COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus). Some people with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms at all, but can still spread the virus to others. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- 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
These symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. People who are older or have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
In addition to the common symptoms, there are also severe symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention. These include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility).
Some people who have had COVID-19, whether they have needed hospitalization or not, continue to experience symptoms. These are known as long COVID symptoms and can last at least 12 weeks after symptoms first appeared. Common long COVID symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
The list of symptoms for people with long COVID can vary. If you have COVID-19 symptoms that are concerning, call your healthcare provider.
