Yes, congestion can be the only symptom of COVID-19 in some cases. The disease can present with a variety of symptoms that may range from mild to severe.
The symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Changes in taste or smell
- Headache
- Bodyache
- Trouble breathing
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea, vomiting
- Painful abdomen
If you have any of these symptoms or if you have been exposed to a case of COVID-19, you must contact your healthcare provider.
Immediate medical attention must be sought in case of:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Breathing difficulty
- Excessive drowsiness or lethargy
- Altered mental status or confusion
- Blue or gray or pale appearance of the lips, skin, or nails
How long do COVID-19 symptoms take to appear?
The symptoms of COVID-19 may appear anywhere between 2 and 14 days after exposure to the infection. Rarely, symptoms may appear after 14 days of infection. The period between the exposure to the infection and the appearance of the first symptom is called the incubation period.
Many people do not exhibit any symptoms (remain asymptomatic). People infected with COVID-19 who do not show any symptoms are called asymptomatic carriers because they can transmit the infection to others.
According to studies done so far, Omicron, the latest coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variant, generally has a shorter incubation period. Symptoms usually appear within three days of exposure to the infection. More studies are underway to understand more accurately the incubation period of Omicron.
How long should you isolate if you have COVID-19?
According to the latest guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people diagnosed with COVID-19 must isolate for five days.
If a person is asymptomatic or their symptoms are going away (which means they had no fever for 24 hours), they must follow the five-day isolation with another five days of wearing a proper face mask when around other people. This helps minimize the risk of infection.
The isolation period has been shortened because studies revealed that the infection transmission risk is highest in one to two days before and two to three days after the symptoms appear.
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
These two terms have become popular since the emergence of COVID-19. Both isolation and quarantine help minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in the community.
- Isolation refers to the measure taken to prevent the spread of infection after the person is diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Quarantine means the behavioral practices in a person who has been exposed to (and not diagnosed with) COVID-19.
Thus, quarantine is done for a healthy person who has been exposed to infection, whereas isolation is done for a sick person diagnosed with the infection.
People who have received a booster shot do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. They, however, must wear a well-fitted mask for 10 days following the exposure.
Unvaccinated individuals or those who did not receive a booster and received their second mRNA vaccine dose more than six months back or the J&J vaccine more than two months back must quarantine for five days. This should be followed by proper mask use for the next five days. If they cannot quarantine for five days, they must wear a well-fitted mask for 10 days when around people.
Traveling or being around high-risk people must be avoided during these 10 days. A test for COVID-19 must be done as soon as symptoms appear. It is advisable to get a test done on the fifth day after the exposure.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Top Can Congestion Be the Only Symptom of COVID-19 Related Articles
Coronavirus COVID-19 Prevention: Test Your Medical IQ
What's really the best way to prevent the spread of new coronavirus COVID-19? Should wear a mask or not? Take this quiz to find out!
COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Articles of Interest
Read about COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease. See interesting articles related to vitamins and supplements to boost immunity, symptoms, prevention, vaccines, historical comparisons to past pandemics, and more.
COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts Quiz
The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to be safe and effective as established by data from large clinical trials.
How Do the COVID-19 Coronavirus Tests Work?
Tests used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may use two methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia. Genomic or molecular detection confirms the presence of viral DNA. The immunoglobulin or serology tests can tell whether or not you have been exposed to coronavirus, but not whether you are currently infected. Both tests administered in tandem can give you your complete COVID-19 infection status.
How Do You Know if You Have a Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) or COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Learn how the signs and symptoms of a sinus infection are different from those caused by COVID-19.
How Do You Know if You Have Bronchitis or COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
What is the difference between bronchitis and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? Learn how to recognize the symptoms of bronchitis and COVID-19 to help you treat either illness. Bronchitis or “chest cold” refers to the inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs. Air passes through the lungs within a network of tubules called bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is often associated with persistent, nagging coughs with mucus. Learn more about when a cold becomes bronchitis.
How Long Is a COVID-19 Patient Contagious?
People infected with COVID-19 can still be contagious even when they stop feeling sick, so precautionary measures should continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms disappear and until the COVID-19 test result is negative. Ideally, patients should be quarantined at home or an institution for 2 weeks after the symptoms completely disappear.
Lung and Respiratory: Signs That You May Have Had COVID-19
Could you have already had COVID-19 and not know it? Learn some signs that might indicate just that.
How to Differentiate Between the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19, Allergies, Cold, and Flu?
Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without the need for intensive or special treatment. Serious illness is more likely in elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer.
Skin Problems: Rosacea, Acne, Shingles, Covid-19 Rashes
Learn to spot and treat skin conditions commonly found in adults such as acne, Covid-19 rashes, eczema, shingles, psoriasis, rosacea, hives, cold sores, razor bumps, athlete's foot, and more dermatology details.
Tests Available for COVID-19
Getting tested for COVID-19 can identify you as a positive or negative patient of the disease. Remember no test is 100% accurate. Different methods of testing have been launched to trace COVID-19 infection.
What Do COVID-19 Body Aches Feel Like?
COVID-19 body aches feel like dull muscle pain and can affect the shoulders, lower back, or legs. Learn more about coronavirus symptoms. Check out the center below for more medical references on the coronavirus, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
What Is Considered to Be Fever for COVID-19?
A body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher is generally seen in people with COVID-19, although not everyone who is infected with the virus will develop a fever. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to infection. Other COVID-19 symptoms may include cough, runny nose, body aches, headache, sore throat, difficulty breathing, nausea with or without vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, and abdominal pain.
What Is the COVID-19 Antibody Test For?
The COVID-19 antibody test, also known as a serology test, is a blood test that looks for antibodies to determine whether you have had a recent or past infection of the virus that causes COVID-19.
What Is the COVID-19 Antigen Test?
What is the COVID-19 antigen test? Learn what the rapid antigen test is used for, how it works, and what the pros and cons are.
Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic Outbreak: What You Need to Know
A new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) was reported from Wuhan, China in December, 2019. This outbreak of respiratory flu-like symptoms has quickly spread resulting in a worldwide pandemic. Learn about symptoms, treatment, prevention and vaccine efforts.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention Quiz
Why is coronavirus considered dangerous? What are the symptoms you should look for? Take this COVID-19 prevention quiz to learn how to protect yourself.