Individuals often experience new bodily changes, leading to questions about their connection to illnesses like COVID-19. Understanding the virus’s symptoms is important for recognizing when to seek guidance. Many symptoms overlap with common respiratory conditions, making exact diagnosis challenging without evaluation.
Drainage as a COVID-19 Symptom
Drainage, including nasal discharge and watery eyes, can occur with COVID-19. Nasal congestion or a runny nose is a recognized symptom, noted more commonly with certain variants like Omicron. This discharge can be clear, whitish, yellow, or green. The virus can irritate the nasal lining, leading to inflammation and increased mucus production.
Post-nasal drip, where mucus drains down the back of the throat, is also a possible symptom of COVID-19. This can sometimes lead to a persistent cough. Additionally, watery eyes, alongside symptoms like redness or itching, can be an eye-related manifestation of COVID-19, often referred to as conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” While these forms of drainage can be present, their occurrence alone is not definitive for a COVID-19 diagnosis, as they are also common in other conditions like allergies or the common cold.
Accompanying COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 presents with a broader range of symptoms that often accompany or appear independently of drainage. Common indicators include fever or chills, a new continuous cough, and fatigue. Many individuals also report muscle or body aches, headaches, and a sore throat.
A notable symptom is loss or change to the sense of smell or taste. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. While symptoms can vary in severity and may be influenced by factors like vaccination status, these collectively form a more complete clinical picture of a potential COVID-19 infection.
Next Steps and Medical Consultation
If you are experiencing drainage along with other symptoms suggesting COVID-19, testing is important to determine the cause. At-home antigen tests are readily available and provide rapid results. If your initial antigen test is negative but you have symptoms, repeat the test after 48 hours, or consider a more sensitive NAAT (PCR) test for confirmation.
If you have symptoms, especially a fever, stay home and limit contact until symptoms improve and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication. For those at higher risk of severe illness, like older adults or those with underlying health conditions, contact a healthcare provider early, as antiviral treatments may be an option. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, or inability to wake or stay awake.