Doctors see COVID-19 spike with new symptoms. Here’s what they’re seeing

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) – Doctors have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases nationally through the summer months, but the symptoms look different this time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the back-to-school season COVID-19 activity is adding to the increase, even though overall respiratory illness remains low.

“We’re still seeing people with fevers, cough [and] upper respiratory-type symptoms, but a lot of people are coming in with gastrointestinal symptoms – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes to the point of mild dehydration,” said Dr. James Black, medical director of emergency services at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany.

Black said COVID-19 and the flu are behind many of the illnesses doctors are treating right now. He said it is too early to know exactly what’s driving the change in symptoms or whether it is a new variant.

“It’s hard to say, but as most viruses do, it mutates. So, I’m certain that it’s changed from what we have seen in the past,” Black said.

Black said the word “COVID” can still carry weight for families, six years after the pandemic began. He said what doctors are seeing now is closer to the original form of the virus.

“Certainly coronavirus, which has been around for a long time, way before COVID-19, is still present,” Black said. “And it’s been causing illnesses for years prior to COVID-19 and even beyond. So, we’re seeing it kind of revert back to its formal form, where it caused those upper respiratory symptoms and sometimes the gastrointestinal systems.”

With schools back in session, Black said families should stay alert, but not alarmed.

“I don’t want anybody to be afraid,” he said. “You treat the symptoms, you control the fever, make sure people are taking in adequate amounts of fluid and nutrition.”

Black recommends the standard precautions: frequent hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes. He said there is no set quarantine period for keeping kids home from school.

“Good rule of thumb is — I would hold people out of school until they’ve been without a fever for 24 hours,” Black said.

He said most symptoms can be managed at home.

“Certainly, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with the fever and the body aches,” Black said. “Again, if those things aren’t working, then certainly come in to see us.”

Black said people should seek emergency care if they develop extreme shortness of breath or can’t keep fluids down.