Three signs you may have had Covid already without noticing

The World Health Organisation has said that over 190 million people have contracted Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in 2019.

However, with so many cases circulating in the community, some people may likely have had the virus without noticing.

Covid can affect different parts of the body and cause some general symptoms that could have a variety of other causes, and of course, some Covid patients may never experience any symptoms.

Although there is no sure way to know if you have already had Covid, some symptoms may be an indication.

Shoppers on Grafton Street during the Christmas sales in Dublin’s City Centre. (Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Here is everything you need to know:

Pink eye

Covid is thought to enter your cells through receptors for the enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. The virus enters these receptors by tricking your body into thinking it’s the enzyme.

These receptors are found in various parts of your eyes, such as the retina and the cells that line the white of your eye and eyelid.

Some people with Covid develop eye symptoms such as:

• Dry eyes
• Pink eye
• Swelling
• Excessive tearing
• Increased eye secretions

These symptoms are often accompanied by typical Covid symptoms but may appear alone.

Loss of taste or smell

This symptom is commonly reported in people with Covid.

Some also experience a distortion of these senses. Symptoms affecting taste or smell seem to often appear before other symptoms.

If you experienced a loss of taste or smell, it could indicate that you had Covid without knowing.

Fever

A fever can be caused by a variety of illnesses that people experience.

However, with the high level of Covid spreading through the country, a fever may have been the only symptom you developed of the virus.

Although there is no definite way to tell if you had Covid or not by this symptom alone without a test.

Long Covid

Some people who develop Covid have symptoms that persist for weeks or months after their infection. These symptoms are known as long-haul symptoms.

Experts do not know why some people develop long-haul symptoms, but it’s thought long-term tissue damage and inflammation may play a role.

Some indications of long Covid symptoms include:

• chronic fatigue
• trouble breathing
• brain fog
• chest or joint pain
• lingering headaches
• lingering cough
• heart palpitations
• muscle pain
• smell or taste dysfunction
• gastrointestinal issues
• other heart issues