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Recognizing Symptoms of COVID-19

A person can have COVID-19 and not show any symptoms (pre-symptomatic phase). It can take 2 to 14 days before symptoms show (symptomatic phase). Some people with COVID-19 many never show symptoms (asymptomatic cases). COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe and require different levels of care. People with COVID-19 who do not show symptoms can pass on the virus. Protect yourself by wearing a mask, hand washing and keeping a safe 6ft (2m) apart.

The most common symptoms that people do have are:

  • Fever 🤒,
  • dry cough,
  • loss of taste,
  • headaches🤕,
  • body aches,
  • fatigue,
  • muscle pain,
  • shortness of breath, and
  • difficulty breathing.

Mild symptoms include:

  • slight fever,
  • tiredness,
  • muscle aches,
  • headaches,
  • in some cases a loss of sense of smell or taste.

Most people with mild symptoms will feel better in a week.

People with moderate symptoms include:

  • fever (over 38 degrees C),
  • a frequent cough,
  • muscle aches,
  • headache.
  • Breathlessness when moving around.

People with moderate symptoms may need to stay in bed and rest. Moderate cases of COVID-19 usually last 7-14 days.

People with severe symptoms have:

  • high fever (~40 degrees C),
  • breathless when sitting down,
  • very quick breathing,
  • need to take extra breaths between words when speaking,
  • they will also complain of chest tightness and pain in the chest,
  • loss of appetite and confusion.

Medical attention is needed for people these severe symptoms. Some COVID-19 symptoms are very serious and if a person has any of these they should be taken immediately to the health facility 🏥. These include fast breathing, pale or bluish lips or difficulty speaking.

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