Symptoms & Risk Factors for COVID-19
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.
Keep track of your symptoms.
If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately
Find a testing location Find a COVID-19 Testing Location.
- Do you have a pre-existing medical condition?
- Are you immunocompromised?
- Are you 65 or older?
- Are you pregnant?
- If so, you may need to take some extra precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.
Information for High-Risk Groups
What to Do About COVID-19
Page last updated May 26, 2020 - Check CDC website for most up-to-date symptoms.
Source: CDC
What You Need to Know
- Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
- Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Watch for Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2 to 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. RCPH will continue to update this list as CDC guidance changes.
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.
What to Do
If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone known or thought to have COVID-19:
- Call your primary care provider or urgent care for testing guidance. If you are unsure of who to contact, call the Randolph County Coronavirus hotline: 336-318-6227
When Is It Safe to Be Around Others Again?
If you think or know you had COVID-19 and you had symptoms:
You can be around others again after
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND
- At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND
- Symptoms have improved
If you tested for COVID-19 but had no symptoms:
If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be around others again after
- 10 days have passed since your got your positive test result
If you develop symptoms after testing - Follow the guidance for "If you think you had COVID-19 and had symptoms"
Anyone with any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of severity, and anyone who has a known exposure to COVID-19, should seek testing and:
- Avoid contact with others and practice social distancing (6 feet between you and others).
- Avoid travel when sick unless medically necessary.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and rub in until dry if soap and water are not available.
- Wear a cloth face covering when in public or around others.