Know the Symptoms and Take Precautions

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Last updated November 25, 2020, 10:55 am.

Symptoms

Please note: If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 right away. Don’t delay. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or any serious medical problem should be treated right away. Emergency medical professionals are available to treat you safely.

People with COVID-19 experience a wide range of symptoms, and health experts are learning more about symptoms every day. Symptoms include: 

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • chills
  • headache
  • body aches
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • sudden loss of smell or taste 

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or you feel you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, don’t panic. Stay home, self-isolate, and call your doctor or a test site for an appointment (see below).

Please do not go to a doctor’s office or emergency department without calling ahead. 

Please do not wait for a test or for your results to isolate yourself. If you feel sick enough to be concerned about COVID, please stay home and isolate yourself from others right away.

Isolation vs. Quarantine vs. Social Distancing

Are you sick and not sure what to do? Did someone close to you recently find out they have COVID-19? Confused about the terms isolation, quarantine, and social distancing? Get the basics here in English y en español, or find more detailed guidance here in English and aqui en español.

Guidance for Worksites and Other Organizations

COVID19-symptoms_Updated English
COVID19-symptoms_Updated Spanish

Feel sick? Know someone who is feeling sick? Feeling fine? Click this chart for advice (in English and Spanish)

COVID management_Revised_English_033020

A Note about Children


Health officials are monitoring a rare but serious illness in children and adolescents (under age 21) called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Some doctors think MIS-C may be related to having COVID-19, but the connection is not yet clear.

Parents should know the symptoms and seek care right away if they notice those symptoms in their child. Health care providers must report any patient who meets the case definition to their state or local health department. 

This is an evolving situation, and researchers are learning more every day. Please check the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.

The NYC Department of Health issued this fact sheet listing symptoms and providing more information (calling the syndrome by a slightly different name).
MIS_C Basics and Symptoms_051820