Getting to Know Malaise, One of the Mild Symptoms of Covid-19 Patients

KOMPAS.com – Transmission corona virus the cause of Covid-19 is still being reported in Indonesia. This disease is caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which has infected 28.9 million people worldwide.

Signs and symptoms Common coronavirus infections include acute respiratory problems such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Meanwhile, the average incubation period is 5-6 days with the longest incubation period of 14 days.

Reported Kompas.com, (7/9/2020) Symptoms and the incubation period for each person can vary. There are at least three classifications symptoms of Covid-19, that is:

• Symptoms light
• Moderate symptoms
• Severe symptoms

Also read: Symptoms of Covid-19, Fever First or Cough First? Check Out the Results of This Study

Quoting Questions and Answers Regarding Corona virus compiled by the Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia, USAID, and Germas, May 2020, one of the mild symptoms of a corona virus infection is Malaise.

The term sounds strange to the general public, considering that besides Malaise, the other mild symptoms of Covid-19 are quite easy to identify, among others:

• Fever more than 38 degrees Celsius
• Cough
• Throat Pain
• Nasal congestion

So, what is Malaise?

Epidemiologist from Australia’s Griffith University Dicky Budiman explained, although it sounds foreign, malaise is actually a term that is common in the field of medicine.

“Malaise is feeling lethargic, weak, weak. What can you do to be lazy because you don’t have the energy. It is a response that the body is in a situation fighting infection,” said Dicky when contacted. Kompas.com, Sunday (13/9/2020).

He explained, malaise is a form of body defense reaction. The goal is for the body to rest and be able to concentrate on fighting the incoming threat.

“Malaise is not only in Covid-19. All infectious diseases generally experience these symptoms,” said Dicky.

Different malaise and fatigue

However, Dicky added, there is a difference in the definition of malaise and fatigue, or what in English it is called fatigue.

“Fatigue is extreme fatigue, lack of energy, lack of motivation. It is different from malaise, which describes feeling tired in general. Because it is called feeling, it is subjective,” said Dicky.

Then if someone feels malaise, when should he do a test to detect the presence of the corona virus?

“Just looking at his behavior, say in the last two weeks, there is no risk. For example, rarely wearing masks, often gathering, eating close together, traveling together, including traveling by public transportation,” said Dicky.

So, Dicky said, a person can measure himself whether he is at risk of contracting Covid-19 or not.

Also read: What are the Symptoms of Loss of Smell in Covid-19?

Which must be done…

If you feel the symptoms of malaise, and the behavior history in the last two weeks is indeed a high risk, then Dicky suggests taking action immediately.

The first thing, which must be done is, resting yourself in their respective homes, be it at home or in a boarding house. Don’t go home.

“After that he can contact health workers, or inform his office that he is feeling pain. Then make an appointment with a doctor for examination,” said Dicky.

He said, regarding the Covid-19 examination, it could not be done suddenly, unless you really felt severe pain, such as shortness of breath and had to receive treatment at the ER (Emergency Room).

“Generally in Indonesia, if there is malaise it is accompanied by smell disturbances. He cannot smell strong odors, for example eucalyptus oil. If he does not have a cold and has difficulty smelling, then there is a strong suspicion of being infected with Covid-19, but he has not been diagnosed,” he explained. Dicky.

Also read: Like These Symptoms are Mild, Moderate, and Severe in Covid-19 Patients