Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms have included cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and pneumonia in both lungs. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. This is the longest known incubation period for this disease.

If you or your child become ill

Reduce your contact with others; isolate yourself at home for 14 days to avoid spreading it to others: if you live with others, stay in a separate room or keep a 2-metre distance. Visit a health care professional or call your local public health authority : call ahead to tell them your symptoms and follow their instructions.

Check if you have been exposed

Check exposure locations to see if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Take care of your mental health

It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or worried in a crisis. Make sure to care for your mental and physical wellbeing and to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed.

Diagnosis of coronavirus

Coronavirus infections are diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms and are confirmed through laboratory tests.

Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own. If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should self-monitor and consult your health care provider. They may recommend steps you can take to relieve symptoms.

At this time, a vaccine or therapy to treat or prevent this disease has not yet been developed. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global review of therapies that may be used to treat or prevent the disease. Health Canada is fast tracking the importation and sale of medical devices used to diagnose, treat or prevent COVID-19 .

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people and others cause illness in animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold.

What other coronaviruses have spread from animals to humans?

There have been 2 other specific coronaviruses that have spread from animals to humans and which have caused severe illness in humans: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV) .

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and treatment

Want to join the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19?

Download COVID Alert

COVID-19 symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person. They may also vary in different age groups.

Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines are all highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 illness and death. However, vaccines are rarely 100% effective and you may still become infected with or without symptoms.

Some of the more commonly reported symptoms include:

new or worsening cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
temperature equal to or more than 38°C
feeling feverish
chills
fatigue or weakness
muscle or body aches
new loss of smell or taste
headache
abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
feeling very unwell

You can infect others even if you don't have symptoms

You may be infected but not have symptoms. However, you can still spread the virus to others. You may:

develop symptoms later (be pre-symptomatic)
never develop symptoms (be asymptomatic)

Follow the advice of your local public health authority on quarantine or isolation if you:

don’t have symptoms but have been exposed to someone who has or who may have COVID-19
have tested positive

Vaccination efforts continue to increase vaccine coverage and lower community transmission. Even with increased coverage, continue to follow the advice of your local public health authority on the use of individual public health measures.

Learn more about:

If you have severe symptoms

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you develop severe symptoms, such as:

significant difficulty breathing
chest pain or pressure
new onset of confusion
difficulty waking up

Follow instructions for safe transport if taking an ambulance or a private vehicle to a hospital or clinic.

If you’re sick or caring for someone who’s sick

If you’re infected with COVID-19, even if not ill, follow the advice of your local public health authority for isolating at home. Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own.

Adults and children with mild COVID-19 symptoms can stay at home while recovering. You don’t need to go to the hospital.

If you’re caring for someone at home who has or may have COVID-19, you should follow the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of illness.

Learn more about:

Getting tested

The only way to confirm you have COVID-19 is through a laboratory test.

Follow the testing directions provided by your local public health authority if you have:

symptoms
been exposed to a person with COVID-19

People who are partially or fully vaccinated may still be asked to get a COVID-19 test.

If you’ve been tested and are waiting for the results, follow instructions:

on how to quarantine or isolate and
from your local public health authority

Learn more about:

If you've tested positive

If you've tested positive for COVID-19, you must isolate at home and away from others, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

If you develop symptoms during your isolation period:

continue isolating and
follow directions provided by your local public health authority or health care provider

Learn more about:

COVID Alert

Consider downloading and using the COVID Alert app. It can let people know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.

If the app notifies you about potential exposure, you should follow the guidance from your local public health authority.

You can help slow the spread of infection and prevent future outbreaks.

Treating COVID-19

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, consult your health care provider. They may recommend steps or medications you can take to relieve some of your symptoms, like fever and cough.

Follow the advice of your health care provider, who may prescribe treatments.

Learn more about:

COVID-19 treatments

Long-term symptoms

Some people who become infected with COVID-19 may experience long-term symptoms, even after they recover from their initial infection. This is sometimes called post COVID-19 condition or long COVID.

Studies are underway to further understand what causes post COVID-19 condition and how to diagnose and treat it.

If you think you have this condition, talk to your health care provider about how to manage your symptoms.

Learn more about post COVID-19 condition.

Language selection

Search

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and treatment

Want to join the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19?

On this page

COVID-19 symptoms

You can infect others even if you don't have symptoms

If you have severe symptoms

If you’re sick or caring for someone who’s sick

Getting tested

If you've tested positive

COVID Alert

Treating COVID-19

Long-term symptoms

Related links

COVID-19 Virtual Assistant

What COVID-19 information do you need?

Did you find what you were looking for?