COVID-19 is a respiratory condition caused by a coronavirus. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe illness. 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
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

Some people infected with COVID-19 may not notice any symptoms (asymptomatic), while others may have mild symptoms and get better on their own. However, some people may have severe problems, such as trouble breathing, and the odds of more serious symptoms are higher if you’re older or have another health condition like diabetes or heart disease.

A 2020 study from the University of Southern California (USC) found that COVID-19 symptoms often start in a certain order: fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, or headache, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. However, in general, while fever is usually the most commonly described initial symptom of COVID-19 infection, the reality of what doctors see on the front lines is more variable. Some patients may present only with loss of taste or smell and otherwise feel well.

If you think you might have COVID-19, it is important to get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms of the virus. If you or someone in your household is experiencing any of the following symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency room right away: difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.