Symptoms of novel coronavirus infection are usually a dry cough with no sputum. The vast majority of patients will also have fever, malaise, and progressive dyspnea, but these symptoms are not specific and are very similar to the common cold or influenza, making them difficult to distinguish from symptoms. To confirm a diagnosis of novel viral infection one cannot rely on symptoms alone, but must do pathogenic testing.
For people with no clear history of exposure, with mild symptoms such as fever and dry cough, it is recommended to first isolate oneself at home, with proper nutrition, and if the symptoms subsequently improve, it means that there is no infection and there is no need to go forward for testing. If the clinical manifestations gradually worsen without any signs of improvement, you should promptly visit a fever clinic in each area and follow the doctor’s instructions to first have a lung CT and routine blood tests. If the symptoms are consistent with viral pneumonia, further pathogenic testing should be done to confirm the diagnosis.