Spotting COVID-19 and its Variants: General Symptoms List
After years of the pandemic, most individuals know the common symptoms of COVID-19. We also know that getting tested for COVID-19 (and isolating after a positive result) can help stop the spread. But the virus presents differently in different people: some experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, while others become severely ill, leading to hospitalization and in some cases, death. Recognizing COVID-19 can be challenging, but getting tested as soon as possible after an exposure or after symptoms appear remains so important.
As new and highly-transmissible variants continue to spread across our region, including Delta and the even more contagious Omicron variants, do you know what symptoms you should be looking for? Read on to learn some general symptoms that indicate your need to be tested for COVID-19:
General Symptoms of COVID-19:
-Fever or chills
-Cough
-Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
-Fatigue
-Muscle or body aches
-Headache
-New loss of taste or smell
-Sore throat
-Congestion or runny nose
-Nausea or vomiting
-Diarrhea
General Symptoms of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant:
-Dry cough
-Fever
-Night sweats
-Body pain
-Runny nose
-Headache
-Fatigue
-Sneezing
-Sore throat
General Symptoms of the COVID-19 Delta Variant:
-Headache
-Sore throat
-Runny nose
-Fever
General Symptoms of Seasonal Flu:
-Fever or feeling feverish/chills
-Cough
-Sore throat
-Runny or stuffy nose
-Muscle or body aches
-Headaches
-Fatigue
-Vomiting and diarrhea
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to get tested as soon as possible and limit your interactions with others until you have your test results. Find a testing location near you: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place
The best way to protect yourself and those you love from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All individuals over the age of 5 are eligible and studies continue to show that the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters provide significant protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. Learn more about vaccination against seasonal flu and COVID-19 on our website.