COVID-19

On this page
Symptoms
Prevent COVID-19
What to Do If You Are Sick
What is Long COVID
Resources

COVID-19 most ofthen causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill. Some people will develop Post-COVID Conditions - also called Long COVID.

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles. These droplets and particles can land on a persons' eyes, nose, or mouth. These droplets may contaminate the surfaces they touch. Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms. COVID-19 can even spread from people to animals in some situations.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to influenza (flu) and can include:

Cough
Headache
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Fever or Chills
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Congestion or runny nose
Muscle or body aches
Nausea or vomiting

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Most patients experience relatively mild symptoms and can recover at home. Some patients, like those with underlying medical conditions, may experience more severe respiratory illness. Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, MIS-C, is a serious but rare complication of COVID-19. It causes inflammation of certain body parts.

Prevent COVID-19

Core Prevention Strategies:

Stay up-to-date on immunizations.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Clean frequently touched surfaces, like counters, handrails, and doorknobs.
Take steps for cleaner air.
Stay home if you are sick as much as possible. Avoid close contact with others.

Additional Prevention Strategies

Wear a face mask to protect yourself and others.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Test for respiratory viruses if you feel sick to help you decide what to do next.

What to Do If You Are Sick

If you feel sick with COVID-like symptoms:

Stay home if you are sick as much as possible. Avoid close contact with others, including people you live with who are not sick.
If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.
Test for respiratory viruses to help you decide what to do next.

Is there a treatment for COVID-19?

Treatment is available for COVID-19 to help prevent severe disease. It works best if started early after symptoms start. Talk to a health care provider for more information.

How long should I stay home and away from others?

Go back to your normal activities when BOTH of these are true:

Your symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours, AND
You have no fever for at least 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medication).

Even when you feel better, you might still be able to spread the virus that made you sick. Once you go back to normal activities, continue to follow core and additional prevention strategies when you will be around other people.

Remember, if you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you go back to normal activities, stay home and away from other people until you feel better and are fever free for 24 hours again.

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID is a chronic condition that occurs after a COVID-19 infection and is present for at least 3 months. Long COVID can follow asymptomatic, mild, or severe COVID-19 infection. Some people have symptoms that come and go, while others have symptoms that persist.

For more information, view Long COVID: Clinician Information and Resources.

Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention