The symptoms for COVID-19 can be very similar to those of the seasonal flu or even a common cold. Here’s what you should do if you feel ill and are worried you have COVID-19.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said federal and provincial health authorities are preparing for a ‘range of scenarios,’ but that Canadians can take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. 2:08
Public health officials believe the rate of COVID-19 cases in Canada is going to get worse before things start to get better. If you feel sick, when should you get tested?
Here are some basic facts about the virus, its symptoms, prevention, and what to do if you believe you are infected.
What are the symptoms?
Unfortunately, the initial symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to the seasonal flu and even the common cold, so you may not know whether you are infected with COVID-19.
The symptoms can include:
- fever;
- cough;
- difficulty breathing;
- pneumonia in both lungs (which would be seen on a chest x-ray).
Not everyone who is infected with COVID-19 has symptoms, and some people will only exhibit very minor symptoms.
“About 80 per cent of people will not get really sick from this,” Dr. Samir Gupta, a respirologist, told CBC News.
The only way to confirm COVID-19 is with a lab test. Symptoms may appear as soon as two days after exposure or for as long as 14 days after exposure.
The flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19.
What should you do if you have symptoms?
If you are under 50 years old and otherwise healthy, just stay home and take care of yourself. Definitely don’t go to hospital, says Dr. Andrew Morris, an infectious disease specialist at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
“The hospital’s like the worst place for anyone other than people who are really sick and who will need hospitalization. Just being infected with a viral infection is not a reason to go to hospital.”
But it is a good reason if you are older, have a compromised immune system, or are experiencing shortness of breath.
The most important thing to do is to call ahead to your health care