COVID-19 is an infectious viral disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can include fever, chills, body aches, runny nose, congestion, and loss of taste or smell. In severe cases, the disease can cause extreme respiratory distress. Seek medical help immediately if you have trouble breathing, confusion, persistent pain in the chest, or feel unable to stay awake. For mild cases, most people can remain at home and treat their symptoms with over-the-counter medication. People at higher risk of severe symptoms can be prescribed antiviral medications.
What Is COVID-19? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionMedically Reviewed by Jane Yoon Scott, MD | September 29, 2023
FAQ
What should I do if I have COVID-19?
If you have COVID-19, you can take over-the-counter medications to help with a fever and other viral symptoms while resting at home. If you’re at high risk of severe symptoms, you may be prescribed an antiviral medication or convalescent plasma.
How can I tell if I have COVID-19 or a common cold?
A cold and COVID-19 can have very similar symptoms, including a cough and body aches. The best way to tell them apart is to take a COVID-19 test either at home or at a physician’s office.
What is the recovery time for COVID-19?
Most people with mild to moderate COVID-19 will recover in about one to two weeks or sooner. Some people will develop long-COVID after the initial infection. Long COVID symptoms include brain fog and fatigue that can last for months or years.
How long should I quarantine if I have COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, it’s a good idea to stay at home, isolated from other people, until your symptoms improve. If you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication, you’re much less likely to be contagious.
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Jane Yoon Scott, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowe...
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Ira Daniel Breite, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He is an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he also sees patien...
Jason Chua, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Division of Movement Disorders at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his training at th...
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Jessica Lee, MD, practices general otolaryngology at Charleston ENT and Allergy in South Carolina. After several years in clinical and surgical practice, Dr. Lee wanted to learn mo...
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