Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, public health groups, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), continue to monitor the pandemic and post updates. The following is up-to-date general information on COVID-19, or the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, including symptoms, prevention, and treatment.*

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 generally appear two (2) to 14 days following exposure and can be mild or severe. Early signs may include a loss of your senses of smell and taste. 

Common symptoms can include:

• Fever, muscle aches, and chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care immediately:

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

Who is at a higher risk?

Older adults have a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, along with those who smoke, and those with chronic medical conditions, including (among others):

• Heart, lung, or kidney diseases
• Cancer
• Diabetes 
• Obesity 
• Compromised immune system
• Pregnancy
• Hypertension

What causes COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which spreads quickly and easily among people through droplets expressed when someone with the virus breathes, speaks, sneezes, or coughs.

These droplets can be inhaled, or absorbed through the mouth, nose, or eyes of people within six (6) feet (or two (2) meters) of the infected person. Tiny droplets can remain in the air for several minutes to several hours.

While the risk is low, the virus can also be transmitted on both hard surfaces and textiles, including:

• Light switches, doorknobs, and faucets
• Counters, banisters, and windows  
• Clothing, towels, and bedding

What health complications can the virus cause?

Most people with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms, but for some, the disease can cause severe medical complications, especially for those at higher risk due to age or underlying health conditions. 

Complications may include, but are not limited to:

• Pneumonia and breathing issues
• Multiple organ failure 
• Heart problems
• Blood clots
• Acute kidney injury (AKI)
• Additional infections

If I get the vaccine, do I still have to wear a mask?

The FDA-approved vaccines currently being administered are the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Vaccine boosters are also available from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna  A vaccine may prevent you from contracting the virus, or prevent serious illness if you do contract it. 

The WHO and CDC recommend that people who are vaccinated and boosted continue to take the following precautions:

• Wear a mask when out in public.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 
• Avoid sharing dishes, towels, bedding, and other items if you’re sick.
• Disinfect high-traffic surfaces like doorknobs, counters, light switches, and phones. 
• Stay home from work, school, etc. if you’re sick. 
• Avoid public transportation, taxis, and ride-sharing if you’re sick.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

To test for the virus, a healthcare provider takes a nose swab or throat swab, a sample from which is then sent to a lab for testing. Sputum (a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract) may also be sent for testing. FDA-approved, at-home COVID-19 virus tests are also available with a doctor’s prescription.

How is COVID-19 treated?

The antiviral drug remdesivir (Veklury) is being used to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and hospitalized children aged 12 and older. Several drugs that have been authorized for emergency use in certain circumstances include:

• Baricitinib (Olumiant), a rheumatoid arthritis drug
• Bamlanivimab, a lab-created protein antibody
• A drug that combines two antibodies, casirivimab and imdevimab

Other treatments include:

• Corticosteroids
• Plasma therapy
• Mechanical ventilation

Supportive care through fluids, pain relievers, and cough syrup may also be provided. There is currently no available cure for COVID-19, though research is ongoing. 

What if I have mild symptoms? 

If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend that you self-isolate, monitor your symptoms, and avoid activities and situations that could spread the illness to others. 

In this scenario, it is best to:

• Stay in a separate part of the house from loved ones.
• Wear a mask when you’re around people.
• Eat healthy meals.
• Stay hydrated. 
• Get plenty of rest.
• Get physical exercise. 
• Stay socially connected through technology.

If your symptoms worsen, make an appointment with your doctor or local health clinic.

How can I prepare for my appointment?

If you think you have COVID-19, tell your doctor or clinic before going in. When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance. It helps to make a list of:

• Any symptoms you’re experiencing, even those that seem unrelated 
• Everyone you’ve recently been in close contact with
• Your recent travels (domestic and international)
• Major stresses, life changes, and family history
• All medications and supplements, including dosages
• Any questions you have for the doctor

You may want a friend or family member to accompany you, but you should first check to see what the facility’s visitor restrictions may be. 

*Mayo Clinic. (2021, Mar. 3). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963 

Much about the novel coronavirus, i.e., 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 there may occasionally be some lag between scientific developments and our revisions. 

This content is only meant to serve as information and should not, in any way, be taken as medical advice. Patients should discuss all issues regarding vaccines, treatment, symptom management, and other condition-related factors with their physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making a decision regarding their care.