provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content

GoodRx Guide

COVID-19

Comprehensive information for you or a loved one — including treatment options and discounts on popular medications.
Sophie Vergnaud, MDKarla Robinson, MD
Written by Sophie Vergnaud, MD | Reviewed by Karla Robinson, MD
Updated on December 19, 2024

Definition

COVID-19 stands for “coronavirus disease of 2019.” COVID is the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The World Health Organization (WHO) named the disease on February 11, 2020. Before this, SARS-CoV-2 hadn’t been seen in humans. 

The first human cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Healthcare workers noticed a new pattern of symptoms, including fever, body aches, and difficulty breathing.

The virus is highly contagious, and since then it has spread worldwide. In March 2020, the WHO classified it as a global pandemic, with many new variants continuing to emerge.

In May 2023, the WHO declared the end of the global Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID. On May 11, 2023, the PHE also ended in the U.S. But COVID hasn’t gone away. COVID may no longer be an emergency, but it’s still a public health priority.

Transmission

The virus that causes COVID is highly contagious. It spreads from person to person in a way similar to how the flu or common cold spreads: through airborne droplets of saliva or mucus that contain the virus. This means that the virus can spread in the following ways: 

  • When someone breathes in droplets that contain the virus (which come from an infected person nearby who’s coughing, sneezing, or even just breathing)

  • When virus-containing droplets come into contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, lips, or mouth)

  • When a person has infected droplets on their hands, and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes 

Your chances of catching the virus go up the longer and closer you're around someone who has COVID infection. 

This virus also spreads quickly because people can spread it before they develop symptoms. That means isolating people who are sick is only partially effective at stopping the spread. This is especially true since some people get no symptoms at all — and they can still spread the virus.

Symptoms

People with COVID infection can experience a wide range of symptoms, from mild, cold-like congestion to severe illness. Symptoms of a COVID infection include:

People who get infected with COVID can experience anything from no symptoms to mild symptoms and severe illness requiring intensive-care treatment and ventilation. Some cases of COVID can even cause death. 

Diagnosis

There are two categories of tests for COVID: molecular and antigen tests. These test for active (current) infection: 

  • Molecular: A molecular test, such as a PCR test, looks for viral genetic material. These are the most accurate type of COVID test, but it may take longer to get the results.

  • Antigen tests: These are the most common type of rapid tests. They look for proteins on the surface of the virus. They’re widely available for at-home testing.

Here’s when to get tested for COVID:

  • If you have symptoms of COVID, test right away — even if you're fully vaccinated or have had COVID before. If your antigen test is negative, test again after 48 hours.

  • If you have been in close contact with a person who has confirmed COVID infection, test at least 5 days after that exposure.

Early in the pandemic, people had symptoms around the same time they had high levels of the virus. But research shows that viral loads can peak 3 to 5 days after symptoms start. And this means that a COVID test may not detect the virus until later in your illness. So, when in doubt, consider repeat testing.

Treatments

There’s currently no cure for COVID. If you’re generally healthy and have a mild illness, you’ll want to focus on over-the-counter (OTC) supportive treatment for your symptoms and get plenty of rest until you feel better. This usually includes:

  • Drinking lots of fluids

  • Pain reliever and fever reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)

  • Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)

  • Expectorant such as guaifenesin (Mucinex)

  • Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan

For people with mild-to-moderate COVID infection who are at high risk for severe disease, there are prescription treatments available. These include: 

  • Paxlovid (tablet for use in adults and certain children ages 12 and older)

  • Lagevrio (for use in adults)

  • Veklury (an infusion for people ages 28 days and older) 

If you have a more severe illness, you might need to stay in the hospital. Treatment for severe COVID mostly involves supporting your body while you try to fight the infection. Some examples of these treatments are:

  • Oxygen, if your oxygen levels are low

  • IV (intravenous) fluids, if you’re dehydrated

  • Intubation — a tube placed down your windpipe and into your lungs — which lets you connect to a mechanical ventilator (a life-support machine)

  • Medications, like anakinra, tocilizumab, and baricitinib 

Vaccine

The best way to protect yourself from COVID is to get vaccinated. Time and data have shown that the vaccine is both safe and effective at preventing serious illness. Vaccination can make you less likely to spread COVID to others if you get sick. And it may also prevent long COVID. 

