Are severe fatigue, headache and shortness of breath symptoms of COVID-19 infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father has had extreme fatigue for the last 10 days. He has headaches and shortness of breath sometimes not very heavy. No other symptoms like fever, etc. When we visited a doctor 10 days back, he asked to get COVID-19 tested, which we did by HRCT scan but negative. With that report again, we consulted another doctor seven days back. In the blood test, there is mild diabetes (232 after breakfast). We have been using medicine since then but fatigue is not going off. So we consulted a doctor again and he asked us to perform a CBC test. In the test, we see CPR 42, a WBC count of 11900, and a mild decrease in RBC count and hemoglobin. Also, hematocrit is also a little less. The doctor did not give any medicine and said there is some infection hence suggested for COVID test again (RT PCR). What should we do because the symptoms are not matching and it has already been 10 days from the fatigue and there is no development of symptoms? Also, all family members are doing just fine.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your father's concern. Following is my opinion about your asked question. In the attached report (attachment removed to protect patient identity) hemoglobin, RBC (red blood count) and HCT (hematocrit) are borderline low. So do not worry about that. Noted that your lymphocyte count is borderline low. Fatigue is also present. Headache and difficulty breathing were present. So although COVID-19 possibility is less but still in this pandemic it is better to get investigated for COVID-19 by RT PCR for the last time. I am telling this sentence because sometime in the early phase of infection RT PCR might not be positive. Sometimes result can be false negative as well. Your father has high sugar as well. So rule out COVID-19 by RT PCR from nasal swab for the last time. Meanwhile, I advise him to take Vitamin C plus Zinc combination tablet daily. Advise him to take Becosule like multivitamins, and B-complex tablets as well. Give him 3 liters of water per day. If fatigue persists for another ten days then revert back to me. I will then suggest some other tests for fatigue.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Your reports are mild. No need to worry much. Start treatment as suggested and give him healthy good immunity booster foods. Revert back with the PCR report once done. Meanwhile, additionally, I suggest you purchase a pulse oximeter and measure the oxygen of your father at home. If the oxygen level falls below 94 % then inform your doctor.

Thank you.