The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Congestion or runny nose
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
These symptoms could mean that you have COVID-19, or could be from another illness. If you have any of these symptoms, stay at home, away from other people. Consider getting a COVID-19 test (link to “COVID-19 testing” section).
Stay away from others
If you think you might have COVID-19, stay at home, away from other people, until:
- At least 10 days after your first symptoms started, AND
- At least 24 hours with no fever, without using fever medicine, AND
- Symptoms other than fever are improving.
If you live with other people, stay apart from them as much as you can. If you have to be in the same room, wear a mask. Use a different bathroom if possible. If not, use wipes to clean “high-touch” areas like handles, light switches, counters, faucets, toilet flushers and lids after you use the bathroom. Don’t share things like cups, utensils, toothpaste, or hand towels.
Cover your cough with your elbow or a tissue. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands.
Talk to your contacts
If you think you might have COVID-19, talk to your contacts, which means all the people you have been around. You can spread COVID-19 starting two days before you feel sick, and for at least ten days afterwards. Think about every person who you have been around during that time. This might include people you live or stay with, friends, family, coworkers, classmates, and teachers. Let them know that they might have been exposed to COVID-19, and they should stay away from other people in case they are infected.