How do I know have COVID-19? Signs, symptoms to watch for as variants emerge

Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman
·3 min read

In the middle of winter's cold and flu season, could some of my symptoms actually be COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to test for the disease.

Here are symptoms to look out for:

What are COVID-19 symptoms in 2024?

According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. Possible symptoms include:

  • 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

Emergency warning signs for COVID-19 that require medical attention include:

  • Trouble breathing

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • New confusion

  • Inability to wake or stay awake

  • Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone

What to do if you're exposed to COVID-19

The CDC recommends starting precautions immediately after being exposed to COVID-19 and to continue them for 10 days.

People who've been exposed to COVID-19 should wear a mask around others for all 10 days. Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19, and day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure.

Watch for symptoms during those 10 days.

What to do if you get COVID-19

You should isolate from others when you're sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status, according to the CDC.

Once you get a COVID-19 test, you can end your isolation if the result is negative. If it's positive, you should follow the CDC's full isolation recommendations.

Isolation recommendations:

  • Stay home for at least five days and isolate from others.

  • Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.

  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.

  • Do not travel.

  • Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.

  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.

  • Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.

  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils.

  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign, seek emergency medical care immediately.

If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are improving, you can end isolation after five days, according to the CDC. If your symptoms are not improving, isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, or your symptoms are improving.

The CDC recommends avoiding being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, and to wear a high-quality mask when around others until day 11, regardless of when you end isolation. Until day 11, you also shouldn't go places where you're unable to wear a mask.

You can stop wearing a mask after day 10 or if you've tested negative on two antigen tests 48 hours apart.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: COVID symptoms 2024: Signs to watch for as variants emerge