Many people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2, or the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), do not experience any symptoms. Other people experience mild symptoms and can self-isolate at home, while others have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. 

Older, frail adults and people with serious underlying medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney diseases or diabetes appear to be at higher risk for developing dangerous complications from the illness. It’s important to know what signs to look for and who may be at greater risk, so you can take the appropriate precautions.*

What are the most common symptoms?

COVID-19 symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after you’ve been exposed to the virus. Patients have reported a wide range of symptoms, some of the most common being: 

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to update the list of COVID-19 symptoms as more information becomes known.  

When should I seek emergency medical attention?

Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone close to you is experiencing:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent chest pain or pressure 
• New confusion
• Inability to wake up or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

This list is not exhaustive. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility, and let them know that you are calling about a potential case of COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider about any symptoms that are severe and/or causing you concern.

Is it the flu or COVID-19?

Both COVID-19 and the flu are contagious, potentially life-threatening respiratory illnesses caused by viral infections. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, and the flu is caused by influenza viruses. 

Patients may experience similar symptoms, but some differences between the two illnesses are that COVID-19:

• Appears to spread more easily than the flu 
• Can take longer to become symptomatic 
• Can cause people to remain contagious for longer

Due to the similarity of symptoms between the flu and COVID-19, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two based solely on your symptoms.

It’s important to remember that experiencing COVID-19 symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. A test is needed to confirm it. To be safe, however, it’s best to take all recommended precautions to limit further exposure and avoid potentially infecting others. 

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, Feb. 22). Symptoms of Coronavirus. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Much about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is still not fully understood. As research progresses and our knowledge of the virus increases, information can change rapidly. We strive to update all of our articles as quickly as possible, but some “lag” may occur between scientific developments and our revisions.