COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms 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
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

This list does not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19.

Call 911 if there are emergency warning signs:

Difficulty breathing
Pressure or pain in chest
Bluish lips or face
Confused or hard to wake
Other serious symptoms

Get a Test and Talk to a Doctor

To get a COVID-19 test, call your doctor, call 2-1-1 or visit the Get Tested page. Local pharmacies may also have home test kits. It's recommended to call in advance to check to see if kits are in stock.

Take care of your health

Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. Here are steps to get better:

Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Take over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to reduce fever and pain. Note that children younger than age 2 should not be given any over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a doctor.
Monitor your symptoms and seek medical care right away if you experience any of the emergency warning signs.
Your doctor may recommend that you have a pulse oximeter at home to monitor your oxygen levels. Using a Pulse Oximeter at Home When You Have COVID-19 | Michigan Medicine.
Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if they recommend prescribing COVID-19 medications. Don’t delay as many need to be started within 5 days.