Symptoms

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are as follows:

• fever
• in children: 38°C (100.4°F) and above (rectal temperature),
• in adults: 38°C (100.4°F) and above (oral temperature),
• in older adults: 37.8°C (100°F) and above (oral temperature),
• or 1.1°C above the person's usual value;
• A new cough or a cough that gets worse;
• difficulty breathing;
• Sudden loss of smell without nasal congestion, with or without loss of taste.

Other symptoms may also appear such as sore throat, headache, aching muscles, intense fatigue, severe loss of appetite and diarrhea. Symptoms can be mild or more severe like those associated with pneumonia.

Some people can spread the virus without knowing it because they have no symptoms or have not yet developed them.

People most at risk of dying from complications are those:

• with a weak immune system;
• with a chronic disease such as diabetes or heart,lung and kisney disease;
• age 70 and older

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Treatment

There’s currently no treatment specifically approved for COVID-19, and no cure for an infection, although treatments and vaccines are currently under study.

Instead, treatment focuses on managing symptoms as the virus runs its course.

Seek medical help if you think you have COVID-19. Your doctor will recommend treatment for any symptoms or complications that develop and let you know if you need to seek emergency treatment.