COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, starts when a person is infected with the virus. This typically happens through close contact with an infected person who releases small water droplets containing the virus when they cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can then enter the nose, mouth, or eyes of someone nearby.
The virus then enters the body and starts replicating, leading to the development of symptoms. Symptoms can appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure, with a wide range of severity, from mild to severe illness.
Common early symptoms include:
- Low-grade fever
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of taste or smell
It's important to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, and some may have no symptoms at all.
The COVID-19 virus was first discovered in Wuhan, China, in 2019, and its origin is still under investigation. However, it's widely believed to have originated in animals and jumped to humans.
