COVID-19Common question

For most people, the symptoms end with a cough and a fever. More than 8 in 10 cases are mild. But for some, the infection gets more severe.

About 5 to 8 days after symptoms begin, they have shortness of breath (known as dyspnea). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) begins a few days later.

Can the coronavirus disease cause breathing problems?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, one that especially reaches into your respiratory tract, which includes your lungs. COVID-19 can cause a range of breathing problems, from mild to critical.

Can COVID-19 symptoms worsen suddenly?

Moderate symptoms can progress into severe symptoms suddenly, especially in people who are older or who have chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer or chronic respiratory problems.

How long does it take for COVID-19 symptoms to start showing?

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

Is tightness in your chest a symptom of COVID-19?

Severe allergies can make you can feel tightness in your chest and shortness of breath, especially if you have asthma, too. But these can also be serious symptoms of COVID-19. If you aren't sure or if you haven't been diagnosed with asthma, call your doctor or 911 right away.

"Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome": COVID "long-haulers" suffering symptoms months after initial diag…

What are symptoms of COVID-19 affecting the lungs?

Some people may feel short of breath. People with chronic heart, lung, and blood diseases may be at risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and acute respiratory failure.

What are some of the common symptoms of the COVID-19 disease?

Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle and body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

Can an infected person spread COVID-19 before showing symptoms?

An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 2 days before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. People who have COVID-19 don't always have obvious symptoms. A person is still considered a close contact even if they were wearing a mask while they were around someone with COVID-19.

What steps should I take after being exposed to COVID-19?

● Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
● Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
● If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19

How long should I wait to get tested for COVID-19 after being exposed if I am fully vaccinated?

- If you have been fully vaccinated and around someone who has COVID-19 (close contact), you do not need to stay away from others (quarantine), or be restricted from work unless you develop COVID-like symptoms. We recommend that you get tested 3-5 days after your last exposure to someone with COVID-19.

What are the emergency warning signs of covid-19?

Trouble breathing

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

New or worsening confusion

Inability to wake or stay awake

Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

* This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

What are some signs of COVID-19 that need immediate medical attention?

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

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

Fortunately, people who have mild to moderate symptoms typically recover in a few days or weeks.

Which parts of the body are the most affected by COVID-19?

In the case of COVID-19, the virus primarily attacks the lungs. However, it can also cause your body to produce an overactive immune response which can lead to increased inflammation throughout the body. Myocarditis can impair the heart's ability to pump blood and send electrical signals.

Can COVID-19 cause long-term lung damage?

Some patients do have airway disease similar to asthma – called reactive airway disease – induced by the COVID infection itself.” In addition to long-term effects on the lungs caused by the virus, being on a ventilator can cause long-term complications as well.

Can COVID-19 have lasting effects?

Some people who had severe illness with COVID-19 experience multiorgan effects or autoimmune conditions over a longer time with symptoms lasting weeks or months after COVID-19 illness. Multiorgan effects can affect most, if not all, body systems, including heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain functions.

Should I get tested after a close contact with someone who has COVID-19 if I am fully vaccinated?

• If you've had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don't have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative.

Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I was in close contact with a positive case?

•Viral testing is recommended for close contacts of persons with COVID-19.

What should I do if I've been exposed to a person with COVID-19 and I have fully recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the previous 90 days?

Someone who tested positive for COVID-19 with a viral test within the previous 90 days and has subsequently recovered and remains without COVID-19 symptoms does not need to quarantine. However, close contacts with prior COVID-19 infection in the previous 90 days should:
• Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days after exposure.
• Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and isolate immediately if symptoms develop.
• Consult with a healthcare professional for testing recommendations if new symptoms develop.

When is someone with COVID-19 infectious?

The onset and duration of viral shedding and the period of infectiousness for COVID-19 are not yet known with certainty. Based on current evidence, scientists believe that persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 may shed replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 for up to 10 days following symptom onset, while a small fraction of persons with severe COVID-19, including immunocompromised persons, may shed replication-competent virus for up to 20 days. It is possible that SARS-CoV-2 RNA may be detectable in the upper or lower respiratory tract for weeks after illness onset, similar to infections with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. However, detection of viral RNA does not necessarily mean that infectious virus is present. Based on existing literature, the incubation period (the time from exposure to development of symptoms) of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses (e.g., MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV) ranges from 2–14 days.

What is considered a close contact of someone with COVID-19?

For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

How long can long Covid last?

The medical community has been aware that while most people recover from COVID-19 within a matter of weeks, some will experience lingering symptoms for 4 or more weeks after developing COVID-19. Until now, there has not been a formal definition for this condition.

What are the most common symptoms for COVID-19 among those not hospitalized?

Fatigue, headache, and muscle aches (myalgia) are among the most commonly reported symptoms in people who are not hospitalized, and sore throat and nasal congestion or runny nose (rhinorrhea) also may be prominent symptoms.

Does COVID-19 cause gastrointestinal symptoms?

Although respiratory symptoms predominate the clinical manifestations of COVID-19, gastrointestinal symptoms have been observed in a subset of patients. Notably, some patients have nausea/vomiting as the first clinical manifestation of COVID-19, which is often overlooked by people.

How do I know that my COVID-19 infection starts to cause pneumonia?

If your COVID-19 infection starts to cause pneumonia, you may notice things like:

Rapid heartbeat

Shortness of breath or breathlessness

Rapid breathing

Dizziness

Heavy sweating