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Safe Information Just For You & Your Family!

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COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • New confusion

  • Inability to wake or stay awake

  • Bluish lips or face

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

  • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue (tiredness)

  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

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What are the emergency warning signs of flu?

People experiencing these warning signs should obtain medical care right away.

Children

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing

  • Bluish lips or face

  • Ribs pulling in with each breath

  • Chest pain

  • Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)

  • Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)

  • Not alert or interacting when awake

  • Seizures

  • Fever above 104°F

  • In children less than 12 weeks, any fever

  • Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

  • Worsening of chronic medical conditions

Adults

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

  • Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse

  • Seizures

  • Not urinating

  • Severe muscle pain

  • Severe weakness or unsteadiness

  • Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

  • Worsening of chronic medical conditions

These lists are not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.

Common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold.

Children younger than 6 are at greatest risk of colds, but healthy adults can also expect to have two or three colds annually.

Most people recover from a common cold in a week or 10 days. Symptoms might last longer in people who smoke. If symptoms don't improve, see your doctor.

Symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

Signs and symptoms, which can vary from person to person, might include:

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Sore throat

  • Cough

  • Congestion

  • Slight body aches or a mild headache

  • Sneezing

  • Low-grade fever

  • Generally feeling unwell (malaise)

The discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color as a common cold runs its course. This isn't an indication of a bacterial infection.

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Adults — seek medical attention if you have:

  • Fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C)

  • Fever lasting five days or more or returning after a fever-free period

  • Shortness of breath

  • Wheezing

  • Severe sore throat, headache or sinus pain

Children — in general, your child doesn't need to see the doctor for a common cold. But seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following:

  • Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up to 12 weeks

  • Rising fever or fever lasting more than two days in a child of any age

  • Symptoms that worsen or fail to improve

  • Severe symptoms, such as headache or cough

  • Wheezing

  • Ear pain

  • Extreme fussiness

  • Unusual drowsiness

  • Lack of appetite

Prevention

There's no vaccine for the common cold, or Covid-19. but you can take extra precautions to slow the spread of cold viruses, the flu, and stop the spread of Covid-19:

  • Wash your hands frequently. Clean your hands thoroughly and with soap and water, and teach your children the importance of hand-washing. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

  • Disinfect your stuff. Clean kitchen and bathroom counter tops with disinfectant, especially when someone in your family has a cold. Wash children's toys periodically throughout the day.

  • Use tissues. Sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, then wash your hands carefully.

    Teach children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue. That way they cover their mouths without using their hands.

  • Wear proper fitting face masks and wash daily.

  • Don't share. Don't share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups.

  • Avoid contact with anyone who has a cold.

  • Implement Social Distancing to 6 feet apart. Avoid large crowds or groups of people.

  • Keep sick children or anyone who has been exposed at home and self isolate for 14 days.

  • Take care of yourself! Stay Hydrated!

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