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COVID-19 is a respiratory condition caused by a coronavirus. Some people are infected but don\u2019t notice any symptoms. Most people will have mild symptoms<\/a> and get better on their own. But about 1 in 6 will have severe problems, such as trouble breathing<\/a>. The odds of more serious symptoms are higher if you\u2019re older or have another health condition like diabetes<\/a> or heart disease.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to look for if you think you might have COVID-19.<\/p>\n Researchers in China found that the most common symptoms among people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 include:<\/p>\n Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after you come into contact with the virus.<\/p>\n Other symptoms may include:<\/p>\n Call a doctor or hospital right away if you have one or more of these COVID-19 symptoms:<\/p>\n You need medical care as soon as possible. Call your doctor\u2019s office or hospital before you go in<\/a>. This will help them prepare to treat you and protect medical staff and other patients.<\/p>\n Strokes have also been reported in some people who have COVID-19. Remember FAST:<\/p>\n Lab tests can tell if COVID-19 is what\u2019s causing your symptoms. But the tests can be hard to find, and there\u2019s no treatment if you do have the disease. So you don\u2019t need to get tested if you have no symptoms or only mild ones. Call your doctor or your local health department if you have questions.<\/p>\n COVID-19 can also cause problems including:<\/p>\n Some doctors are reporting rashes tied to COVID-19, including purple or blue lesions on children\u2019s toes and feet. Researchers are looking into these reports so they can understand the effect on people who have COVID-19.\u00a0<\/p>\n Researchers say kids have many of the same COVID-19 symptoms as adults, but they tend to be milder. Common symptoms in children include:<\/p>\n Some children and teens who are in the hospital with the disease have an inflammatory syndrome that may be linked to the new coronavirus. Doctors call it pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PMIS). Symptoms include a fever, a rash, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and heart problems. It\u2019s similar to toxic shock or to Kawasaki disease, a condition in children that causes inflammation in blood vessels.<\/p>\n Your regular body temperature may be higher or lower than someone else\u2019s. It also changes throughout the day. Doctors generally consider a fever in an adult to be anything over 100.4 F on an oral thermometer and over 100.8 F on a rectal thermometer.<\/p>\n If you think you\u2019ve come into contact with the virus, or if you have symptoms, isolate yourself and check your temperature every morning and evening for at least 14 days. Keep track of the readings. A fever is the most common symptom of COVID-19, but it\u2019s sometimes below 100 F.\u00a0In a child, a fever is a temperature above 100 F on an oral thermometer or 100.4 F on a rectal one.<\/p>\n Early studies have found that at least 60% of people with COVID-19 have a dry cough. About a third have a cough with mucus<\/a>, called a \u201cwet\u201d or \u201cproductive\u201d cough.<\/p>\n If you have milder symptoms like a fever, shortness of breath, or coughing:<\/p>\n Dyspnea is the word doctors use for shortness of breath. It can feel like you:<\/p>\n Since they share so many symptoms, it can be hard to know which condition you have. But there are a few guidelines that can help.<\/p>\n You may have COVID-19 if you have a fever and trouble breathing, along with the symptoms listed above.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have problems breathing, it might be the flu<\/a>. You should still isolate yourself just in case.<\/p>\n It\u2019s probably allergies<\/a> if you don\u2019t have a fever but your eyes<\/a>\u00a0are itchy, you\u2019re sneezing, and you have a runny nose<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a fever and your eyes<\/a> aren\u2019t itchy, it\u2019s probably a cold.<\/p>\n Call your doctor if you\u2019re concerned about any symptoms. COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, so it may be hard to diagnose. Testing could be available in your area.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nCommon Symptoms<\/h2>\n
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Emergency Symptoms<\/h2>\n
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Other COVID-19 Symptoms<\/h2>\n
Symptoms in Children<\/h2>\n
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How to Check for Fever<\/h2>\n
What Kind of Cough Is Common?<\/h2>\n
Continued<\/h4>\n
What to Do If You Think You Have Mild Symptoms<\/h2>\n
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What Does Shortness of Breath Feel Like?<\/h2>\n
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Is It COVID-19, the Flu, a Cold, or Allergies?<\/h2>\n