Symptoms of COVID-19
Reported cases of COVID-19 show that symptoms may range from little-to-no symptoms to severe illness and death.3 Most symptoms are usually mild and may begin up to 14 days after exposure. ¹,³
Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
Other symptoms include:
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Hoarse voice
- Joint pain
- Loss of smell or taste
- Muscle aches
- Nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
- Persistent cough
This list is not all inclusive. Keep in mind that symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person, by age group, and depending on the COVID-19 variant. Please consult with your health care provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
However, some people may develop other more severe complications, such as pneumonia or respiratory failure. The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is higher for certain populations, including individuals who are not fully vaccinated, pregnant women, adults aged 60 and older (risk increasing by age), people who have underlying chronic medical conditions (including heart disease, diabetes, lung disease), people living with obesity with a BMI of 40 or higher, and people with weakened immune systems.
In some cases, COVID-19 infection can lead to long-term symptoms that last for weeks or months after their initial recovery. This is known as post-COVID-19 condition or long COVID. You can experience post-COVID-19 condition regardless of the severity of your infection, or whether or not you had symptoms while infected.
Post-COVID-19 condition can affect people differently depending on their age. It’s estimated that 30% to 40% of adults who were not hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms still experience symptoms 12 weeks after being infected. Symptoms that commonly affect adults include:
- Tiredness
- Memory problems
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety and depression
- General pain and discomfort
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms that commonly affect children include:
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and pains
- Joint pains
- Difficulty sleeping
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Post-COVID-19 condition can also impact your mental health. If you’re noticing changes in your mental health following a COVID-19 infection, such as symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD, speak with your health care provider.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/COVID-19-Overview-Symptoms-Diagnosis-and-Treatment
