5 signs you may have already had coronavirus.

There’s still so much we don’t know about COVID-19.

As Australia’s infection rate races towards 4000, community transmissions have become the firm focus as health authorities try to flatten that ‘curve’.

At the first sign of the virus you should seek medical advice but is it possible you may have already had a mild case of it - perhaps after an overseas trip?

These are the symptoms of coronavirus - some are familiar, the others are lesser-known.

Well known

1. Dry cough

A dry persistent cough is a classic sign of coronavirus.

‘Dry’ means it has no phlegm or mucus. It would usually last half a day.

2. High temperature

Another common symptom of coronavirus is a high temperature.

That’s around 37.7 degrees for adults and children.

If you don’t have a thermometer ask someone to feel your chest - if it’s unusually warm, it’s worth seeking medical advice.

3. Shortness of breath

This could be a really serious sign that you have had or have coronavirus. Sometimes this happens without a cough.

Your chest would be tight and you can’t breathe deeply.

Lesser-known

4. Loss of taste/smell

If you lost your sense of taste or smell and didn’t have a cough or fever, you may have had coronavirus.

There’s a belief from medical experts that this could be because the virus enters through the eyes, nose and throat.

This was reported by The British Association of Otorhinolaryngology.

5. Stomach ache

Some coronavirus patients have reported a stomach ache before other symptoms kicked in.

Digestive issues have also been present in some COVID-19 cases - diarrhoea and vomiting.

This was reported in a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.END=GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.31/3/2020.

How can you tell the difference between the coronavirus, the flu, a cold or seasonal allergies? Credit: Sam Aitken, 7NEWS

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Some are mild, such as the common cold, while others are more likely to lead to pneumonia.

The latest strain was discovered in the Chinese province of Wuhan.

How do you get coronavirus?

China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.

It’s primarily spread through a sick person coughing or sneezing on someone but a person could also become infected through contact with the virus particles on a surface, NSW Health warns.