Did you know people who get COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms? Not everyone experiences the same symptoms when they have COVID-19. One person might only lose their sense of smell while the next person might have several symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing. The severity of COVID-19 symptoms can also vary from mild to extreme. After someone is exposed to the COVID-19 virus, symptoms may appear anywhere from 2-14 days later. Let’s explore the common symptoms of COVID-19 so you can recognize the signs of this highly contagious virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are the common symptoms of COVID-19:
- 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
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Since the COVID-19 virus is constantly changing and evolving into new variants, the symptoms people experience may also change. The CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
If someone has COVID-19 and you witness them experiencing these emergency warning signs, call 911 and/or seek emergency medical attention immediately:
- 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 you plan on transporting yourself or someone else to a local emergency facility, call ahead and notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19. Be aware, this list does not include all possible emergency warning symptoms. Always call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
For more information about the COVID-19 virus, visit COVID-19 | Washington State Department of Health
This article is made possible in part by the Washington State Department of Health through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Resources
Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC
