Coronavirus: Here's why Day 5 to 10 are so crucial for COVID positive patients

Even though there's a scathing rise in infections, the majority of COVID-19 cases tend to make healthier recoveries.

However, as new of a disease it is, there exist chances that even the mildest coronavirus cases may go from manageable to worse. While it's possible for people to experience different, unpredictable symptoms during the first wave of infections, the pattern of the disease, once it turns serious, can be quite consistent.

This is also the reason why days 5-10 of the 14-day recovery period are considered super important, and often considered the days to watch out for during the recovery timeline.

Even if most COVID-19 cases are mild in nature and could be well-managed at home, there's a pertinent need to monitor and evaluate symptoms after Day 05 of the onset of symptoms. If you are someone who is in the middle or his/her recovery, or has recently tested positive, here's what you need to remember:

The initial days of infection can be quite confusing; many people experience very mild symptoms or are even asymptomatic. However, it's only through day 5-10 that the actual severity of your infection can be determined.

According to experts, days 5 to 10 of your isolation period can also shed light on the likelihood of the complications you may suffer post COVID, and hint at the actual severity of your infection.

As mentioned above, the first days post symptom onset could feel differently for different people, and generally considered a reaction to the viral infection.

However, in what is marked as the 'second wave' of infection, the immune system produces voracious antibodies to root out the infection, sometimes, it can get overstimulated and cause its worsening, which can start from day 6 or 7. That's the time when the actual COVID battle begins for many people.

After the initial symptoms, things can seem like they are plateauing, stabilizing for some, before being hit by a phase of secondary worsening.

Days 5-10 may be the time when the intensity of symptoms can be more severe. Some can also feel like they are starting to get better, only to be hit by a worsening spell of symptoms. This may also be the time when the warning signs of hospitalization, such as a dip in oxygen saturation levels, delirium, increasing fever could strike. Patients can also expect a worsening of respiratory symptoms, experience discomfort, heaviness, breathing issues. Hypoxia, the critical condition when oxygen levels go too low without other visible symptoms could also occur in the second phase of infection.

Underlying causes, age can all be important factors which determine your infection severity and prognosis. From what doctors have repeatedly suggested, people suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, immuno-compromising conditions have the highest risk of being hit by seriousness.

With reports of early-stage lung involvement seen right now, even young and healthy patients, need to be cautious. Getting timely chest scans, X-rays and crucial blood work are important, and should not be ignored.

Again, severity of COVID-19 can be a serious cause of concern and may even turn fatal. Thus, timely action on the symptoms, detection and taking the next steps is important.

Serious COVID-19 cases, as we are seeing right now during the second wave of infections, need proper care and hospitalized support. Therefore, stay in touch with your medical care provider, keep tracking your symptoms (even if they do seem to feel less worse than before) and get help.

Depending on your symptoms, COVID treatment plans may involve the use of supplementary oxygen therapy, experimental drugs (to reduce inflammation) or block the virus from cause more damage.