COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

The most common symptoms of the Omicron variant are nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, and sneezing.

Some people experience other symptoms like fever, aches, fatigue, nausea, and an upset stomach.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that variants of the COVID-19 virus will continue to emerge. For the most updated information on variants, visit their website.

COVID-19, RSV, and influenza are each caused by a respiratory virus and have similar symptoms. Testing is the best way to determine which virus, or viruses, you have contracted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking a test as soon as you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

If you do not have symptoms but know that you were exposed to the virus, you should wait five days after exposure to take a test.

There are several differences between PCR and rapid antigen tests.

Check out this article for more information on COVID-19 tests.

There are low and no-cost COVID-19 testing sites in every state. You can access testing at pharmacies, health centers, and designated testing locations.

Free tests can be ordered from USPS. Free test kits are also available at health clinics and Medicare-certified rural clinics.

You can purchase at-home COVID-19 test kits from retail stores, pharmacies, and online.

You should use a reliable test kit. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has published a list of authorized COVID-19 test kits that meet strict standards for accuracy. The list includes additional information and details to help you determine which test is best for you.

At-home COVID-19 tests have an accuracy rate of approximately 80%.

The accuracy of at-home test kits can be affected by several factors, like symptoms, how precisely you followed the test instructions, and the expiry date.

Allergies do not cause a positive COVID-19 test result. To get a positive test result, there must be COVID-19 viral genetic material or antigens in your system.

No, other respiratory viruses cannot cause you to test positive for COVID-19. You get a positive test result when viral genetic material or antigens from COVID-19 are detected.

You can test positive for more than one virus at a time.

Yes, you might continue to test positive for COVID-19 for up to three months after infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people can safely manage their COVID-19 symptoms at home using over-the-counter medications. For more details regarding COVID-19 treatment, visit our COVID-19 Treatment page.

There are currently three antiviral medications approved in the United States, and they are Veklury, Paxlovid, and Lagevrio. These medications help reduce the severity and duration of a COVID-19 infection.

Visit the FDA website to learn more about antiviral medications and other treatment options.

Approved medications to treat COVID-19 are available from your family doctor, pharmacies, and health clinics.

Use the online Treatment Locator tool to help you access medication close to you.

Doctors recommend treating gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19, like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, with hydration, bland foods, and rest.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for antiviral medication to help decrease the severity and duration of your illness.

For more information on how and when to obtain treatment for COVID-19, visit our Treatment webpage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you seek immediate medical treatment if you have any of the following symptoms:

United States residents aged six months and up can get free COVID-19 vaccinations in their community at health clinics, pharmacies, and medical offices.

A link to the federal Vaccine Finder tool can be found in our Vaccine Information page.

Each approved vaccine in the United States offers protection against COVID-19. The vaccines have met strict standards for efficacy and safety. An overview of each vaccine can be found on the FDA website here.

You are considered fully vaccinated after you have received all the recommended doses and boosters of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Recommendations for booster shots may change over time, and you can get the latest information directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

COVID-19 vaccines are considered safe and are approved by the FDA.

Vaccines undergo rigorous testing before they are approved. After vaccines are made available to the public, they continue to be closely monitored for adverse reactions, side effects, and efficacy.

Click here to learn more about vaccine safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots do not cause a positive result when you take a test to confirm a current infection. If you take an antibody test, you may test positive.

Each vaccine is comprised of different ingredients, all of which have been reviewed for safety. The vaccines approved for use in the United States do NOT include any live virus.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the ingredient details of each approved vaccine.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to avoid getting COVID-19.

Additional strategies to prevent contracting COVID-19 include:

Check out this article for more information on preventing COVID-19 infections.

Wearing a mask can protect you from getting COVID-19. A well-fitted high-quality mask, like an N95 or KN95, helps filter out particles as you breathe. This makes it harder for the virus to enter your body through your nose or mouth.

For more information, read the Mayo Clinic’s comprehensive article on masks.

In the United States, you can get free N95 masks from pharmacies, health clinics, and community organizations. Masks are also available for purchase from local and online retailers. For more information on how to get masks from a location near you, visit our State Resources and Federal Resources webpages.

COVID-19 is a virus that spreads through the respiratory droplets of an infected person. If you come into contact with those droplets, you may become infected with the virus. The virus enters your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes.

The World Health Organization cautions that you may be exposed to the virus through close contact with an infected person, being in an unventilated indoor environment with an infected person, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

COVID-19 is a virus that contains genetic information. Viruses are contagious and can spread. Bacterial illnesses are caused by single-celled organisms that enter your body and multiply. Common bacterial illnesses include food poisoning, strep throat, and other infections.

Click here to learn more about the differences between viruses and bacteria.

The COVID-19 virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 72 hours. It can survive on softer surfaces, like cardboard or fabrics, for up to 24 hours. The virus can be killed by disinfecting surfaces.

This article from MPH Online explains how the virus is affected by different surfaces.

Aerosols, also called respiratory droplets, containing the COVID-19 virus can stay in the air for  up to three hours. Good ventilation and airflow can help decrease the concentration of the virus.

People are most contagious during the first five days of infection, even when asymptomatic.

Some COVID-19 variants are more contagious than others. Yale Medicine reports that, as of early 2023, the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 is the most infectious to date.

Medical News Today estimates that COVID-19 antibodies obtained from infection or vaccination continue to provide protection for a period of a few months to over a year. Even with COVID-19 antibodies, people will have reduced immunity to new variants.

Yes, you can get COVID-19 more than once. New variants are the biggest risk factor for repeat infections.

Click here to learn more about reinfection.

The World Health Organization has an online dashboard with global statistics that are updated regularly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tracks and publishes national COVID-19 levels via their COVID Data Tracker.

COVID-19 cases can vary significantly across the United States. You can find the levels of COVID-19 in your area using the COVID-19 Integrated County View tool.