COVID-19 Symptoms, Testing & Treatments
Updated 9/28/22
Who is at risk for a severe infection from COVID-19?
In addition to age being a factor (people 65 and over are at greatest risk), people at any age may be at greater risk for a severe infection if they have certain underlying medical conditions. The risk of severe COVID-19 increases as the number of underlying medical conditions increase. Underlying conditions include (in alphabetical order):
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Dementia or other neurological conditions
- Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
- Disabilities
- Heart conditions (heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
- HIV infection
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
- Liver disease
- Mental health conditions
- Overweight (body mass index [BMI] of 25 or higher) or Obesity ([BMI] of 30 or higher); the higher the BMI, the risk increases.
- Physical inactivity
- Pregnancy and recently pregnant
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Smoking, current or former
- Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
- Substance use disorders
- Tuberculosis
Other conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Visit the CDC website for more information about underlying medical conditions.
What are COVID-19 symptoms?
Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated you may still contract COVID-19. Learn more on our Vaccines page. Symptoms usually appear gradually 2 to 14 days after exposure. Some people have had only mild symptoms while others have become severely ill. The CDC's list of symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of smell and taste, and congestion or runny nose. Some patients may have digestive issues such as nausea or diarrhea. Severe symptoms include trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion; inability to wake or stay awake; and pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. This list is not all possible symptoms. If you have these or other symptoms that are severe or concern you, you should get medical attention immediately.
Visit the CDC website for additional information about COVID-19 symptoms.
What should I do if I think I'm sick with COVID-19?
Regardless of vaccination status, if you are sick or exposed to COVID-19, the CDC has updated their recommendations, as follows. Visit the CDC website for more information.
- Unvaccinated and vaccinated people have the same guidance.
- If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, isolation is recommended whether you have symptoms or not. If you have no symptoms end isolation after 5 days.
- If you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 before testing positive, isolation is also recommended.
- When exposed or sick, use testing to determine if positive. If you are positive, see guidelines below.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
If testing positive for COVID-19, as of August 11, 2022, the following CDC guidelines remain in effect:
- Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. The most infectious period is likely the first 5 days. If fever-free for 24 hours without use of medication and do not have symptoms or symptoms are improving, you can end isolation.
- Wear a high-quality mask around others at home and in public (if need to be around other people).
- Do not go places where you can’t wear a mask.
- Do not travel.
- Improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Don’t share personal household items (e.g. cups, towels)
- Monitor symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign, seek medical attention immediately. Visit the CDC website for additional information about COVID-19 symptoms and emergency warning signs.
- Follow other local and state regulations.
If you have mild symptoms, there may be no need to see a doctor. If you are feeling sick or are concerned, and/or your symptoms worsen, contact your primary care doctor before going in. Your doctor’s office will decide the next steps for your care. If you are elderly, have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, you may be at higher risk of serious illness and should contact your doctor early if you are sick. Call 911 if you are having a medical emergency.
This information was obtained from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). The LACDPH has also provided downloadable PDFs with information about staying home and home isolation.
If you are coming to Valley Presbyterian Hospital's Emergency Department or another entrance, and you have a fever, cough or problems breathing, please call ahead beforehand or let our care team know immediately upon arrival so that we can safely provide appropriate care. Please be advised that Valley Presbyterian Hospital has revised its visitor policy. More information is on our COVID-19 portal page.
Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
The City of Los Angeles is providing free COVID-19 testing to all Los Angeles County residents, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms. Priority is given to people with symptoms. For more information visit the City of Los Angeles COVID-19 Testing page.
Are there treatment options available?
Most people with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without needing special treatment. Treatments are available depending on the severity of the case, medical condition and medical history. Summaries for some of these are below. Visit the CDC website for a list of these and other treatments available.
Antiviral Treatments
In 2021 the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid, an oral antiviral drug made by Pfizer for the treatment of certain adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 lbs) who have tested positive for COVID-19, are not in the hospital but have mild to moderate symptoms for 5 days or less, and are at high risk for getting more serious symptoms. It is available by prescription only.
Click here for the Paxlovid Fact Sheet (revised September 26, 2022)
In 2021 the FDA also issued an EUA for Lagevrio (Molnupiravir), an oral antiviral drug made by Merck for the treatment of certain adults, at least 18 years of age, who have tested positive for COVID-19, are not in the hospital but have mild to moderate symptoms for 5 days or less, and are at high risk for getting more serious symptoms. It is available by prescription only.
Click here for the Molnupiravir Fact Sheet (revised June 1, 2022)
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
The FDA has also issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for the outpatient monoclonal antibody treatment for certain patients, depending on age, health history and length of symptoms. The treatment may help people at high risk of more serious symptoms and have a positive COVID-19 test with symptoms for 7 days or less, or have been in close contact with someone who has recently tested positive.
Visit the NIH website for more information about monoclonal antibody treatments.Visit the NIH website for a table comparison on monoclonal antibody treatments.
Clinical Trial of Repurposed Drugs
In addition, the NIH supports testing the effectiveness of existing drugs – repurposing drugs approved for other conditions - as potential at-home treatments to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms associated with mild to moderate COVID-19. A large ACTIV-6 clinical trial is underway to study Ivermectin, Fluvoxamine and Fluticasone, with an estimated completion date of March 2023.
Visit the NIH website for more information about repurposed drugs.
Click here for more information about the ACTIV-6 clinical trial.
Where can I get up-to-date information?
The information on this page has been obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIAID), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. You may check back here as we periodically update this information.
Our Resources page also has links to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, City of Los Angeles, and World Health Organization for up-to-date information locally, nationally and worldwide.
The information on this page is provided for general, informational purposes and not personalized medical advice. Please contact your health care provider for medical advice specific to your situation. If you are having a medical emergency please call 911.