What Would I Feel Like If I Had COVID-19? Symptoms vary quite a bit from person to person. In many cases, in fact, people who are infected are what’s known as asymptomatic, meaning they don’t exhibit any symptoms, or pre-symptomatic, meaning the symptoms haven’t shown up yet. But if you have COVID-19, you may experience fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, or a runny nose. If you have any symptoms, your next steps are important.
What to Do If You Have Symptoms
- Keep track of your symptoms.
- Contact your healthcare provider and describe your symptoms.
- If you experience shortness of breath or chest pain, seek emergency medical attention.
- For minor symptoms, treat the symptoms with OTC meds and self-care.
- Separate yourself from others.
How Can I Lower My Risk of Getting Sick?
Because the virus is spread by airborne particles that are expelled when someone who is infected sneezes, coughs or even breathes, your best defense is to avoid contact with others as much as possible. This won’t last forever, but it is helpful for now. While the stay-at-home order has been lifted, it’s still a good idea to remain in your home as much as possible. When you’re out in public, you’ll want to take other steps recommended by the CDC to prevent COVID-19.Basics of COVID-19 Prevention
- Stay six feet away from others while outside the home.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects often.
- Wear a cloth face covering when out in public if age 2 or older.
- Avoid contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms.
