What Does COVID Feel Like?

As of October 2022, there have been over 620 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. The disease has claimed over 6.5 million lives, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Since it was first reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the coronavirus disease has evolved in terms of the symptoms it causes.

This article will describe some of the most common signs and symptoms of COVID to give you an idea of what COVID-19 feels like. We will also talk about some of the ways you can differentiate between COVID and other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example, a viral infectious disease, swollen tonsils, or seasonal allergies.

What are the most common symptoms of COVID-19?

Some common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, fatigue, and a loss of taste and smell sensations.

Less commonly, people with COVID may experience other symptoms like sore throat, difficulty swallowing, headache, muscle aches and pains, skin rash, pink eye, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Serious symptoms of COVID that require medical attention include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, and inability to speak or move.

This is not a complete list of COVID symptoms. The disease can look different in different people. Also, the symptoms of COVID have been changing as the disease has evolved. Newer variants cause milder diseases but are more likely to cause sore throats, for instance.

How long do COVID-19 symptoms last?

In mild to moderate cases of COVID, symptoms usually last for 1-2 weeks. In severe cases, the acute stage can last much longer.

There are three phases of infection with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes the COVID illness:

The incubation period is the time between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms. It is usually 2-14 days.
The acute phase is the period when you have active symptoms. It usually lasts 1-2 weeks.
The COVID recovery period consists of lingering symptoms like on and off fever, cough, and tiredness. This can last for several weeks. Some people develop health problems called post-COVID-19 complications that can continue for months or even longer.

Who is at risk of severe symptoms of COVID?

Most people with mild to moderate COVID recover at home without needing treatment in a hospital. Some people may even get infected with the virus and not develop any symptoms.

However, older individuals and those with existing medical conditions are at a higher risk of serious COVID-19 illness. Examples of conditions that can increase the risk of serious illness include heart disease, stroke, lung disease (asthma, COPD), cancer, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, chronic kidney disease, blood disorders like sickle cell disease or thalassemia, liver disease, dementia, pregnancy, substance use disorders, and a weakened immune system due to cancer treatment, HIV, or other causes.

How to tell the difference between COVID and flu symptoms?

COVID-19 and common illnesses like the flu, common cold, and seasonal allergies can cause similar symptoms. Some of these conditions are respiratory infections that spread in the same way as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID.

Here is a brief overview of the most common symptoms associated with each of these conditions:

COVID-19

Fever, headache, sore throat, dry cough, muscle aches, tiredness, and new loss of smell and taste are common. Nausea and vomiting may be present. Sneezing and runny or stuffy nose are rare.

Common Cold

Sore throat, cough, sneezing, and runny or stuffy nose are common. Fever, headache, aches and pains, and tiredness may be present. Nausea and vomiting are rare.

Flu

Fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, aches and pains, tiredness, and stuffy or runny nose are common. Diarrhea and vomiting may be present.

Seasonal Allergies

Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery, red, and itchy eyes, sore throat, coughing, scratchy roof of the mouth, postnasal drip (mucus running down the throat), and allergic shiners (bruised skin under the eyes) are common. Fever and aches and pains are not present with allergies.

Swollen tonsils

Red and swollen tonsils, white patches or pus on the tonsils, sore throat, pain with swallowing, hoarse voice, bad breath, fever, and enlarged glands in the neck are common signs and symptoms of swollen tonsils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Covid start with a sore throat?

The most common initial symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. However, some people may develop sore throat as the first symptom of COVID. The type and severity of the first symptoms of COVID can vary widely from person to person.

Is dry mouth and throat a symptom of covid?

Dry mouth and throat can be symptoms of COVID-19. Some studies have found that approximately half of all patients with COVID-19 experience dry mouth (medical term: xerostomia). This could be due to the effects of the virus on the salivary glands or from over-the-counter and prescription medications used to treat symptoms of COVID.

Other signs and symptoms related to dry mouth may include dry lips, lost or altered sense of taste, mouth sores, bad breath, burning tongue, excessive thirst, and difficulty with talking, chewing, and swallowing.

Can COVID-19 symptoms get worse suddenly?

COVID-19 symptoms are usually mild at first and worsen gradually. They tend to become more intense over a period of approximately five days to a week. Some people with COVID-19 can develop pneumonia and a sudden worsening of symptoms such as difficulty breathing.

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