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COVID-19

Learn About Symptoms & What To Do If You Are Sick

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe illness. Some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus but it may not be possible to know when or how a person got infected.

Symptoms of COVID-19


  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home away from others and get a COVID-19 test. For information on how to get a COVID-19 test, visit ph.lacounty.com/covidtests/how.

  • If you test positive for COVID-19 or a doctor tells you that you have COVID-19, you must follow isolation requirements at ph.lacounty.gov/covidisolation.
  • If you test negative for COVID-19, stay home until you have been fever-free without the help of fever-reducing medicines for at least 24 hours. If your negative result is from a rapid antigen test or an over the counter self test, continue to stay away from others and retest in 1-2 days.

When to seek medical care and COVID-19 treatment

  • If you test positive for COVID-19 and you are at higher risk of getting very sick (you are age 50 years or older or you are any age with certain conditions) you can take medicines that treat COVID-19 and help keep you out of the hospital. Ask for treatment right away, even if your symptoms are mild. Don’t delay: the medicines work best when they are given soon after symptoms start. See ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines for more information.
  • If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, or any symptoms that are not on the list that concern you, contact your doctor. If it’s not urgent, call before visiting - you may be able to get advice by phone. Let your doctor know if your symptoms get worse, especially if you are at high risk.
  • If you have emergency warning signs, call 911.
Call 911 if there are emergency warning signs

Exhausted

Difficulty
Breathing
Chest Pain

Pressure or
Pain in Chest
Bluish Lips
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin,
lips, or nail beds*
Confused
Confused or
Hard to Wake
or Stay Awake
Sick Person

Other Serious
Symptoms

If you need help finding a doctor, call the Los Angeles County Information line 2-1-1, which is available 24/7.

*depending on skin tone

Dealing with stress

  • This is a worrying and stressful time. Visit the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s COVID-19 webpage and the 211LA webpage 211la.org/resources/subcategory/mental-health for local resources to address mental health & wellbeing needs and concerns. In addition, guidance and resources, including information on crisis hotlines, are also available on the CDC webpage Coping with stress.
  • LA County residents have free access to iPrevail.com, an online mental health resource to help with life's everyday stressors. After a short assessment, you are connected to customized support to meet your needs. Options include:
    • on-demand chat with trained Peer Coaches,
    • self-paced lessons on a variety of topics to improve wellbeing, and
    • community support groups
    iPrevail is offered in English and Spanish and is available 24/7 from any smart device.
  • If you need to speak with someone about your mental health, contact your doctor or the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access Center 24/7 Helpline at (800) 854-7771, or call 2-1-1.

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Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.

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