COVID-19

COVID‑19 is a contagious respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe, especially for those at higher risk. At UI Health Care, our experts provide comprehensive care and support to help you understand your symptoms, testing and treatment options, and when you should contact a health care provider.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus. Many people experience no symptoms or only mild to moderate cold‑ or flu‑like symptoms. However, COVID‑19 can cause severe or life-threatening illness, especially in older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions.

COVID‑19 spreads easily through close contact, most often when an infected person breathes out respiratory droplets that contain the virus. A person can spread COVID‑19 even if they do not have symptoms.

COVID-19 symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 infection usually start within 2 to 5 days after exposure. Symptoms may change as the virus evolves and can vary depending on whether you are vaccinated. Common symptoms include:

Fever
Chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Headache
Loss of sense of taste or smell (less common with current variants)
Sore throat
Runny/stuffy nose
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea

You should stay home and avoid contact with other people while you’re experiencing symptoms and for at least 24 hours after your fever has resolved (without fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. For the next 5 days after returning to normal activities, take added precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping distance from others.

Severe symptoms

COVID-19 has the potential to cause more serious illness, especially those with certain existing health conditions. Severe symptoms may include:

Trouble breathing
Persistent chest pain or pressure
Bluish or grayish skin
Confusion
Trouble staying awake
Fever that does not improve or worsens
Frequent vomiting or diarrhea

When to seek care

COVID-19 infections will usually go away on their own in seven to 14 days. However, if your COVID-19 symptoms are getting worse or you have a weakened immune system or other medical condition that could increase your risk for complications, contact your primary care provider or visit our schedule a walk-in or telehealth visit right away. Antiviral treatments are most effective when started within the first 5 days of symptoms.

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, seek emergency care right away.

COVID-19 risk factors

You’re more likely to catch COVID-19 if you live with or come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you spend time in crowded spaces when COVID-19 is circulating in the community.

However, some people have a higher risk of developing severe or life-threatening COVID-19. Risk factors include:

Being over the age of 65
Being under 2 years of age
Obesity
Smoking
Pregnancy
People with weakened immune systems
People with underlying medical conditions, such as:
- Moderate or severe asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney, liver, or lung disease
- Sickle-cell disease
- Diabetes
- Neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Cancer
- Organ transplantation

COVID-19 complications

Complications of severe COVID-19 can include:

Damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, and other organs
Respiratory failure
Long COVID, which is defined by lasting COVID-19 symptoms that continue four weeks or longer (per CDC).
Death

COVID-19 diagnosis

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, consider getting tested – especially if you are at higher risk for complications, since antiviral treatments work best when started early. Home antigen tests (available at pharmacies) offer quick, convenient results. If further evaluation is needed, your provider can assess you in person or through telehealth, and we offer on-site molecular testing for more accurate results.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 but have no symptoms, consider testing at least 5 days after exposure.

COVID-19 treatment

Most adults and children recover from COVID‑19 at home within one to two weeks with plenty of rest and fluids. Over-the-counter medications – such as pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, and cough suppressants – can help manage symptoms. However, caregivers should always check with a child’s primary care provider before giving any medications.

For people at higher risk of developing severe COVID‑19, a health care provider may prescribe antiviral medication, which works best when started within 5 days of symptom onset and can help reduce the risk of complications. In more serious cases, hospitalization may be required. Treatment in the hospital may include oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and occasionally support with a ventilator to help with breathing.

COVID-19 prevention

You can protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19 by:

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccination helps protect against infection, transmission, and serious illness.

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer

Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow

Dispose of tissues promptly and wash your hands. Wearing a face mask when you’re feeling unwell can also help reduce spread.

Staying home when sick

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive, stay home until your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Avoiding crowds

Consider avoiding crowded indoor spaces during surges or if you are at higher risk of complications.

Disinfecting high-touch surfaces

Keep surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops clean to help kill germs that can spread illness.

COVID-19 vaccines

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness. Current guidelines recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine annually for everyone 6 months and older. People with weakened immune systems may benefit from additional vaccine doses. Talk to your provider to schedule your vaccination.

COVID-19

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COVID-19 diagnosis

COVID-19 treatment

COVID-19 prevention

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