The latest recommendations for the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine is that everyone ages 6 months and older should receive an updated Pfizer, Novavax, or Moderna vaccine. The timing and number of doses depends on your age and vaccination history. 

Common side effects from the vaccine include:

  • Arm soreness

  • Body aches

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

  • Nausea

  • Chills

  • Mild fever

These symptoms are typically mild and resolve on their own in 1 to 2 days.

The CDC recommends the vaccine for anyone 6 months of age and older, even if you’ve been previously infected with COVID. This includes pregnant and nursing mothers.

Stay up-to-date with recent updates on COVID vaccines.

Prevention

Even if you’re vaccinated, it’s still important to follow safety guidelines to keep you and your community safe:

  • Clean your hands frequently. 

  • Avoid touching your face (especially your eyes, nose, and mouth).

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Stay home and get tested if you’re sick. 

  • Improve ventilation indoors. 

  • Avoid crowded, indoor gatherings.

These measures are especially important for people who aren’t fully vaccinated or who have a weakened immune system.

What is long COVID?

In as many as 1 in 3 adults with a previous COVID infection, symptoms of COVID can linger and can cause long-term COVID symptoms. This is called “long COVID” or long-haul COVID. You can get long COVID even if you didn’t have a severe COVID illness — or if you had no symptoms at all.

It’s hard to predict who will be affected by long COVID. Certain factors can increase your risk of long COVID, like:

  • Being older

  • Having a BMI (body mass index) greater than 30

  • Pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea

  • Smoking

  • Having less than two COVID vaccinations/boosters

Long COVID symptoms

Long COVID can affect any organ system. More widely recognized symptoms of long COVID include:

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Chronic cough

  • Muscle twitching

  • Sexual dysfunction

  • Joint pain

Frequently asked questions

What is the incubation period for COVID?

Symptoms can start as early as 2 days after a person is infected with the virus. Or they can take as long as 14 days to show up. On average, symptoms start 2 to 3 days after exposure. 

Why is the coronavirus so contagious?

The virus that causes COVID is more contagious than other viruses for a few reasons:

  • The virus was new to humans, so people didn’t have any immunity against it. 

  • The virus continues to evolve, and certain mutations allow it to evade immunity and spread more easily

  • COVID spreads through airborne droplets, allowing it to spread easily. 

  • An infected person becomes contagious before their symptoms begin, and some people never develop symptoms. This increases the number of infected people who are out and about, potentially spreading the virus.

When should you seek care if you have COVID?

Most people with COVID will have mild symptoms and recover well at home. But some people will need to seek care for their symptoms. Contact a healthcare professional if you feel your symptoms are getting worse or are no longer mild. 

If you feel your symptoms are severe, go to an emergency room or call 911. Severe symptoms that need medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Chest pain

  • Confusion or excessive sleepiness

  • Loss of consciousness

What is the recovery time for COVID?

Your recovery time depends on the severity of your infection, your age, and your underlying health. Most people can expect to recover within a few days to weeks. In severe cases and in those with other medical issues, recovery can take several weeks to months. Some people, and not just those with severe disease, can develop long COVID symptoms well after the infection is gone.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About COVID-19.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine safety.

View All References (13)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). COVID-19 vaccination for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Recommended updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccines for people who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

David J. Spencer CDC Museum. (2023). CDC museum COVID-19 timeline. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ferretti, L., et al. (2023). Digital measurement of SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk from 7 million contacts. Nature.

Frediani, J. K., et al. (2024). The new normal: Delayed peak SARS-CoV-2 viral loads relative to symptom onset and implications for COVID-19 testing programs. Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Logue J. K., et al. (2021). Sequelae in adults at 6 months after COVID-19 infection. JAMA Network Open.

Scudellari, M. (2022). Omicron’s surprising anatomy explains why it is wildly contagious. Scientific American.

Tenforde, M. W., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 among hospitalized adults aged ≥65 years — United States, January–March 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

UN News. (2023). WHO chief declares end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency. United Nations.

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Timeline: WHO’s COVID-19 response.

World Health Organization. (2021). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How is it transmitted?

Wu, Y., et al. (2022). Incubation period of COVID-19 caused by unique SARS-CoV-2 strains: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Learn More About COVID-19 Now!

Stay informed and get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health.

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

Latest Articles