The Difference Between Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary Symptoms of COVID-19

It's no secret that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused an unprecedented pandemic. One of the most alarming aspects of this virus is how it can cause respiratory illnesses—such as pneumonia and bronchitis—as well as extra-pulmonary (i.e., outside the lungs) symptoms. In this blog post, we'll look at the differences between pulmonary and extra-pulmonary symptoms of COVID-19 and why these distinctions are important.

What Are Pulmonary Symptoms? 

Pulmonary symptoms refer to those that affect the respiratory system, such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. These symptoms have been commonly associated with COVID-19 due to the virus’s ability to attack cells in the lungs; however, not all patients experience these more common pulmonary symptoms.



What are Extra-Pulmonary Symptoms?

 

Extra-pulmonary symptoms refer to those that occur outside of the lungs or respiratory system. These could include headaches, dizziness, loss of taste or smell, gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or vomiting, skin rashes or changes in skin coloration (particularly in the hands or feet), confusion or difficulty concentrating, or even neurological issues like seizures. While some experts believe that these extra-pulmonary symptoms may be caused by a “cytokine storm” – an immune response triggered by certain viruses – other researchers think they may be due to direct viral invasion into other organs outside of the lungs.


Why Is Knowing The Difference Important? 


Knowing which type of symptom you have can help you get proper treatment for your condition and ensure that you are taking steps to protect yourself from further complications. For instance, if you are experiencing pulmonary symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath then it is important to seek medical attention quickly since these can be signs of more serious health problems related to COVID-19 such as pneumonia or bronchitis. On the other hand if you are only experiencing extra-pulmonary symptoms such as headache or confusion then it may not be necessary for you seek immediate medical attention unless your condition worsens over time. No matter what kind of symptom you have it is always best practice to limit your contact with others and take steps to protect yourself from further infection such as washing your hands frequently and wearing a face mask when out in public settings.


Conclusion:

 

With so many different types of potential COVID-19 related illnesses it is important for everyone to understand the difference between pulmonary and extra-pulmonary symptoms so that they can take proper precautions for their own health depending on what kind of symptom they have experienced. Additionally understanding these differences can help people make more informed decisions about their care options if they do test positive for SARS CoV2 . By educating ourselves on both pulmonary and extra–pulmonary COVID–19 related illnesses we can become better equipped to protect our loved ones from potential complications while also ensuring that we get proper care if needed!


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