According to Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, the national medical director at One Medical, red flag symptoms include shortness of breath and trouble breathing.
“What we always say is if someone is actually having trouble breathing, so they’re actually gasping for breath, that would be an ER visit,” Bhuyan said.
When you have COVID, there’s a phase when the virus is quickly replicating, followed by an inflammatory response phase when your body fights off the virus, explained Dr. Mahdee Sobhanie, an infectious diseases physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “And … sometimes that inflammation can affect other places, and the one we always worry about is the lungs.” If you have COVID and notice you’re struggling to catch your breath when you’re walking, sitting down or talking, it’s a reason to go to the ER, he noted.
Sobhanie also noted that chest pain is another red-flag-symptom that should trigger an ER visit. The same goes for blue-ish colored lips, Madad said.
If you have a pulse oximeter at home (or a smartwatch that informs you of your oxygen saturation) and you notice that your oxygen level is low, you should seek medical help, according to Sobhanie.
Problems like lightheadedness, confusion or dizziness require immediate medical attention as well. “Some of the really concerning symptoms … maybe someone in your household has COVID, and now they’re confused or they’re not making sense or they’re disoriented, I think those are reasons to go to the ER,” Bhuyan said.
Finally, pay attention to high fevers over 103 degrees Fahrenheit. A high fever can sometimes warrant an ER visit, but oftentimes can be managed by your primary care provider, Bhuyan added. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to seek help right away as a precaution.
If you are high-risk, you should contact your doctor as soon as you test positive.
These COVID Symptoms Mean You Need Medical Attention
