This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
Diagnosis/Testing There are 2 main types of COVID 19 tests.
PCR Tests
PCR tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. They are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. Your sample will usually be taken by a healthcare provider and transported to a laboratory for testing. It may take up to 3 days to receive results.
Antigen Tests
Antigen tests* are rapid tests that usually produce results in 15-30 minutes. Positive results are very accurate and reliable. However, in general, antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus than PCR tests, especially when symptoms are not present. Therefore, a single negative antigen test cannot rule out infection.
To be confident you do not have COVID-19, FDA
recommends 2 negative antigen tests for individuals with symptoms or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, performed 48 hours apart. A single PCR test can be used to confirm an antigen test result.
*Self-tests, or at-home tests, are antigen tests that can be taken anywhere without having to go to a specific testing site. Read self-test package inserts thoroughly and follow the instructions closely when performing the test.
Key times to get tested: If you have symptoms, test immediately.
• If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.
• If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
• If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.
• If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.
• If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
• If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
• If your second antigen test is also negative, wait another 48 hours and test a third time.
Testing can be helpful even when you don’t have symptoms or a recent exposure to COVID-19, such as before an event or visiting someone at higher risk. Test as close to the time of the event as possible (at least within 1-2 days) to help you make informed decisions about your health and your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others.
If you use an antigen test, follow recommendations for repeat testing to be confident in a negative result. Additionally, some places may test people without symptoms or a recent exposure to help keep COVID-19 from spreading to others, especially those who are at higher risk for severe illness.
Treatment
There are several FDA-authorized or approved antiviral medications used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick.
Antiviral treatments target specific parts of the virus to stop it from multiplying in the body, helping to prevent severe illness and death.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines for healthcare providers to help them work with their patients and determine the best treatment options for them. Several options are available for treating COVID-19. They include:
• Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Antiviral
• Adults; children ages 12 years and older
• Start as soon as possible; must begin within 5 days of when symptoms start
• Taken at home by mouth (orally)
• Remdesivir (Veklury) Antiviral
Adults and children
• Start as soon as possible; must begin within 7 days of when symptoms start
• Intravenous (IV) infusions at a healthcare facility for 3 consecutive days
• Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) Antiviral
The Basics 20
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