What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
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COVID-19 can impact people in different ways, but most people who are infected with the virus will only have mild to moderate symptoms and won't need to be hospitalized. Most cases of the virus are not dangerous, but should be taken seriously. The World Health Organization says the most common symptoms are: - fever - dry cough - tiredness Symptoms fewer people have include: - aches and pains - sore throat - diarrhea - conjunctivitis - headache - loss of taste or smell - a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes Symptoms that are serious and which mean people should contact a medical professional as soon as possible include: - difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - chest pain or pressure - loss of speech or movement A person may have mild symptoms for a week or so, and then their condition might worsen rapidly. There maybe others who show no symptom at all. Children, generally speaking, have similar symptoms to adults but with milder illness. People who are older have been shown to have more severe forms of illness. Some people with COVID-19 have also been experiencing neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (relating to the stomach and intestines), or both. Because we are learning more about this virus every day, including new symptoms, it is important to pay attention to what your body is feeling and contact a medical professional if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms or notice any other changes in how you normally feel. Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. This list does not include all possible symptoms, but these may appear **2-14 days after exposure** **to the virus**: - 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 Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control urges people to seek emergency medical care if they are experiencing any of these symptoms: - Trouble breathing - Persistent pain or pressure in the chest - New confusion - Inability to wake or stay awake - Bluish lips or face
COVID-19 can impact people in different ways, but most people who are infected with the virus will only have mild to moderate symptoms and won't need to be hospitalized. Most cases of the virus are not dangerous, but should be taken seriously. The World Health Organization says the most common symptoms are: - fever - dry cough - tiredness Symptoms fewer people have include: - aches and pains - sore throat - diarrhea - conjunctivitis - headache - loss of taste or smell - a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes Symptoms that are serious and which mean people should contact a medical professional as soon as possible include: - difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - chest pain or pressure - loss of speech or movement A person may have mild symptoms for a week or so, and then their condition might worsen rapidly. There maybe others who show no symptom at all. Children, generally speaking, have similar symptoms to adults but with milder illness. People who are older have been shown to have more severe forms of illness. Some people with COVID-19 have also been experiencing neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (relating to the stomach and intestines), or both. Because we are learning more about this virus every day, including new symptoms, it is important to pay attention to what your body is feeling and contact a medical professional if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms or notice any other changes in how you normally feel. Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. This list does not include all possible symptoms, but these may appear **2-14 days after exposure** **to the virus**: - 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 Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control urges people to seek emergency medical care if they are experiencing any of these symptoms: - Trouble breathing - Persistent pain or pressure in the chest - New confusion - Inability to wake or stay awake - Bluish lips or face
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What our experts say
COVID-19 can impact people in different ways, but most people who are infected with the virus will only have mild to moderate symptoms and won't need to be hospitalized. Most cases of the virus are not dangerous, but should be taken seriously. The World Health Organization says the most common symptoms are: - fever - dry cough - tiredness
Symptoms fewer people have include: - aches and pains - sore throat - diarrhea - conjunctivitis - headache - loss of taste or smell - a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
Symptoms that are serious and which mean people should contact a medical professional as soon as possible include: - difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - chest pain or pressure - loss of speech or movement
A person may have mild symptoms for a week or so, and then their condition might worsen rapidly. There maybe others who show no symptom at all. Children, generally speaking, have similar symptoms to adults but with milder illness. People who are older have been shown to have more severe forms of illness.
Some people with COVID-19 have also been experiencing neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (relating to the stomach and intestines), or both.
Because we are learning more about this virus every day, including new symptoms, it is important to pay attention to what your body is feeling and contact a medical professional if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms or notice any other changes in how you normally feel.
Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. This list does not include all possible symptoms, but these may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus: - 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
Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control urges people to seek emergency medical care if they are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
COVID-19 can impact people in different ways, but most people who are infected with the virus will only have mild to moderate symptoms and won't need to be hospitalized. Most cases of the virus are not dangerous, but should be taken seriously. The World Health Organization says the most common symptoms are: - fever - dry cough - tiredness
Symptoms fewer people have include: - aches and pains - sore throat - diarrhea - conjunctivitis - headache - loss of taste or smell - a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
Symptoms that are serious and which mean people should contact a medical professional as soon as possible include: - difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - chest pain or pressure - loss of speech or movement
A person may have mild symptoms for a week or so, and then their condition might worsen rapidly. There maybe others who show no symptom at all. Children, generally speaking, have similar symptoms to adults but with milder illness. People who are older have been shown to have more severe forms of illness.
Some people with COVID-19 have also been experiencing neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (relating to the stomach and intestines), or both.
Because we are learning more about this virus every day, including new symptoms, it is important to pay attention to what your body is feeling and contact a medical professional if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms or notice any other changes in how you normally feel.
Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. This list does not include all possible symptoms, but these may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus: - 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
Additionally, the United States Centers for Disease Control urges people to seek emergency medical care if they are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
Context and background
There have been many reports of people experiencing a variety of different symptoms as a result of COVID-19 infection. While some symptoms occur in just a few people, other symptoms are more common or “typical” for many people with COVID-19. Typical symptoms for most people with COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, and tiredness; and less common symptoms include headache, loss of taste or smell, rashes or discoloration on fingers or toes, diarrhea, and others according to the World Health Organization. The medical and scientific communities are continually learning about COVID-19 and its symptoms in people based on age, ethnicity, body composition, pre-existing medical conditions, and other factors. The World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other leading health organizations are continually updating their public information to share what is currently known about the COVID-19 and its impacts.
There have been many reports of people experiencing a variety of different symptoms as a result of COVID-19 infection. While some symptoms occur in just a few people, other symptoms are more common or “typical” for many people with COVID-19. Typical symptoms for most people with COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, and tiredness; and less common symptoms include headache, loss of taste or smell, rashes or discoloration on fingers or toes, diarrhea, and others according to the World Health Organization. The medical and scientific communities are continually learning about COVID-19 and its symptoms in people based on age, ethnicity, body composition, pre-existing medical conditions, and other factors. The World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other leading health organizations are continually updating their public information to share what is currently known about the COVID-19 and its impacts.
Resources
- WHO overview of COVID-19 (WHO)
- Symptoms of Coronavirus (U.S. CDC)
- Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China (NEJM)
- Harvard Medical School - COVID-19 basics
- Mayo Clinic - Coronavirus disease 2019
- WHO overview of COVID-19 (WHO)
- Symptoms of Coronavirus (U.S. CDC)
- Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China (NEJM)
- Harvard Medical School - COVID-19 basics
- Mayo Clinic - Coronavirus disease 2019
