Tag Archives: COVID-19 symptoms

What To Do If You Think You Have COVID-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic still going and limited vaccines are available, it is crucial to still do everything we can to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some steps that are important in mitigating the spread of the virus is knowing the COVID-19 symptoms, monitoring how you feel and staying home if you feel sick.

Utilize the tips below from the CDC to know what to do if you believe you have COVID-19. Also, visit the CDC’s website to learn more about COVID-19.

What To Do If You Think You Have COVID-19 

As the vaccine is still limited for the general public, it is important to continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC to help reduce the spread of the virus. This includes social distancing, washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, wearing a mask when around others who do not live with you and staying home when you feel sick, especially with COVID-19 symptoms.

Utilize the tips below from the CDC if you believe you may have COVID-19 to help slow the spread of the virus. Visit CDC.gov for the most current information regarding COVID-19.

If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms 
  • Monitor how you feel for any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, body aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, congested or runny nose).
  • Get tested for COVID-19.
  • If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and away from others until it has been 14 days since symptoms first appeared and 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and until other COVID-19 symptoms start improving.
  • Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
  • Seek emergency medical care if you are experience persistent pain or pressure in your chest, trouble breathing, new confusion, bluish lips or face or the inability to wake or stay awake.

#LiveSafety

Understanding Your Symptoms

With the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season going on, there may be confusion on whether the symptoms you are experiencing are cold-related, flu-related or COVID-19. During the pandemic especially, it is important to stay home if you are feeling sick and to get tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing any symptoms or spent time with someone who tested positive. Learn about your symptoms below based on research from the CDC (www.cdc.gov).

COVID-19 vs Flu vs Common Cold Symptoms

Cold: Symptoms appear gradually and are usually milder than symptoms of the flu and COVID-19.

Flu: Symptoms appear abruptly and are usually milder than COVID-19 symptoms.

COVID-19: Symptoms seem to cause more serious illnesses in some people, but some people can also not have any symptoms. Typically, a person develops symptoms several days after being infected; symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Cold

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Sneezing

Flu

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea (usually with children)
  • Nausea or vomiting (usually with children)

COVID-19

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing
  • New loss of taste or smell

COVID-19 Exposure

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to pay close attention to how you are feeling, especially if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19. Knowing the common symptoms of the virus is crucial in being able minimize the spread of COVID-19. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can appear 2 to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. Some people can also be asymptomatic and not show any signs of the virus. This is why it is important to get tested for COVID-19 to see if you have the virus and inform others that you may have been in contact with so that they can also get tested. Following these steps can help reduce the spread of the virus. To know the symptoms of COVID-19, view the list and graphic below from the CDC.

COVID-19 symptoms

As this is still a new virus, research is still being done on how the virus impacts people who are exposed. Typically, a person develops symptoms 5 days after being infected, but symptoms can appear as early as 2 days after infection or as late as 14 days after infection, and the time range can vary. Some people may also not show any symptoms but can still spread the virus without knowing. The common symptoms of the virus 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

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to get tested for COVID-19 or immediately isolate yourself and quarantine to ensure that you do not spread the virus to others. If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and quarantine yourself unless you are seeking medical attention. Your actions impact others and are important in reducing the spread of the virus.