COVID-19 FAQ

How long does it take before symptoms of COVID-19 appear?

Signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. The period after exposure and before symptoms appear is called the incubation period.

Do COVID-19 symptoms get worse quickly after a few days of illness?

In some people, COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms, such as high fever, severe cough, and shortness of breath, which usually indicate pneumonia.

A person may have mild symptoms for about a week and then get worse quickly. Tell your doctor if your symptoms worsen rapidly within a short period of time.

How serious can a mild case of COVID-19 be?

Even mild cases of COVID-19 can have some very distressing symptoms, including debilitating headaches, extreme fatigue, and body aches that make people feel unwell.

What are the mild symptoms of COVID-19?

Mild illness: Individuals with any of the various signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (eg, fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain) but without shortness of breath, dyspnea, or abnormal chest imaging.

Are most cases of COVID-19 mild?

More than 8 out of 10 cases were mild. But for some, the infection became more serious.

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What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• Watch out for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

Can you recover at home if you have a mild case of COVID-19?

Most people are mildly ill and recover at home.

For mild cases of COVID-19, how many days does it take for your fever to go away?

For people with mild symptoms, the fever usually subsides after a few days, and they may feel better after a few weeks. They may also have a cough that lasts for weeks.

When can I be with other people after having mild or moderate COVID-19?

You can be with other people when:
• 10 days after symptoms first appeared, and.
• No fever for 24 hours and no fever reducers.
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*

Is a runny nose a symptom of COVID-19?

Seasonal allergies can sometimes bring coughs and runny noses — both of which can be linked to some coronavirus cases and even the common cold — but they can also bring itchy or watery eyes and sneezing, symptoms that have been associated with coronavirus uncommon in patients.

How long will it take to recover from COVID-19?

Fortunately, people with mild to moderate symptoms usually recover within days or weeks.

What are the most common lingering symptoms of COVID-19?

Loss of smell, loss of taste, shortness of breath and fatigue are the four most common symptoms people report eight months after mild cases of COVID-19, a new study shows.

How is the severity of a COVID-19 infection defined?

Mild illness: Individuals with any of the various signs and symptoms of COVID 19 (eg, fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain) but without shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or abnormal chest imaging.

Moderate Illness: Individuals with evidence of lower respiratory tract disease by clinical assessment or imaging studies and indoor air oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥ 94% at sea level.

Severe illness: respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min, SpO2 <94% 在海平面的室内空气中的个体（或者，对于慢性低氧血症患者，从基线下降 >3%), the partial pressure of arterial oxygen ratio is the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) <300 mmHg，或肺浸润 >50%.

Critical Illness: Individuals with respiratory failure, septic shock and/or multiple organ dysfunction.

What are the signs of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention?

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• new chaos
• inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

What are long-term Covid symptoms?

People with long-term COVID have a wide variety of symptoms, from headaches to extreme fatigue to changes in memory and thinking, and many other symptoms such as muscle weakness, joint pain, and muscle soreness.

What are the chances of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms?

Most people have mild symptoms that get better on their own. But about one in six people will have serious problems, such as difficulty breathing. Your chances of developing more severe symptoms are higher if you are older or have other health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.

How long should I isolate at home if I have COVID-19?

People who are seriously ill with COVID-19 may need to stay home for more than 10 days and up to 20 days after their first symptoms. People with weakened immune systems may need to be tested to determine when they can be around others. Contact your healthcare provider for more information.

How long can you remain infectious after testing positive for COVID-19?

If someone is asymptomatic or their symptoms disappear, they can still be contagious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. People hospitalized with serious illness and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for 20 days or more.

When is coronavirus disease (COVID-19) most contagious?

Researchers estimate that people infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others 2 to 3 days before symptoms start, and are most contagious 1 to 2 days before they feel sick.

What can you do to reduce your fever when you have COVID-19?

Specifically: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help lower your fever, provided you don’t have a medical history that should prevent you from using them. Fever reduction is usually not necessary – the rise in body temperature is to help your body fight off viruses.

What is considered a COVID-19 fever?

The average normal body temperature is usually considered to be 98.6°F (37°C). Some studies show that « normal » body temperature ranges from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C).

A temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) usually means you have a fever due to an infection or illness.

What temperature is considered a fever when monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists fever as a criterion for screening for COVID-19, and a person is considered to have a fever if they have a temperature of 100.4 or higher—meaning it’s higher than it thinks it is out nearly 2 degrees. The average « normal » temperature is 98.6 degrees.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

Even if you have mild symptoms like cough, headache, mild fever, stay home and self-isolate until you recover. Call your healthcare provider or hotline for advice. Let someone else bring you supplies. If you need to leave the house or someone is near you, wear a medical mask to avoid infecting others.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you can, call first and follow the directions of your local health authority.

Can I treat my COVID-19 symptoms at home?

Most people infected with COVID-19 will only develop mild illness and recover at home. Symptoms may last for a few days, and people with the virus may feel better after about a week. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and includes rest, fluid intake, and pain medication.

Should I go to the hospital if I have mild symptoms of COVID-19?

A mild case of COVID-19 can still make you feel bad. But you should be able to rest at home and make a full recovery without going to the hospital.