should get tested, and if the result turns positive, the patient should isolate, especially if there are elders in the family. Screening should be stricter for elderly people with comorbidities, and if the fever and cough persist beyond four to five days, hospitalization is advised as symptoms could worsen quickly," said Dhar. CMRI has seven Covid patients admitted.Manipal Hospitals infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty agreed. "The symptoms are flu-like, but for some, the fever persists. Those patients are getting tested, and many tested positive. While severe cases have been rare so far, rising numbers could lead to a spurt," he added. Five Covid patients, admitted to Manipal's different units, have been discharged.Covid pneumonia has been rare this time, said Charnock Hospital pulmonologist Soumya Sengupta. "Most patients have a cough and low fever. Even the elders in hospital who tested positive have muted Covid symptoms. Most are being treated for their comorbidities. During the pandemic, a vast majority of senior citizens had severe Covid symptoms, including pneumonia," said Sengupta.Dhar pointed out that the Jn.1 variant of the Omicron, now believed to be in circulation, was highly transmissible though less virulent. "But it is safe to isolate yourself for five days on testing positive and take symptomatic drugs. Symptoms are likely to remain mild till this wave blows over in about a fortnight. But even mild Covid may aggravate comorbidities, especially those related to lungs," he said.