Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may appear two to 14 days after exposure. This time after exposure and before having symptoms is called the incubation period. You can still spread COVID-19 before you have symptoms, called presymptomatic. Common signs and symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Tiredness

Early symptoms of COVID-19 may include a loss of taste or smell.

Other symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash

This list is not all inclusive. Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

The severity of COVID-19 symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Some people may have only a few symptoms, and some people may have no symptoms at all, also called asymptomatic. Some people may experience worsened symptoms, such as worsened shortness of breath and pneumonia, about a week after symptoms start.

People who are older have a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and the risk increases with age. People who have existing medical conditions also may have a higher risk of serious illness. Certain medical conditions that may increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 include:

• Serious heart diseases, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy
• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Overweight, obesity or severe obesity
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Chronic kidney disease
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Weakened immune system from solid organ transplants
• Pregnancy
• Asthma
• Chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis
• Liver disease
• Dementia
• Down syndrome
• Weakened immune system from bone marrow transplant, HIV or some medications
• Brain and nervous system conditions
• Substance use disorders

This list is not all inclusive. Other underlying medical conditions may increase your risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

When to see a doctor

If you have COVID-19 signs or symptoms or you've been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, contact your doctor or clinic right away for medical advice. Tell your health care team about your symptoms and possible exposure before you go to your appointment.

If you have emergency COVID-19 signs and symptoms, seek care immediately. Emergency signs and symptoms can include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• Inability to stay awake
• New confusion
• Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds — depending on skin tone

This list isn't all inclusive. Let your doctor know if you are an older adult or have chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or lung disease, as you may have a greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. During the pandemic, it's important to make sure health care is available for those in greatest need.