Coronavirus: 3 major signs that your COVID-19 is turning dangerous

Most coronavirus infections (about 80%) tend to be milder in nature and the ones who are infected may recover well under care. However, for the remaining cases, the virus tends to cause symptoms that could be severe, and may even impact vital functioning.

For most people, COVID-19 symptoms start off in the same manner. However, the severity is most likely noticed by Day 5, for those susceptible to the same.

The severity induced in cases for most people happens due to the cytokine storm, which causes the immune system to unleash lethal autobodies which turn on the healthy cells. For some, the severity could be factored to their genetic predisposition or liable comorbidities.

Nonetheless, what most doctors believe is that timely medical help can save lives. It's also important to learn and recognize the symptoms which can turn your mild COVID-19 case into a severe one. Oxygen deprivation, breathlessness, vital organ complications can all be serious warning signs that one needs to be hospitalized.

According to Dr Mathew Varghese, St. Stephens Hospital, Delhi and an eminent scholar, the severity and the warning signs of severe COVID-19 could be recognized in the initial week of infection onset and hence, timely intervention is critical.

Apart from a dip in oxygen levels, chest pain or breathlessness, these are also some potential warning signs to check for in the initial days, which can predict the severity of your disease:

Fever remains to be the most classic sign of the infection. As the virus mutates, it has become evident that fever alone may not be present in all cases.

However, for those who do have a fever, a low-grade rise in body temperature, which doesn't come down after 4-5 days becomes a matter of concern. As per Dr Verghese, during the first seven days of infection, a COVID+ patient needs to be extremely careful of how long the fever lasts. If they record a fever that seems to come back, a day or two after settling down, or if a patient records new fevers (without having them in the first place), medical attention may be needed.

Uncontrollable fever or a fever that lasts for more than 6 days at a stretch with COVID-19 could signify additional concerns or the virus's attack on the healthier tissues caused by the inflammation. This is also the reason why Days 5-7 are considered crucial markers for COVID patients since this is the timeline when cytokines spread.

You can have a strong, irritating, persistent cough with COVID-19, that doesn't seem to be going away. If at all, a patient experiences a sensation of a deep, hacking cough, which produces zero phlegm, it may be a warning sign that your lungs and the respiratory organs are acutely infected. Persistent cough, accompanied by shortness of breath, irritation could also be signs of pneumonia, which is an infection of the tiny air sacs in the body. A dry cough, which produces no phlegm is also very typical with COVID.

Another pressing symptom to watch out for during the recovery period is any kind of chest discomfort.

A sensation of pain, disturbance, or congestion, at any point of time from the start of symptom onset shouldn't be taken lightly. While COVID predominantly attacks the upper respiratory tract, experiencing any congestion, burning sensation, wheezing when you exhale or sharp shooting pain around the chest is a sign that the virus is spreading along the lower respiratory tract as well and turning severe.

These symptoms should be watched out for from the earliest days because if not, they can cause severe infection, fuel respiratory distress and prolong the recovery timeline.