Seek emergency medical care right away if you develop warning signs such as:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in your chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have any of these symptoms. This isn't a complete list, so seek immediate care for any other severe or concerning symptoms.

COVID-19 symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or a new loss of taste or smell.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, stay home and away from others. You can return to normal activities once your symptoms are improving overall and you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

For the next 5 days, take extra precautions around others, such as wearing a well-fitted mask, improving indoor airflow, washing your hands often, keeping some distance, or testing if you must be in close contact with others. This is especially important around people at higher risk of severe illness, such as older adults, infants, and anyone who is immunocompromised.

Testing can help you determine whether you have COVID-19 and make decisions about treatment and reducing spread.

• If you have symptoms: Test as soon as possible. If an at-home antigen test is negative, test again 48 hours later. The FDA recommends at least 2 negative antigen tests, 48 hours apart, for people with symptoms.
• If you were exposed but do not have symptoms: Wait at least 5 full days after the exposure before testing. If your antigen test is negative, test again 48 hours later, then again 48 hours after that, for a total of 3 tests.
• If you test positive: You most likely have COVID-19. Follow current CDC guidance for preventing the spread of respiratory illness.
• If you're recovering from COVID-19: Retesting with a rapid antigen test can help you assess whether you may still be contagious, particularly before spending time with people at higher risk for severe illness. A positive result suggests you may still be able to spread the virus.