COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to very severe. Not everyone who has COVID-19 will have the same symptoms or even show symptoms at all.
Symptoms can include but are not limited to:
The virus can affect anyone. All age groups should take the risk of COVID-19 seriously.
Vaccines are an important tool to stop COVID-19.
Getting a COVID-19 shot will help prevent illness from COVID-19, save lives, and with time, help end the pandemic.
Vaccinating everyone will take time. While we wait for most of the population to get vaccinated, we need to continue wearing masks, practice physical distancing, and frequently wash our hands to stop the spread.
We can all take actions to stop the spread of COVID-19, save lives, and protect the health of our communities.
The more we know about COVID-19, the more we can do to stop the spread.
If you think you are sick with COVID-19, call your doctor for medical advice. Stay home except to get medical care.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing, ongoing pain or pressure in your chest, confusion, and bluish lips or face. If you feel you have a medical emergency, call 911 right away.
The best solution is to take steps to prevent getting the virus in the first place. Stay home, wash your hands often, disinfect frequently touched surfaces and try not to touch your face.
Remember that some people who have COVID-19 do not feel sick or show symptoms but can still spread the virus to others. To stop the spread, practice physical distancing (staying at least six feet away from others) even if you and the people around you feel healthy.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor. Your doctor may refer you for testing to confirm your diagnosis. Follow the advice of your doctor and local health department while isolating in your home.
Patients with mild symptoms may be able to recover at home. Although there is currently no treatment specifically for COVID-19, you can take steps to recover.
If you need to leave your home, wear a cloth face covering or mask.
Cloth face coverings offer some protection and help people who may have COVID-19 and do not know it from spreading it to others when talking, sneezing, or coughing.
Face coverings are not a replacement for other measures of protection like hand washing and physical distancing. You should still wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and keep six feet between yourself and others.
Cloth face coverings should:
The CDC has instructions for two kinds of cloth face coverings – one you can sew and one you can make without sewing.
It is impossible to predict exactly when we will be able to fully return to a more familiar way of life. It will take time and will likely not be over quickly. The more consistently we all stay at home, follow physical distancing guidelines, and continue other actions like washing our hands, the sooner it will happen.
Keep in mind that there will be a slow process of returning to normal and moving about in public freely. Physical distancing and other safety practices like staying at home will likely need to continue for some time to make sure there is not a new increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. For example, when stay-at-home orders are lifted, there may still be limitations on how large group gatherings can be.
There will be a slow process of returning to normal and moving about in public freely. Physical distancing and other safety practices like staying at home will likely need to continue for some time to make sure there is not a new increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
It’s possible we could see an increase in COVID-19 cases as stay-at-home orders and other restrictions have been lifted. If so, states and counties may need to re-issue stay-at-home orders or put other limitations in place.
It is impossible to predict exactly when we will be able to fully return to a more familiar way of life. Keep in mind that there will be a slow process of returning to normal. There will likely be travel restrictions for some time.
