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A Timeline of COVID-19 Symptoms

man tested for coronavirus

From initial symptoms to recovery, discover out how COVID-19 symptoms progress.

Y'all've been careful. Y'all've stayed socially distant. Yous've worn a mask. You lot've washed your easily often. Only others weren't equally careful. And when you went to grab takeout last week, you bumped shoulders with someone who had COVID-19. Little did you know, they had just coughed, and you are now infected.

You may non first feeling symptoms immediately, but when you do, what can you expect?

The big 12 COVID-nineteen symptoms

Final week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added iii new COVID-19 symptoms: congestion or runny nose, nausea and diarrhea. This brings the total number upwards to 12.

With so many symptoms, it can be difficult to tell if you accept a mutual cold or COVID-19. Some symptoms overlap, which adds to the defoliation. But equally more people get infected, researchers and medical professionals are getting ameliorate at tracking what the COVID-19 symptom progression looks similar.

This information can help you pinpoint if your symptoms signal something minor or something more serious like COVID-19. While at that place is still uncertainty, and things change daily, here is what they know.

Keep in mind symptoms tin vary from person to person. Every bit many as 8% of people may show no symptoms at all. Symptoms also very in severity due to underlying wellness weather.

Pre-symptoms:

Many people with COVID-19 will go two to 14 days with minimal or no symptoms. Near volition begin feeling symptoms betwixt days four and 5 later on exposure.

Day ane of symptoms:

Symptoms typically begin balmy. They usually include a fever – whatsoever temperature 100.four F or greater – dry out cough, or shortness of breath. Fever, coughing and loss of olfactory property or gustatory modality are the nearly common symptoms.

Days two through x of symptoms:

Symptoms keep to increase in severity. The CDC says you may experience new symptoms, like:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or airsickness
  • Diarrhea

Days ten-12 of symptoms:

If someone has a severe instance of COVID-19, this is typically when they are admitted to the ICU due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), farthermost difficulty animate requiring a ventilator.

The CDC does note that an ARDS diagnosis typically happens between days viii and twelve. Simply sometimes information technology occurs as late every bit fifteen days after outset of any symptoms. Onset of difficulty breathing may be sudden.

Days ten-14 of symptoms:

If someone has a mild case of COVID-19, this is typically when they begin to feel amend. Symptoms will outset to subside. Whatsoever cough will last an average of 19 days.

Doctors recommend that people get re-tested to brand certain they no longer exam positive for the illness. This is typically washed no sooner than 14 days after diagnosis.  Follow the directions of your provider, contact tracer or other public health provider.

Prolonged Recovery and other complications

While most symptoms volition disappear on their ain, some people accept reported specific symptoms lingering. These include fever, loss of taste or odor, fatigue and a prolonged cough.

COVID-19 can damage the middle and kidneys. Bacterial infection is one possible complication.  These complications may occur as late as three weeks later onset of the initial illness. Researchers are however trying to identify why some people experience symptoms for longer than other.

Initial research about prolonged loss of olfactory property says that patients typically lose their sense of odour because of crack syndrome. This is when the tissue effectually the part of your olfactory organ responsible for odour swells up. Typically, when the virus passes and swelling goes downwardly, your sense of smell come back. Merely this hasn't been the case for all. For those with severe COVID-19 cases, some have reported losing their sense of smell for months. Some may run the run a risk of losing it permanently due to the body attacking the nasal passage when fighting COVID-19.

Researchers will continue to written report these cases. Scientists promise to have more than concrete findings in the time to come.

Nosotros still have a lot to larn when it comes to COVID-xix. Symptoms vary based on historic period and underlying health conditions, but those listed above are the most common.

If you are experiencing any of the in a higher place symptoms, telephone call your doctor for communication. And make sure to isolate if you are sick.

For information on how to find health care, visit our COVID-xix resources page.