Which Are the First Symptoms of the Coronavirus Disease?

Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is a deadly global pandemic. Early symptoms may include shortness of breath, fever, chills and cough.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a novel (new) coronavirus, one that has not been previously identified in humans, and is responsible for an outbreak of respiratory illness that became a global pandemic in 2020. COVID-19 is different from other coronaviruses that cause mild illness, such as the common cold.

The first symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) appear about two to 14 days after exposure and include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever or chills

Other early symptoms of coronavirus disease include:

• Muscle pain/body aches
• Altered sense of taste and/or smell
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat

Less common symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may include: 

• Diarrhea
• Nausea/vomiting
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
• Loss of appetite
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Abdominal pain

Emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention (call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital’s emergency department): 

• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets that are propelled into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. 

Less commonly, COVID-19 may be transmitted when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.

Doctors diagnose coronavirus disease with a history and physical exam, looking for symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). They will also ask the patient of they have any known recent exposure to COVID-19. 

If COVID-19 is suspected, a long swab is used to take a sample from the nose or throat, which is then sent to a lab for testing to diagnose the illness. Some viral tests are rapid and results are available within a few hours. Other tests may take several days to receive results. 

An antibody test can also help determine if a person had a past COVID-19 infection. An antibody test is not used to diagnose current infections because it takes up to 3 weeks following infection for the body to produce antibodies to the virus. When a person has antibodies to COVID-19 they may have some protection against re-infection, however, researchers do not yet know how much protection antibodies provide or for how long any protections might last. 

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and supportive care is aimed at relieving symptoms in mild cases. 

Patients with mild illness are usually advised to remain home and self-isolate for 14 days to avoid spreading the virus. Treatments for mild coronavirus disease symptoms include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers 
• Cough suppressants
• Rest
• Adequate fluid intake

For more severe coronavirus disease illness, patients may require hospitalization. Treatments may include:

• Antiviral therapy with remdesivir 
• Corticosteroids 
  • Dexamethasone is preferred
  • Prednisone, methylprednisolone, or hydrocortisone may be used if dexamethasone is not available 
• Immunotherapy 
  • Convalescent plasma
  • Immunoglobulin products
  • Interleukin inhibitors
  • Interferons
  • Kinase inhibitors
• Antithrombotic therapy: anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy 
• High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen 
• Mechanical ventilation 

Current guidelines neither recommend nor advise against the use of vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Zinc should not be taken in doses above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) due to the risk of toxicity. 

Hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a possible treatment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but studies to date have shown it to be ineffective with a high risk of fatal heart arrythmias, and it is not recommended. 

Doctors and researchers are still learning about the effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the body. Lingering complications of the illness are being discovered well after patients have recovered. 

Known coronavirus disease (COVID-19) complications include:

• Acute respiratory failure
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Pneumonia 
• Heart problems 
  • Arrhythmias
  • Acute cardiac injury
• Shock 
• Liver injury
• Kidney injury
• Abnormal blood clotting
  • Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • Stroke
• Severe secondary infections

To protect yourself from getting coronavirus disease (COVID-19): 

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use a sufficient amount to rub in for 20 seconds.
• Do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. 
• If there is an outbreak in your community, stay at home and limit close contact with others. 
• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people. 
• Wear a face mask when out in public. 

To protect others:

• Stay home if you’re sick, unless you need medical care. 
• Wear a face mask around other people if you are sick. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Discard used tissues. Immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes countertops, doorknobs, handles, tables, light switches, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Use EPA-registered household disinfectants.