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The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. A person with COVID-10 may experience a dry cough, loss of taste or smell, and fever. People should seek help if they have difficulty breathing.
This article looks at the symptoms of COVID-19, how they develop, and how to tell them from those of colds, the flu, and allergies.
It will also cover some home treatment options and when to contact a doctor.
Not everyone who has COVID-19 will have symptoms. If they do, symptoms may appear
They include:
- dry cough
- fever
- a new loss of taste or smell
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- headache
- diarrhea
- muscle or body aches
- congestion or a runny nose
- chills
Some people recover after 2 weeks, but it can take much longer than this.
In a telephone survey that the
Some people
- a rash
- diarrhea
- red eyes
- a loss of appetite
- irritability
- confusion
- anxiety
- depression
- sleep problems
In children, COVID-19 symptoms may be milder, but this is not always the case. Those with underlying health conditions, in particular, may be at risk of severe symptoms.
Symptoms can gradually become more severe. A person needs immediate medical help if they experience:
- difficulty breathing
- persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- a blue tinge to the face or lips
- difficulty waking up or staying awake
- worsening confusion
- reduced consciousness
If these symptoms arise, someone should call 911 or help the person get to the local emergency room. Before going, someone should call and let them know that a person with suspected COVID-19 is on the way.
In some rare cases, severe
- stroke
- delirium
- brain inflammation
- nerve damage
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that around
Coronaviruses primarily affect the respiratory system, but
Severe complications can arise,
- respiratory failure
- acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- sepsis
- thromboembolism, or blood clots
- damage to the heart, liver, or kidneys
- multiorgan failure
There are growing concerns about long-term symptoms that can persist after a person has had COVID-19.
One
Long-term symptoms may
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- neurological symptoms
- cough
The symptoms of COVID-19 can be similar to those of other respiratory conditions, such as colds, the flu, and seasonal allergies.
The main difference between COVID-19 and colds and the flu is that it causes shortness of breath but potentially no other symptoms.
People with asthma may find that a cold or the flu worsens their condition, however. This can also cause shortness of breath.
Although allergies can cause some symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, they rarely cause dry cough and do not typically cause fever.
Below is a table of symptoms that can help people tell the difference between COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Flu resources
For more information and resources to help keep you and your loved ones healthy this flu season, visit our dedicated hub.
How COVID-19 affects individuals varies widely, and there are still many things that experts do not know about the disease.
As a rough guideline, people may be able to expect the following:
Day | What to expect |
-2 to -14 | exposure to the virus |
0 | symptoms appear |
+7 | ARDS appears (in severe cases) |
+9 | Around 5% of people need intensive care treatment. |
+14 | Many people with mild symptoms recover, though |
+21 to +42 | average time for recovery for people who spend time in the hospital |
+14 to +56 | average time to death in the most severe cases |
Although this timeline may be broadly true, it is essential to know that a significant number of people continue to experience symptoms such as fatigue and breathing problems after recovering from the acute phase.
If complications arise, the person may develop long-term health issues, as
A person with mild-to-moderate symptoms should inform their doctor and then stay at home and rest.
They can use over-the-counter pain relief medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve any discomfort.
Isolating and testing
It is easy to pass the virus to another person, even when there are no symptoms.
For this reason, people should isolate themselves if they:
- have symptoms
- believe that they have had exposure to the virus
- receive a positive test result
This means
When possible, people should order their groceries online or ask friends or family to deliver food and supplies for them. Some areas have other resources for people who are self-isolating.
If a person believes that they may have had exposure to the virus, they should consider getting a test.
If a person has severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, someone should call a doctor or help the person get to the nearest emergency room, taking care to call ahead and let them know that someone with suspected COVID-19 is on the way.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath. However, there are also less common symptoms, and some people develop life threatening complications.
Many people with mild symptoms recover after 2–3 weeks, but symptoms can persist, even among young adults who were previously healthy.
For this reason, it is essential to prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible. If anyone has symptoms, they should monitor for changes and be ready to seek emergency help if necessary.