In the midst of a pandemic, people may be concerned about feeling unwell and worry about the cause of their symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 typically appear 2–14 days after exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus.
In this article, we discuss how long it takes for symptoms of COVID-19 to appear, what those symptoms are, how to treat them, and when to see a doctor.
Transmission
A person can develop COVID-19 after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The virus spreads primarilyTrusted Source through saliva droplets or discharge from the nose when a person who has contracted it sneezes or coughs.
Regular and thorough hand washing is effective in helping prevent the spread of illness, and the widespread use of cloth face coverings mayTrusted Source also help.