What does it feel like to have COVID-19 now, and when should I seek help?

If you have memories of a brain fog, loss of sense of smell, struggling to breathe, or a painful cough before your first positive COVID-19 test, you might not suspect that today’s sore throat and mild fatigue are the result of a COVID-19 infection. But it could be. 

In general, today’s COVID-19 infections are producing more mild symptoms than we saw in the early part of the pandemic, said Susan Kline, MD, MPH, an infectious disease physician with M Health Fairview and a professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School. That’s because if you’ve been previously infected or you’ve been vaccinated, your immune system is better prepared to fight the virus.

Mild cases of COVID-19 have symptoms in common with other respiratory illnesses, like a cold or RSV. Even if your case is mild, be mindful about COVID-19 infections. Symptoms might start out mild and become more severe. Infections can still be dangerous, particularly for people over age 65 or who have underlying medical conditions. It’s still important to test and stay home if you’re sick.

“It’s pretty easy to get home tests and they’re quite reliable even for the latest variations of the virus,” Kline said. “If you test very early on in the infection, it might be negative. If you’re still having symptoms retest yourself in a day or two. If symptoms are due to COVID-19, it will turn positive.”

If you’re not feeling well or if your test comes back positive, Kline recommends staying home and isolating yourself until you’re feeling better. Wear a mask if you must be around others. Try to avoid sharing a bathroom with others and don’t share items like cups, towels, or utensils for at least five days.

“During the five-day isolation period, you’re still shedding the virus, which means you could pass it on to others,” Kline said. “But you could potentially still be contagious even after that five-day period.”

Common symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 symptoms can vary from one person to the next and from one infection to another. While many are experiencing milder symptoms these days, Kline said the full range of potential symptoms hasn’t changed much since the beginning of the pandemic. Common symptoms include:

One potential difference between COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses: “Fatigue can be more prominent than it usually is with a cold. That’s quite similar to what we’ve seen with previous variants of COVID-19.”

Low-grade fever seems to be one of the more common early markers of COVID-19, Kline said, but not everyone will have a fever. Other potential symptoms include muscle aches, headaches, loss of appetite, and loss of taste or smell. Symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after exposure. It’s also possible to have no symptoms at all, but still carry the virus and spread it.

When to seek care for COVID-19

If your symptoms are manageable at home, stay home and rest. No need to get a test at a clinic or alert your care team unless you’re experiencing severe symptoms.

“If you are having a hard time breathing, that is a sign that you or a family member should contact a medical provider right away,” Kline said. Other emergency warning signs can include persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, and bluish lips or face.

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Otherwise, you can ask your healthcare provider for advice. Your doctor might recommend a treatment.

When to get booster vaccines

New vaccines for people 6 months of age and older will be available in the fall. The new vaccines will help protect against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations. Protection from vaccines declines over time, so the CDC recommends getting a booster, even if you’ve previously gotten a COVID vaccine. You can get the vaccine at the same time as an annual flu vaccine.