Previously, the CDC had said that someone who was fully vaccinated only needed to get tested after exposure if they were experiencing symptoms. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine, but you should isolate if you develop symptoms or receive a positive test result. In addition, you should wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until you receive a negative test result. In July 2021, the CDC recommended that anyone who is fully vaccinated and comes into contact with someone who has, or is suspected of having, COVID-19 should get tested three to five days after exposure. I recently spent time with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. That means isolating and contacting your doctor or local board of health to arrange testing. Therefore, at the current time, people with "flulike" symptoms should assume they have COVID. So far there has been much less than the usual number of cases of influenza, likely due to the enhanced public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID. And like the flu, the symptoms can progress and become life-threatening. How do I know if I have COVID-19 or the regular flu?ĬOVID-19 often causes symptoms similar to those a person with a bad cold or the flu would experience. Call the urgent care center or emergency department ahead of time to let the staff know that you are coming, so they can be prepared for your arrival. If you have a high or very low body temperature, shortness of breath, confusion, or feeling you might pass out, you need to seek immediate medical evaluation. They can direct you to the best place for testing and treatment in your area. If you do not have a doctor and you are concerned that you or your child may have COVID-19, contact your local board of health. What should I do if I think I or my child may have a COVID-19 infection?įirst, call your doctor or pediatrician for advice. In addition, some people have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain or discomfort associated with COVID-19. Specific neurological symptoms seen in people with COVID-19 include loss of smell, inability to taste, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, dizziness, confusion, delirium, seizures, and stroke. These may occur with or without respiratory symptoms.įor example, COVID-19 affects brain function in some people. People with COVID-19 can also experience neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, or both. In some people, COVID-19 causes more severe symptoms like high fever, severe cough, and shortness of breath, which often indicates pneumonia. When the virus does cause symptoms, common ones include fever, body ache, dry cough, fatigue, chills, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite, and loss of smell. Some people infected with the virus have no symptoms. What does that entail, and what can you do to prepare yourself for an extended stay at home? How soon after you're infected will you start to be contagious? And what can you do to prevent others in your household from getting sick? Visit our Coronavirus Resource Center for more information on coronavirus and COVID-19. If you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or begin to experience symptoms of the disease, you may be asked to self-quarantine or self-isolate. If you've been exposed, are sick, or are caring for someone with COVID-19