LAC | DPH | Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms What to do if feeling sick When to seek care and treatment Emergency signs

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Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe illness. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

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. New variants of COVID-19 may cause different symptoms.
Note: these symptoms could also be flu - learn more at cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.

What to do if you are feeling sick

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

If you have any respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat) wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others indoors.

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, but you still have symptoms, stay home away from others. You can resume normal activities when you have been fever-free without the help of fever-reducing medicines for at least 24 hours.
Remember: Tests can miss early infection. Antigen tests (including self-tests) are more likely to miss early infections than PCR tests. If you test negative for COVID-19, take at least one more COVID-19 test 48 hours later. Read and follow all test instructions correctly. See FDA instructions on repeat testing.

When to seek medical care and COVID-19 treatment

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, ask for free treatment right away, even if your symptoms are mild. You can get treatment:
- If you test positive for COVID-19 or
- If you test negative, but you were exposed to COVID-19 or a doctor thinks you have COVID-19.
Many adults and some children with COVID qualify for these medicines.

Don’t wait until your illness gets worse. The oral COVID treatments must be started within 5 days after you first develop symptoms (the intravenous COVID treatment must be started within 7 days). See ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines for more information about how to access free COVID-19 medication.
Contact your doctor for severe symptoms or any symptoms that concern you. 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.