Frequently Asked Questions About Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The symptoms are similar, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. To diagnose a potential case, healthcare professionals may use a COVID-19 diagnostic test and/or run tests to rule out flu and other infections.

Individuals with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Some individuals who are infected may not have symptoms, others require ventilator support, and many have died. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chills
• fatigue
• muscle pain or body aches
• headache
• sore throat
• new loss of taste or smell
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. If you develop any symptoms and think you have been exposed, call a healthcare professional immediately.

Children with COVID-19 may have mild, cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough, and some children experience vomiting and diarrhea. Occasionally, a child gets really sick after being infected with COVID-19. There have been some rare reports of children who have multi-system inflammatory syndrome, which has been compared to Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome. Parents are advised to call their pediatrician if their child has any of the following symptoms:

• a fever that will not go away
• abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting
• rash or changes in skin color
• pink or red eyes
• trouble breathing
• the child seems confused or overly sleepy​

COVID-19 can be spread by an individual before they develop symptoms. This poses a problem because people who do not know they are infected may continue to go to work, school, and other public places. People who are sick and have symptoms are more likely to stay home, which means fewer opportunities for the virus to spread from one person to another. When asymptomatic transmission occurs, infection control experts and public health officials may need to take additional measures, such as social distancing, isolating patients, or using quarantines.

Those who think they may have been exposed to coronavirus should call a healthcare professional if they have any of the symptoms. It is important to call first, so that the clinic or hospital can prepare and prevent the spread of infection. Stay home and away from other people if you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19.

Although COVID-19 can affect anyone, individuals at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 include the following:

• Older adults (the risk for severe illness increases with age)
• People with certain medical conditions like cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, dementia, diabetes (type 1 or type 2), down syndrome, heart disease, HIV, liver disease, and sickle cell disease
• Those living in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] >30)
• Pregnant women
• Smokers
• Those who have a weakened immune system from solid organ transplant

CDC maintains up-to-date information on those at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be more likely to experience preterm birth and severe illness from COVID-19 than nonpregnant women.

Pregnant women should take steps to reduce their risk of getting sick and ensuring that those around them also take steps to minimize risk, including proper handwashing, social distancing, wearing a face mask in public, and getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Pregnant women should also get vaccinated against whooping cough and influenza (flu) during each pregnancy to protect themselves and their baby. Learn more about vaccines recommended during pregnancy.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Recent studies have indicated that COVID-19 may also be spread by people who are not showing symptoms, which is why face masks are recommended.

Everyone should practice the following healthy habits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and other respiratory viruses:

• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible
• Wear a face mask (until you are fully vaccinated)
• Practice social distancing—stay ~6 feet apart
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (or your elbow)
• Clean and disinfect common objects and surfaces
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home while you are sick
• If you need medical care, call first

Face masks can help prevent an infected individual from spreading the virus. Even if you are fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing a mask in indoor public spaces including public transportation, and at crowded, outdoor events. COVID-19 is still circulating, and people are still getting sick and dying.

Face masks are not recommended for children less than two years of age or by individuals who have trouble breathing or who cannot easily remove them.

There are currently three types of COVID-19 tests authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

• Molecular tests are used to detect the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Molecular tests are fairly accurate and can be used to diagnose the disease.
• Antigen tests are a new category of tests that can quickly detect fragments of the virus from nasal swabs. Antigen tests can provide results in minutes, but they are not as sensitive as molecular tests. Positive results from antigen tests are highly accurate, but negative results may need to be confirmed with a molecular test.
• Antibody (or serology) tests detect the body’s immune response to COVID-19 by looking for antibodies in the blood to help determine prior exposure. When the body is fighting an infection or has fought an infection, antibodies can be found in the blood. These tests do not detect the actual virus but are used to identify people who have been infected with the virus in the past.

FDA has issued emergency use authorizations for home use self-administered tests, available with a prescription or over-the-counter.

More than 380 tests have been authorized for emergency use including 275 molecular tests, 81 antibody tests, and 28 antigen tests. Accuracy varies among all of the tests. The resulting uncertainty can complicate public health decisions.

Some antibody tests have a high potential for false-negative and false-positive results. They may not be able to detect antibodies in the blood of someone who is newly infected, and they may not be able to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from other coronaviruses. The presence of antibodies may indicate immunity from COVID-19, but that has not yet been conclusively proven; nor do scientists know the duration of protection. Although serologic tests should not be used at this time to determine if an individual is immune, these tests can help determine the proportion of a population previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and provide information about populations that may be immune and potentially protected.

Serologic test results should not be used to make decisions about returning to school or the workplace. Additional data are needed before modifying public health recommendations based on serologic test results, including decisions on discontinuing physical distancing and using personal protective equipment.

View additional information from FDA about tests approved for use in the US

The Food and Drug Administration has approved treatments for certain patients who are hospitalized for COVID-19.

In addition, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed treatment guidelines for COVID-19. The guidelines, which will be updated as experts learn more about the disease, include recommendations on antiviral drugs, as well as other treatments such as convalescent plasma and dexamethasone. Talk to your healthcare professional about treatments that may be recommended for you.

Deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying ~6 feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching or spreading COVID-19.

Yes. Many routine medical visits can be provided virtually via telemedicine. Other services, including routine vaccinations, may be available in pharmacies, clinics, or physician offices that have taken appropriate precautions. It is important to make sure that you and your family members are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations.

In general, outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities, and smaller gatherings are safer than crowds. Fully vaccinated people can participate in some indoor events safely, without much risk.

View the CDC website to help choose safer activities.

Genetic variations of viruses are common and expected. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will naturally develop are changes to the genetic material in the virus over time, known as mutations.

A variant occurs when there have been several significant mutations to the virus. Variants are of concern when they affect:

• disease spread
• disease severity
• tests used to detect the virus
• vaccines and treatments