Symptoms of COVID-19

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold. COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people with COVID-19 have mild illness, but their symptoms may suddenly worsen in a few days. Research shows that some symptoms are more likely related to COVID-19 than others.

Key symptoms of COVID-19 include:
 

• Fever or chills 
• Cough
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Difficulty breathing

Other symptoms may include:

• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Extreme fatigue or tiredness
• Headache
• Body aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea 

Go to an urgent care clinic or emergency department if you:

• find it hard to breathe
• have chest pain
• can’t drink anything
• feel very sick
• feel confused

COVID-19 symptoms in children

You can find information on fevers in children here. Children may show COVID-19 symptoms differently than adults.  For example, fatigue may show in children as poor feeding, decreased activity, or changes in behaviour. 

Take your child to your nearest emergency department or call 911 if they: 

• are having difficulty breathing
• have blue lips or skin, or appears very pale
• have red and/or swollen lips or tongue
• are coughing excessively, particularly with a fever
• are vomiting excessively, especially if there is blood in the vomit
• have diarrhea and vomiting, is not producing tears, and has not urinated for several hours
• have a high fever, appears very sleepy, and have not improved with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
• are under three months of age and has a fever of 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) or greater
• have pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
• there is new confusion
• are unable to wake or stay awake
• have severe abdominal pain
• have a spreading rash

What to do if you have symptoms that may be COVID-19

• Use the B.C. COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
• See the BCCDC page on COVID-19 Testing for more information.
• Once you have been tested you should self-isolate while you wait for the test results. 
• If your test is negative you should not return to work or school until you are feeling better. 
• If you feel unwell and are unsure about your symptoms, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1.

You should continue to seek care for other medical conditions as needed, even if it’s not related to COVID-19

Source: BCCDC