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COVID-19 symptoms
COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include: Fever Chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle aches Headache Loss of sense of taste or smell Sore throat Stuffy or runny nose Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea This is not a complete list of possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new variants of the virus. Some people may have no symptoms at all. Many have only some, but not all of the symptoms. Symptoms can also vary, depending on whether you are vaccinated. Symptoms may develop within 2 to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. Most often, symptoms appear around 5 days after exposure. However, you can spread the virus even when you do not have symptoms. More severe symptoms that require seeking medical help right away include: Trouble breathing Chest pain or pressure that persists Confusion Inability to wake up Blue, gray, or pale skin, lips, face, or nail beds, depending on your skin tone Older people and people with certain existing health conditions have a higher risk of developing severe illness and death. Health conditions that increase your risk include cancer, COPD, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, a weak immune system (immunocompromised), and many others.
Considerations
Some symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of the common cold and the flu, so it can be hard to know for sure if you have the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But COVID-19 is not a cold, and it is not a flu. The only way to know if you have COVID-19 is to be tested . If you want to be tested, you should contact your health care…
Causes
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can affect people and animals. They can cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses. COVID-19 spreads to people within close contact (about 6 feet or 2 meters). When someone with the…
Home Care
If you have COVID-19 or think you have it, stay at home and avoid contact with other people , both inside and outside your home, to avoid spreading the illness . You should do this right away and not wait for any COVID-19 testing. To help treat the symptoms of COVID-19 , the following tips may help. Rest and drink…
When to Contact a Medical Professional
You should contact your provider right away: If you have symptoms and think you may have COVID-19 If you have COVID-19 and you are in a group for whom antiviral medicine may be given If you have COVID-19 and your symptoms are getting worse Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have: Trouble breathing Chest…
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will ask about your symptoms, any recent travel, and any possible exposure to COVID-19. Your provider may take swab samples from the back of your nose and throat. If your symptoms do not indicate a medical emergency, you can recover at home. For more serious symptoms, you may need to go to the hospital…
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Testing for COVID-19. www.cdc.gov/covid/testing/ . Updated June 25, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Types of COVID-19 treatment. www.cdc.gov/covid/treatment/ . Updated July 12, 2024. Accessed July 24, 2024. Centers…
This is a summary. Read the full article at www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org (reviewed 22/02/2023).
This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.