Key takeaways

  • The early signs of COVID-19 typically resemble a cold or the flu. They include a sore throat, headache, cough, fatigue, or a loss of the sense of taste or smell.
  • However, people can experience a wide range of symptoms, as COVID-19 is a multi-system disease. This means it can affect many parts of the body.
  • If a person may have COVID-19, they should stay at home and check how they can access testing.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a viral infection that causes COVID-19. The symptoms typically affect the airways and lungs, but they can also affect other parts of the body.

In some people, COVID-19 causes few or no symptoms, while in others, it can be a severe or life-threatening condition.

The following article outlines the early symptoms, what to do if someone has them, and when to seek medical help.

a woman with a dry cough which is one of the early symptoms of coronavirusShare on Pinterest
A dry cough is a common early symptom of coronavirus infection.

There is no specific set of symptoms that affect all people with COVID-19, including in the early stages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that the most common symptoms overall are:

But other symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely, and can include:

While many people feel tired and generally unwell when they first get a respiratory infection, some people may not notice the symptoms at all.

Others may only have digestive symptoms, while others have a classic cold or flu-like presentation.

Because COVID-19 symptoms are so changeable, they are not a reliable way to diagnose the condition.

In fact, a 2022 review assessed whether symptoms could be a way to diagnose COVID-19 in hospitals and found that none of the commonly reported symptoms were accurate indicators.

Another factor that makes COVID-19 hard to diagnose based on symptoms alone is the way the virus that causes it has evolved over time. Scientists call these different versions “variants”.

For example, a large study in England in 2022 found that people with the Omicron variants reported less alteration to their sense of taste or smell and more flu-like symptoms than other variants.

Omicron BA.2 also caused more symptoms and disruption to daily life than Omicron BA.1. These variants circulated at the same time.

Early COVID-19 symptoms in children are similar to those in adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common are fever and a cough.

There may also be a link between COVID-19 and croup, which is a viral infection that causes swelling around the throat in babies and young children. A 2023 study found that croup associated with COVID-19 caused more severe symptoms.

However, most children will get mild to moderate symptoms and recover at home.

If a person notices that they or someone else could have the symptoms of COVID-19, they should look into how they can access tests.

The only way to be sure a person has COVID-19 is through testing, so confirming that it is COVID-19 is important, wherever possible.

Next, the WHO recommends:

  • staying at home
  • keeping a distance from others, where possible
  • wearing a mask when sharing space with others
  • covering the mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing
  • practicing hand hygiene

To manage the symptoms, it may help to:

  • get plenty of rest
  • stay hydrated with plenty of liquids
  • take over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medicine to soothe symptoms
  • monitor symptoms and phone the doctor if necessary

According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 typically stops being contagious after 5 days, but it can be contagious for up to 10 days.

People who are experiencing mild COVID-19 will typically be able to recover at home without hospital treatment.

However, people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should contact a doctor about getting antiviral treatment. This includes people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic conditions, such as lung conditions or liver disease.

Contact a doctor if baby under 3 months old has a high temperature. Anyone noticing the following symptoms should diall 911 immediately:

  • trouble breathing
  • constant pain or pressure in the chest
  • confusion
  • blue, gray, or white lips or nails
  • a rash
  • couging up blood
  • inability to stay awake
  • fainting
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness

People should tell the service operator that they think they have COVID-19. If possible, they should put on a cloth face mask or covering before help arrives.

If a person is caring for someone with early symptoms of coronavirus infection, they should try to limit contact with them as much as possible, while still providing help that allows them to rest and recover.

This could include:

  • helping the care receiver follow any instructions from a doctor
  • keeping them hydrated
  • helping with groceries, prescriptions, and other requirements
  • caring for any pets or children
  • wearing disposable gloves when washing their dirty laundry
  • cleaning and disinfecting surfaces daily
  • using a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible
  • ensuring good air ventilation, such as by opening the window
  • monitoring their symptoms and looking for signs that they may need more medical help
  • monitoring their own health for symptoms

The carer should wear a face mask when near the sick person, and gloves if they come into contact with their bodily fluids. Frequently washing hands thoroughly with soap and water is also important.

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads via small droplets that a person with the virus produces when they talk, cough, or sneeze. When another person inhales these droplets, the virus can enter the body.

Droplets in the air can also land on surfaces and objects. People who touch these contaminated surfaces are at risk of infection if they then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth before washing their hands.

A person can reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 by:

  • washing hands throughout the day with soap and water
  • using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if washing hands is not possible
  • avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • keeping away from people who are sick
  • wearing a face mask when this is unavoidable
  • covering nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing
  • cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

It can also be helpful to keep rapid COVID-19 tests in the home, so they are ready to use.

It can take 2 to 14 days for COVID-19 symptoms to appear after exposure to the virus, but it may be contagious before this point. As a result, it is generally a good idea to incorporate prevention measures into daily life.

Getting vaccinations can reduce the risk of getting severe COVID-19, but people who are vaccinated can still potentially transmit the virus.

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, or fever.

Most people can manage their symptoms at home. However, it can occasionally cause severe or persistent illness.

If a person with COVID-19 has trouble breathing, or experiences other concerning symptoms, they should call 911 and seek medical attention.

Coronavirus resources

For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.