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COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms are a lot like symptoms of the flu (influenza) or other illnesses that affect the lungs and airways (called respiratory illnesses) , such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Rhinovirus that cause the common cold. 

Covid-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms are a lot like symptoms of the flu (influenza) or other illnesses that affect the lungs and airways (called respiratory illnesses) , such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Rhinovirus that cause the common cold. Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary:
 

  • from person to person

  • in different age groups

  • depending on the COVID-19 variant

You may start experiencing symptoms anywhere from 1 to 14 days after exposure. Typically, symptoms appear between 3 and 7 days after exposure. Some of the more commonly reported symptoms include:

These symptoms include:

  • fever

  • cough

  • shortness of breath

  • trouble breathing

  • sore throat

  • runny nose

  • loss of sense of smell or taste

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Other symptoms can include: 

  •          stuffy nose

  •          painful swallowing

  •          headache

  •          chills

  •          muscle or joint aches

  •          feeling unwell in general

  •          feeling more tired than usual or having no energy at all

  •          feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), throwing up, diarrhea (watery stool), or not feeling hungry

  •          pink eye (conjunctivitis)

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COVID-19 vs. Influenza

In some ways, COVID-19 is similar to influenza (also known as the flu). Both COVID-19 and the flu cause respiratory disease. The symptoms can be similar and it can be difficult to tell the difference between influenza and COVID-19 symptoms.

However, there are some key differences between COVID-19 and the flu:

  • The flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses.

  • COVID-19 causes severe disease in a higher percentage of cases than seasonal influenza.

  • Because COVID-19 can cause serious illness, it is critical to keep it from spreading by having people follow public health recommendations, including staying home and away from others if symptoms occur.

​Learn More About Omicron

​

  • Omicron is the dominant variant strain of COVID in Alberta.

  • The symptoms of the variant strains of COVID-19 are similar to the original strain.

  • Early data suggests Omicron is more infectious than the other COVID-19 variants and may result in milder symptoms, however evidence is still emerging.

  • There may be an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, so people who have been previously infected with COVID-19 could be re-infected more easily.

 Assessing your Respiratory illness Symptoms

If you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, use the assessment tool COVID-19 Self-Assessment (alberta.ca)  to help decide if you should talk to someone about your symptoms or need additional care, or if you are recommended to have COVID-19 testing. You can complete an assessment for yourself or another person, like a child/youth or someone else you are caring for.

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