From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been so much that we didn't know about the virus. In the course of the last couple of years, we've learned that some of that information was correct in the beginning, and some of it has changed. Even the virus itself has changed and mutated.
One of the most important things that we've learned is that symptoms can vary from case to case. Some people are barely sick and experience very few symptoms while others become extremely ill with every symptom ever experienced. Sometimes, symptoms mimic a cold, flu, or seasonal allergies. That can make it difficult to understand and treat COVID-19.
With that in mind, we've put together a list of some of the most common symptoms, symptoms that are a sign that you need to get to a hospital, and some more unusual symptoms that you may not know about as well as what to look for in children.
The Most Common COVID-19 Symptoms
The most common COVID symptoms are some of the same symptoms you might get when you have a cold, the flu, or allergies. They include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Body and muscle aches
- Cough (usually a dry cough)
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Headache
Many people report that their sense of taste and smell changes or disappears completely, even if they don't have other symptoms and aren't experiencing a stuffy or runny nose that might affect smell and taste.
Digestive Symptoms of COVID-19
Initially, it was believed that COVID-19 did not affect your digestive system. While everyone doesn't experience these symptoms, they have become increasingly common. They are:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
COVID-19 Symptoms That Signal an Emergency
In many cases, if you come down with COVID-19, you can treat it at home like you would something like the flu or a cold, but there is also the chance that it could become an emergency. Older people with other medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease are more likely to experience these symptoms. If you do, you need to get to an emergency room immediately. They are:
- Trouble breathing
- Pain or pressure in your chest, particularly if it is persistent
- Confusion or delirium
- Trouble staying awake
- Pale, gray, or blue skin, nails, or lips
In some cases, people with severe COVID-19 had strokes. Of course, any time you think you or a loved one has had a stroke, it's important to call 911 or get to a hospital immediately. Signs and symptoms might include:
- Numbness or weakness in one side of the face
- Numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, usually on one side
- Difficulty speaking or hard to understand when speaking
- Sudden blurry or no vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden dizziness
- Sudden trouble walking, which might include loss of balance or poor coordination
Unusual Symptoms of COVID-19
Not every person responds to COVID-19 the same way. For some people, that means their illness is more severe than it is for others. For others, this means experiencing unusual symptoms. While this isn't a complete list, these are some of the more unusual symptoms that some people have experienced when they've had the virus:
- Brain fog (mild confusion, lack of clarity, inability to focus)
- Hallucinations
- Elevated heart rate, especially after activity
- Skin irritation, rashes, roughness, or discoloration
- Vocal cord neuropathy
- Swelling or discoloration of the fingers and toes (many refer to this as "COVID toes")
- Blisters or bumps on the skin
- Pink eye
- Other eye problems like itchiness, soreness, or sensitivity to light
- Blood clots, especially in those with severe cases
- Hearing loss
- High blood sugar
- Hair loss
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
- Joint or muscle pain
- Changes in menstrual cycles
- Difficulty sleeping
- Pins and needles feeling
- Depression
- Anxiety
COVID-19 Symptoms in Children
One thing we know for certain is that infants and children don't seem to get as sick when they come down with COVID-19 as adults. Many of them have mild symptoms or may not even experience any symptoms at all. However, if your child does test positive, it's important to keep them home, even if they don't seem to feel bad. Children who do have symptoms usually experience:
- Nasal congestion
- Headaches
- Fever
- Cough
- Loss of taste and smell
- Extreme fatigue
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Pain in the chest
- Changes in skin, particularly discolored hands and toes
- Muscle aches and pains
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If your child develops the same emergency symptoms listed for adults, make sure they get to an emergency room ASAP. While it's far less likely to happen in kids, it is possible.
