-
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Fever or 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 vomiting
Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
When to seek emergency medical attention
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
The following criteria should be used to determine if a child is well enough for school.
Keep your child home if he/she has any of the following symptoms:
Symptom
Explanation
Fever
Greater than 100.4 F. May return when fever-free for 24 hours (WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medication).
Vomiting
Any unexplained episode in the past 24 hours. May return 24 hours after the last episode.
Diarrhea
Three or more unexplained episodes of watery or loose stools in 24 hours OR sudden onset of loose stools. May return 24 hours after the last episode.
Rash
Any new rash accompanied by a fever. May return after the rash goes away or clearance is given by a health care provider.
Skin Lesions (Sores)
Drainage from a sore that cannot be contained within a bandage OR sores are increasing in size OR new sores are developing day-to-day.
Cough
Serious, sustained coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
Other
Symptoms that prevent the student from active participation in usual school activities OR student requires more care than school staff can safely provide.
Eye Health
Pink/Red eyes with exudate or discharge. May return after 24 hours of treatment and/or no further discharge.
Flu Symptoms
Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htmSigns and Symptoms Cold Influenza (Flu) Symptom onset Gradual Abrupt Fever Rare Usual; lasts 3-4 days Aches Slight Usual; often severe Chills Uncommon Fairly common Fatigue, weakness Sometimes Usual Sneezing Common Sometimes Chest discomfort, cough Mild to moderate; hacking cough Common; can be severe Stuffy nose Common Sometimes Sore throat Common Sometimes Headache Rare Common