COVID-19: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment Tips

COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe and may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Some people have no symptoms but can still spread the infection.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of taste or smell
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

COVID-19 symptoms often resemble those of the common cold or flu, making it difficult to tell these illnesses apart without testing. Loss of taste or smell can occur with COVID-19 but is not a reliable way to distinguish it from other respiratory infections.

Although many infections are mild, COVID-19 can sometimes lead to pneumonia, breathing difficulties, or other serious complications. Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain chronic conditions are at greater risk.

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, difficulty staying awake, or pale, gray, or blue-colored lips, skin, or nail beds.

COVID-19 spreads primarily through infectious respiratory particles released when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The risk of transmission is greater in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor spaces. People can spread the virus even if they have no symptoms.

Vaccination is an important way to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19, hospitalization, and death. The CDC recommends the annual COVID-19 vaccine for adults ages 18 and older and for children ages 6 months through 17 years with moderate to severe immune suppression. For other children, vaccination is recommended through shared decision-making with a healthcare professional. Recommendations may vary depending on age, medical conditions, and vaccination history.

Other ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer
• Improving indoor ventilation and air filtration
• Wearing a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor settings or around people at higher risk
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Avoiding close contact with others when you are sick

The CDC recommends staying home and away from others when you have respiratory symptoms. You can return to normal activities when your symptoms have been improving overall for at least 24 hours, and you have been fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours.

For the next five days, take additional precautions, such as wearing a mask, improving ventilation, and avoiding close contact with people at higher risk of serious illness.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, testing can help determine whether you have the infection. At-home rapid antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies and can provide results within minutes.

A positive test generally indicates a COVID-19 infection. However, a negative rapid antigen test does not completely rule out COVID-19, particularly early in the illness. If you have symptoms and test negative, the FDA recommends repeating the antigen test 48 hours later. Molecular tests, such as PCR tests, are another option.

Most people with mild COVID-19 can recover at home. Supportive treatments include:

• Getting adequate rest
• Drinking fluids to prevent dehydration
• Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, headache, or body aches, if appropriate
• Using saline nasal sprays or other symptom-relief measures as needed

Over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms but do not treat the virus itself.

People at higher risk of severe COVID-19 may benefit from prescription antiviral medications. These include nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), which must be started within five days of symptom onset, and remdesivir (Veklury), which must be started within seven days.

These medications can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in eligible patients. However, they are not appropriate for everyone, and some may interact with other medications.

If you are at higher risk of complications, contact your healthcare provider promptly when symptoms begin, even if they are mild. Treatment works best when started early, and you should not delay seeking medical advice while waiting for a positive test.

Most people recover from COVID-19 within a few weeks, but some experience symptoms that continue or develop after the initial infection. This condition is known as Long COVID or post-COVID condition.

According to the CDC, Long COVID is a chronic condition that occurs after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least three months. Symptoms may persist, improve, return, or change over time.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Shortness of breath or ongoing cough
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering information, often called "brain fog"
• Sleep disturbances
• Dizziness, particularly when standing
• Headaches, muscle aches, or joint pain
• Symptoms that worsen after physical or mental activity

Long COVID can occur even after a mild infection and can affect people of all ages. Symptoms vary widely, and some people experience significant limitations in their daily activities.

There is no single test that diagnoses Long COVID, and no specific cure is currently available. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, addressing other medical conditions, and improving daily functioning.

If you continue to experience symptoms after COVID-19, speak with your healthcare provider. Early evaluation can help identify complications, rule out other causes, and develop an individualized care plan.