The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection range from mild respiratory symptoms to severe illnesses such as pneumonia.

Symptoms may start as mild, and some people may progress to more severe symptoms.

Severity of symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on prior vaccination status and past COVID-19 infection.

Infection is mild in the majority of persons and up to one in three infected persons are asymptomatic.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Nasal congestion, runny nose

• Headache

• Loss of taste or smell

• Fatigue

• Muscle aches

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhoea

In severe cases, COVID-19 can manifest as pneumonia with shortness of breath and chest pain.  Severe cases should seek immediate medical attention.

Persons with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk when they have COVID-19 and are advised to seek medical care early if they are worried about their condition. These include but are not limited to those taking immunosuppressive medication; those with chronic heart, lung, liver or rheumatological problems; those with HIV, diabetes, cancer or dementia.