New Delhi: Apple Inc has been making headlines ever since the launch of the brand-new iPhone 16 line and the new Apple Watch and AirPods 4. And talk of the health features, from monitoring heart rate to body temperature, over the years, Apple devices have aced it all. In the past, the Apple Watch played a role in detecting arrhythmias and heart attacks – sometimes even predicting the event long before it occurred. And now, the device is said to be capable of detecting even the flu.
How does Apple Watch detect flu or Covid?
Conventionally, people are accustomed to relying on a headache or a scratchy throat, or fatigue for diagnosing the flu or a cold. But Apple Watch can detect it and even Covid before symptoms start to appear. A new app in the device by the name of Vitals collects data on wrist temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels to diagnose health conditions. Users of the device will receive notifications along with context on what could be driving the same, such as the use of medication to deal with symptoms or health problems.
Upon noticing subtle changes in the body, Apple Watch owners will be notified about health problems such as COVID-19 or flu. Users have noted that Vitals show that their wrist temperature was higher than normal for three consecutive days along with breathing rate and heart rate, and this was three days before coming down with a flu. Apple Watch users have shared screenshots as well and confirmed how the app was accurate in terms of sharing data.
What are the initial symptoms of Covid?
The initial symptoms of Covid are:
- Fever
- Loss of taste and smell
- Cold
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Muscle pain
