COVID-19

Overview

COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. It spreads from person to person, mostly through the air. It can feel like a cold or the flu, and you often need a test to tell them apart.

Most people have a mild illness and get better at home. Age is the biggest risk for severe illness, and the risk rises with each decade after 65. People with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are also at higher risk. Some people have symptoms that last for months, called Long COVID.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after you're exposed, but it can take up to 2 weeks. They can change during the illness. Some people have no symptoms.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Feeling very tired (fatigue)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache, muscle or body aches

Less common

• New loss of taste or smell (less common now than early in the pandemic)
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Red, watery, or itchy eyes

How it usually goes

• Days 1–5: Symptoms start. If you're at higher risk, call about antiviral medicine now.
• Days 5–10: Most people start to feel better. Watch for trouble breathing.
• After 4 weeks: Symptoms that last or come back may be Long COVID; see a healthcare professional.

Look up a symptom: Body aches · Cough · Diarrhea · Fatigue · Feeling weak all over · Fever · Headache · Loss of taste or smell · Sore throat

When to get medical care

Causes

COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, which keeps changing into new variants.

It spreads mostly through tiny droplets and particles in the air when people breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze, especially indoors. People can spread it before they feel sick, and some never have symptoms.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: coughs, sneezes, or the air.
• Washing hands often and staying home when sick help protect others.

Who is more likely to get it

• Age 65 and older, with risk rising sharply over 75
• Not being up to date on recommended COVID-19 vaccines
• Certain medical conditions, with more risk the more conditions you have
• A weakened immune system, or medicines like chemotherapy
• Pregnancy

Possible complications

• Pneumonia: Trouble breathing, low oxygen
• Long COVID: Symptoms that last weeks to months
• Sepsis: Rare; the body's extreme reaction to infection
• Heart inflammation: Rare; chest pain or a racing heartbeat

Diagnosis

A test is the only way to know if you have COVID-19. You can test at home or at a clinic or pharmacy. If you're at higher risk, you don't need a positive test to start treatment; call your healthcare professional as soon as you feel sick.

Questions you may be asked

• When your symptoms started
• Whether you've tested, and the result
• Your age, and any long-term conditions or medicines that weaken the immune system
• All medicines you take, since some interact with COVID-19 medicine
• Whether you're pregnant

The exam

They may check your temperature, breathing rate, and oxygen level with a small clip on your finger, and listen to your lungs.

Tests

Tests for COVID-19:

• Home or rapid test: Results in minutes. A negative result early on doesn't always rule out COVID-19; testing again in a day or two helps.
• PCR test: A lab test that's more sensitive, often used when deciding about treatment.
• Flu test: Often done at the same time, since flu has its own medicines.

Treatment

Most people with COVID-19 recover at home with rest, fluids, and medicine for fever and aches. If you're at higher risk of getting very sick, antiviral medicine can lower your risk of going to the hospital or dying. It must start within 5 to 7 days of your first symptoms.

Self-care

• Rest and drink plenty of fluids
• Treat fever and aches with acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Stay home and away from others until you've been fever-free for 24 hours without fever medicine and your symptoms are getting better overall
• Take extra care for 5 more days: wear a mask, wash hands, keep distance, and improve airflow
• Watch your breathing, and get help for any emergency warning signs

Medicines

COVID-19 antivirals need a prescription and are for people at higher risk of getting very sick.

Medicine names link to drug information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional.

If you're at higher risk, call a healthcare professional, pharmacy, or health center right away, even if your symptoms are mild. Some people's symptoms come back 3 to 7 days after getting better (rebound); it's usually mild. People who are very sick need hospital care.

How it compares

Prevention

These steps lower your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19:

• Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist which COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you
• Wash your hands often
• Bring in fresh air or gather outdoors when you can
• Stay home when you're sick
• Consider a mask in crowded indoor places, especially if you're at higher risk

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until you've had no fever for 24 hours without fever medicine and you're feeling better.
• For the next 5 days, wash hands often and wear a mask around others.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Children: Children often have milder illness, but some get very sick. Many have stomach symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Call right away for trouble breathing or a baby under 3 months with a fever.
• Pregnancy: COVID-19 can be more serious during pregnancy. Call your healthcare professional if you get sick; they can tell you which treatment is safe. Molnupiravir isn't used during pregnancy.
• Older adults and people with a weak immune system: You're at the highest risk. Call as soon as symptoms start so antiviral medicine can begin in time.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most people recover within a week or two. Older adults and people with health problems can get very sick, and some people have symptoms that last for months. Early treatment for people at higher risk helps prevent serious illness.

Myths and facts

Getting ready for your visit

Many clinics can see you by video, which keeps you from spreading the virus.

What to bring

• When symptoms started, and your test results
• A list of all your medicines, including supplements
• Long-term conditions, and whether you're pregnant

Questions to ask

• Should I take an antiviral medicine?
• Will it interact with my other medicines?
• When is it safe to be around others?
• Which vaccines are recommended for me?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on COVID-19