Prevalence of COVID symptoms, their severity and duration: a gender based analysis

Authors

  • Abhishek Kumar Mishra Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2084-1416
  • Chhaya Mittal Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Tanveer Bano Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Arun Kumar Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Ganesh Singh Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Anglica Kanaujia Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Niharika Verma Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213553

Keywords:

COVID-19, Post COVID symptoms, Cross sectional study, nCoV, SAR

Abstract

Background: COVID -19 is the most important public health problem of recent time. Approximately (60%) of those infected develop symptoms. Study is needed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms, their severity and duration, secondary attack rate and COVID-19 appropriate behaviour for prevention and control of infection. The aim was to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms, secondary attack rate and COVID-19 appropriate behaviour of infected person.

Methods: Present cross sectional study was done among patients who recovered from COVID-19 in Meerut district. After obtaining mobile numbers of patients, they were asked about their experience about pre-COVID, COVID and post-COVID period. Total 100 patients were contacted using simple random sampling and information was collected on predesigned Google form.

Results: Out of total respondents 98% developed one or more symptoms. Fever was reported to be most common problem (72%) followed by body ache (62%). Most classified their symptoms as mild and moderate (36% and 43% respectively). There was no statistically significant difference for duration and severity of illness based on gender. While 21% categorized their symptoms as severe and very severe. All 100% patients followed COVID-19 appropriate behaviour post infection frequent hand washing and use of sanitizer being the most common behaviour (79%). Other commonly followed COVID-19 appropriate behaviours were use of face mask (68%), maintaining distance of more than 6 feet (65%).

Conclusions: COVID-19 symptoms are common among patients but are usually less severe. Most of the patients are following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour to lessen burden of infection to others. Results also highlight the need of early testing to reduce infection in family members.

Author Biography

Abhishek Kumar Mishra, Department of Community Medicine, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

COMMUNITY MEDICINE 

TUTOR

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Published

2021-08-27

How to Cite

Mishra, A. K., Mittal, C., Bano, T., Kumar, A., Singh, G., Kanaujia, A., & Verma, N. (2021). Prevalence of COVID symptoms, their severity and duration: a gender based analysis. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(9), 4463–4469. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213553

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Section

Original Research Articles