COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thanks to widespread immunity from vaccination and prior infection, most current cases in healthy people are mild and similar to a cold or flu.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Common current symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, cough, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches; fever is common but not universal. Loss of taste or smell, a hallmark of earlier variants, is now less frequently reported, and shortness of breath or chest pain in someone with COVID-19 is a warning sign rather than a typical symptom.

How Long Is COVID Contagious?

Most people are considered contagious starting one to two days before symptoms appear. Current guidance is symptom-based rather than tied to a fixed isolation period: you can generally resume normal activities once your symptoms are improving overall and you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication — this can extend longer for those with more severe illness or weakened immune systems. For about five days after resuming activities, extra precautions (masking around others, keeping some distance, testing before gathering in groups) help avoid spreading it further, since some contagiousness can linger a little past that point.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Severe Illness

Older adults, people who are unvaccinated or not up to date on vaccination, and those with chronic conditions (heart or lung disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems) or obesity remain at meaningfully higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

Treatment

Most mild cases are managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter symptom relief. Antiviral treatment is available and most beneficial when started early for people at higher risk of severe illness — ask a doctor promptly after a positive test if this applies to you.