Many people can relate to the concern that they may have contracted COVID-19. As the virus spreads, some patients come down with severe cases, while others are unaware they even have it. It can be easy to worry that you have COVID if you start to feel like you have one of the common symptoms, such as a sore throat. COVID presents itself differently in everyone, so it is important to get tested if you think you may have it to confirm whether or not you need to quarantine.
Common Symptoms of COVID
Everyone will have a different experience if they catch COVID, which is also the case with many other illnesses. This is why it is important to see your doctor if you have concerns about a sickness that isn’t getting better on its own or concerns that you may have contracted COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Loss of taste and smell
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Although these are some of the most common symptoms of COVID, this is not nearly all of them. If for some reason, you think you may have COVID, then you should get tested as quickly as possible to confirm your diagnosis. If you do test positive for COVID, you may need to self-isolate and notify those with who you came into contact so that they can get tested too.
Other Causes of Sore Throat
Various illnesses can cause sore throat other than COVID. You may be experiencing a sore throat from another disease such as strep throat, the common cold, RSV, or the flu. Sore throats are most commonly caused by a viral infection, which could be caused by COVID or a different type of virus.
If you need to treat a mild sore throat, you may want to try gargling salt water or using some throat lozenges. This can help temporarily soothe your symptoms to improve your comfort. If your sore throat feels severe or persists for many days, you should visit your doctor for further action.
Tips for Getting Tested
Many people wonder if and when they should get tested for COVID. If you know that you’ve been exposed to someone who was sick or who tested positive for COVID, then you should get tested as soon as possible. For anyone who is feeling under the weather, if you’re experiencing symptoms similar to COVID, it is good to get tested to rule out COVID.
Getting tested for COVID is typically a pretty easy process. Choose from visiting an in-person testing site or getting tested in your home by a mobile testing service. Many people find that getting tested at home is a more convenient option since it takes away the need to leave and visit a separate location. This is also a safer option since you run less risk of exposing others to COVID if you do test positive.
