What Are the Mild Symptoms of COVID — and When Should You See a Doctor?

Most cases of COVID-19 infection are “mild.” But the symptoms of mild COVID might not feel mild. Yes, for some, the symptoms can be easily confused with a cold or the flu (influenza). But, for many, the illness is different from anything they’ve experienced before. 

So, how do you know when it’s safe to go the self-care route at home — and when it’s time to get help? 

Here’s what a mild infection with the virus that causes COVID actually looks and feels like, as well as steps you can take to recover.

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What does mild COVID feel like?

The possible symptoms of a COVID infection include: 

• Congestion or runny nose

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Hoarse voice

• Fever or chills

• New loss of smell or taste

• Muscle or body aches

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

But what does “mild” mean when you have COVID? If you have any of the symptoms listed above without shortness of breath or abnormal chest imaging (such as X-ray), you have a mild COVID infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Can you have COVID without a fever?

Yes, you can have COVID infection without a fever. In fact, you may have a COVID infection and not have symptoms at all. 

How common is mild COVID infection?

It’s hard to say how common “mild” COVID infection is because most people are testing at home these days. Plus, public health organizations are no longer reporting confirmed cases. But data suggests that at least 8 in 10 people with a COVID infection have a mild illness that doesn’t require hospitalization. 

Some people infected with COVID show no symptoms at all. These people are called “asymptomatic carriers.” This means they don’t have symptoms, but they can still spread the virus. The data on how many people are asymptomatic carriers varies widely from study to study. Some data suggests it’s as high as 60%. 

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Why do some people only get mild COVID symptoms while others get very ill?

Some people are at higher risk for getting severe COVID. This includes people who:

• Smoke

• Are 50 years old or older, and especially over 65 years old

• Aren’t vaccinated 

• Have medical conditions, such as asthma, cancer, or diabetes

• Have heart, liver, or lung disease

• Have certain mental health conditions or dementia 

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

• Aren’t physically active

• Have a weakened immune system

• Are pregnant, or have recently had a baby

Having more than one of these factors puts you at even higher risk of severe symptoms, if you get sick with COVID.

How to care for mild symptoms of COVID

If you think you have COVID infection, you’ll want to avoid spreading the virus to others while also taking care of yourself. These days, the CDC recommends handling a mild COVID infection similar to the way you might handle any other mild, contagious respiratory illness. That means staying away from others while you’re feeling sick. 

You can treat mild symptoms — like cough, body aches, and fever — with over-the-counter flu and cold medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are safe to take for COVID infection and can help relieve your symptoms. As with any mild respiratory illness, be sure to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious foods, and stay hydrated.

Some treatments for COVID are available for certain people. If you’re at risk for severe COVID, be sure to ask your primary care provider about your options.

How long do I need to stay home if I have mild COVID?

Staying home when you have mild COVID allows you to rest and take care of yourself. It also keeps the germ from spreading. There’s no exact number of days that you need to isolate if you have mild COVID. Instead, stay home while you’re sick. 

According to the CDC, you can return to your normal activities when you’ve had 24 hours of both feeling better and having no fever, without using fever-reducing medication.

However, it’s important to know that you might stay contagious with COVID for a few days after you return to your activities. During this time, you can lessen the chance of spreading the virus to others by distancing, wearing a mask, and paying careful attention to hygiene. 

Can mild symptoms of COVID become severe?

Yes, mild symptoms can turn into severe symptoms. So, it’s important to track the timeline of your illness. Many people don’t get symptoms right away when they catch COVID. Sometimes symptoms take up to 14 days to show up. 

Typical COVID stages and progression

Some people with COVID never have symptoms. Others continue to feel sick after 3 weeks. So, it’s hard to give an exact timeline for how your COVID infection will progress. But COVID stages and symptoms tend to follow some general patterns.

When COVID symptoms occur, they usually show up between days 2 to 5. Nasal congestion, sore throat, and cough often show up first. 

Symptoms usually peak about 3 to 5 days after you begin to feel sick. You’re more likely to have fever, muscle aches, and headache during these days.

What is long COVID?

Most people with COVID infection feel better within a few weeks. But some people develop long COVID. This is a broad term that describes a wide range of health issues that start or continue 4 weeks after getting infected with the virus that causes COVID. Long COVID can occur regardless of the severity of your initial infection.

There are no specific treatments for long COVID at the moment. But there’s ongoing research to better help people with this condition. 

How do you know when to see a doctor or go to the ER?

COVID illness can worsen quickly. So, it’s important to understand your risk and to know when to get help. 

Get medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• New or worsening breathlessness that doesn't settle 

• Inability to walk around your home, shower, or dress without getting out of breath

• Bluish lips or tongue 

• New confusion or drowsiness 

These symptoms are a sign of low blood oxygen. This is the most worrying feature of COVID infection because your body needs oxygen to survive.

The virus that causes COVID can cause a double lung infection (bilateral pneumonia). When the lungs are full of infection, they can’t oxygenate blood. The lungs can’t get enough fresh air (oxygen) in, and they can’t get enough waste air (carbon dioxide) out. Before oxygen levels drop, a person with severe COVID pneumonia will start to breathe faster and deeper. 

Don’t wait until your blood oxygen levels drop before getting help. A dropping blood oxygen level is a sign the pneumonia is getting worse and that your lungs are in trouble. 

Also, get urgent medical attention if you have other symptoms that would usually worry you, such as: 

• Chest pains

• Severe headaches

• Seizures

• Weakness in your face, arms, or legs 

This was true before the COVID pandemic, and it’s still true now. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Kerry R. McGee, MD, FAAP

Kerry McGee, MD, FAAP, has over a decade of experience caring for babies, children, and teenagers as a primary care pediatrician. She has a special interest in adolescent health, particularly in adolescent mental health.

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