COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

COVID-19 can cause a wide range of symptoms. It’s mild illness for many people, but severe symptoms are possible for anyone.

Common COVID-19 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

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Contact your doctor about any other symptoms that are concerning to you.

COVID-19 can cause severe symptoms that need immediate treatment. Some emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 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

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room right away.

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Contact your doctor or seek care for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

If you’re experiencing COVID-like symptoms, avoid contact with others and stay home as much as possible, except for medical care or other necessities. Learn more about when and how to isolate.

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care provider, or try one of our other convenient care options. Your provider may recommend COVID-19 testing or treatment, if needed.

If you have life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room right away.

If you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed and need to be tested, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

We know how important it can be to have someone by your side when you seek medical care. In an effort to keep you safe, we might have restrictions in place. See our current visitor policy.

For most people, the symptoms of COVID-19 can be managed with over-the-counter medications that relieve pain and fever, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

If medically necessary, antiviral medications may be prescribed to treat COVID-19. Antiviral drugs are a kind of medicine used specifically to treat viral infections. You might be eligible for antiviral drugs if you’re at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

To treat COVID-19, antivirals must be given within 5-7 days of when you first develop symptoms (even if they start out mild). Contact your primary care doctor to find out if antiviral treatment is right for you.

Since the COVID-19 is a virus, your doctor will not prescribe antibiotics. Learn more about when antibiotics are prescribed.

Sometimes, a COVID-19 infection can cause lingering symptoms and health effects. This is commonly known as “long COVID.”

If you have ongoing symptoms that concern you, we’re here to provide hope and help. Our Post-COVID Recovery Care program connects you to a team of specialists for your unique needs, which may include:

• Primary care
• Cardiology (heart)
• Pulmonology (lung)
• Neurology (brain)
• Behavioral health (mental health)
• Rehabilitation
• Pain management

For more information about long COVID care, talk to your primary care doctor. Don’t have an Atrium Health primary care doctor? Search for one online or call 704-468-5872 for assistance.

Anyone can have severe symptoms from a COVID-19 infection, but some people are more likely than others to get very sick.

The risk of developing severe symptoms may be higher for people who are older. The risk is also increased for people of any age with other medical issues, like heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer and other conditions.

Ask your doctor about your personal risk for COVID-19.

You may choose to wear a mask at any time. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or you’re exposed to someone with COVID-19, experts recommend wearing a mask around others.

Masks may be required for everyone at certain Atrium Health locations. View our current guidelines.

For personal guidance on COVID-19 vaccination, talk to your primary care provider. For general COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And if you’re immunocompromised, see the CDC’s guidance for immunocompromised people for more information.    

Most health insurance plans cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. There may be a co-pay for receiving a vaccine depending on your plan. If you have questions about your coverage, check with your insurance provider.

If you don’t have health insurance, or your insurance doesn’t cover the COVID-19 vaccine, you may be eligible for free vaccination through federal programs. Search for locations that may provide free vaccines at vaccines.gov. For questions about cost, contact the location directly.