The two most frequently reported main symptoms of Covid-19 in currently circulating variants are a sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Common New COVID Variant Symptoms in 2025
Some people may have symptoms that get worse about 5 to 7 days after symptoms start. Most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. But COVID-19 can cause serious medical complications and lead to death. Older adults and people who already have medical conditions are at greater risk of serious illness.
Symptoms of coronavirus include:
Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold? COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. There's no cure for the common cold.
Take Over-The-Counter Medications
Antivirals are most effective if started within the first 48 hours of symptoms. If used accurately, they can shorten the duration of illness by about 24 hours and decrease the risk of complications, especially in high-risk populations.
COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The symptoms of a cold may come on gradually, while the flu usually starts abruptly. Below is a chart that may help determine which illness you have. Symptoms can vary widely with each of these illnesses.
You can be contagious for 1-2 days before symptoms appear and up to 8-10 days following symptom onset. You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms. Social distancing should continue until, for at least 24 hours, symptoms improve and you're fever-free without medications.
Taking Care of Yourself at Home
Researchers in Japan have pinpointed a biological cause of Long COVID brain fog using advanced PET brain imaging. They discovered widespread increases in AMPA receptor density linked to cognitive impairment and inflammation.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests detect antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests can help identify people who may have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or have recovered from COVID-19. Antibody tests should not be used to tell you if you have an active COVID-19 infection.
Common symptoms include:
Unusual COVID-19 symptoms: What are they?
Possible symptoms include:
You may wonder if a sore throat is still a symptom of COVID-19 or if there are other more prevalent symptoms to look out for. Yes, sore throat and COVID are still closely associated, and a painful throat is often one of the first symptoms.
The COVID virus has more success surviving on hard surfaces, such as glass and plastic, than on porous ones like bedding. Once the virus lands on a porous material like a fabric, the droplets evaporate much quicker than they do on a hard surface.
Taking vitamin C every day to try to prevent colds won't protect most people from colds. It only slightly shortens the amount of time that they're ill. Starting to take vitamin C once you already have cold symptoms won't have any effect on your cold.
Particles from an infected person can move throughout an entire room or indoor space. The particles can also linger in the air after a person has left the room – they can remain airborne for hours in some cases.
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
The "worst days of COVID" vary for individuals (often peak illness days 5-10 for severe symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue) and globally (major surges in 2020, winter 2021, Omicron waves in 2022-2023), marked by hospitalizations, deaths, and societal disruption, but the enduring struggle is "Long COVID" with persistent symptoms like extreme fatigue, brain fog, and heart issues, impacting daily life for months or years after the initial infection.
Signs and symptoms
Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include: Fever or feeling feverish/having chills (Not everyone with flu will have a fever.) Cough. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
7 Steps to Take After a Virus Has Hit Your Home
Foods to Avoid if You Have COVID
While there are no “wrong” foods, certain items should be eaten sparingly as you recover from the virus. These include: Foods that are high in saturated fat. Sugary drinks.
“You should be hydrated enough so that your urine is almost clear,” says Thayer. If you have diarrhea or if you're sweating from a fever or chills, make sure you have salt or a little sugar in your fluids—think broths, fresh juices or electrolyte solutions like Gatorade—because salt and sugar can help you retain water.