Symptoms of COVID-19: Symptoms of COVID-19 and long COVID
Specialist in the article
Revised 10/11/2024
COVID-19 in brief:
- The coronavirus disease is a respiratory tract infection caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). The symptoms are often mild and usually last from a few days to a week.
- The disease almost always resolves with symptomatic treatment comprising of rest, hydration and fever-reducing medicines.
- The coronavirus disease can also cause more serious symptoms that require hospital treatment. Seek medical care if you have severe shortness of breath, a high fever that does not go down or if your general condition worsens, especially if you belong to a high-risk group.
- Post-COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID, is a secondary disease caused by a coronavirus infection with symptoms that have lasted for at least two months. Long COVID also usually improves over time but may require long-term treatment and rehabilitation in healthcare.
Clinical course of the coronavirus disease
The symptoms of the coronavirus disease can range from mild to severe. The symptoms appear within 1–14 days of exposure to the virus. The symptoms typically last from a few days to a week, but they can last longer in some cases. During the symptomatic period of the viral infection, it is important to avoid close contact to prevent the spread of the disease.
Typical symptoms of the coronavirus disease:
- Fever
- Cough
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of taste or smell
Diagnosis
COVID-19 can be diagnosed with at-home tests, but they are usually not necessary because the disease is treated like any other viral upper respiratory tract infection.
In healthcare, the exact pathogen may need to be determined, in which case a PCR test is usually performed.
Treatment of the coronavirus disease
The coronavirus disease is treated symptomatically. The symptoms usually improve on their own within 3–5 days. The symptoms can be treated at home with rest, sufficient fluid intake and fever-reducing medicines.
In more severe cases, especially in high-risk groups, the coronavirus disease may sometimes require hospital treatment.
Post-COVID-19 condition, or long COVID, may require long-term monitoring, treatment and rehabilitation in healthcare.
Risk groups for the coronavirus disease
The coronavirus disease can be particularly dangerous for certain high-risk groups. These groups include:
- People aged over 70
- People with severe heart disease
- People with poorly controlled lung disease
- People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- People who are morbidly obese (body mass index greater than 40)
- People with chronic liver or kidney failure
- People who have an immune weakening disease, such as cancer, for which they are receiving active chemotherapy treatment
- People who take medication that severely weakens immunity, such as high-dose cortisone therapy
Learn more:
Detailed list of all high-risk groupsExternal link (THL.fi)
Instructions for preventing COVID-19
As with other respiratory tract infections, it is important to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The following instructions will help you protect yourself from contracting and transmitting COVID-19:
- Avoid close contact: Avoid unnecessary human contact until the fever has gone down and the symptoms have clearly started to improve. If you cannot avoid human contact, or if you have to visit a healthcare clinic while still symptomatic, we recommend wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of the virus through the air. If people living in the same household develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection, they should also avoid unnecessary contact with other people until their symptoms improve.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with warm water and liquid soap for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands thoroughly.
- Use hand sanitizer: Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if washing your hands with water and liquid soap is not possible. Use enough hand sanitizer to wet both hands completely.
- Coughing and sneezing: When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow, not your hand. Immediately dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
When should you see a physician for COVID-19?
If you are concerned about the symptoms of the coronavirus disease, you can contact a physician without booking an appointment via Mehiläinen Digital Clinic. An in-person appointment may be necessary if the symptoms worsen or you are having difficulty breathing.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
- You have shortness of breath
- Your general condition has worsened
- You have a high fever that does not respond to medication
- Your symptoms are persistent or worsen rapidly
- You are worried about your well-being or ability to cope at home with the symptoms.
As a general rule, the corona test is part of occupational health (to be checked by the employer) or medical and travel insurance.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus test referrals from Digital Clinic Referrals are available from Mehiläinen’s Digital Clinic. | 49,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Digital Mehiläinen COVID-19 certificate Digital COVID-19 certificates sent via OmaMehiläinen are free of charge. | Free No Kela reimbursement |
| Printed COVID-19 certificate You can pick up the certificate at any medical clinic in person. Please take your personal identification document with you when picking up the certificate. Digital certificates are free of charge. | 23,90 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Fit to fly certificates Fit to fly certificates are certificates issued by a doctor that provide information about the COVID-19 test results. | 124,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19
According to studies, COVID-19 is most contagious 1–2 days before the onset of symptoms and during the first few days after the onset of symptoms. Contagiousness decreases rapidly as the disease progresses. When the fever has settled and the symptoms have subsided, the person is usually no longer infectious.
The symptoms of COVID-19 usually last from a few days to a week. However, the symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition, or long COVID, can last for several months.
A PCR test can give a positive result several weeks after the symptoms have disappeared, even if the person is no longer infectious. After a positive test result, it is no longer beneficial to repeat the test, and it is not possible to draw conclusions about the person’s infectiousness.
You can get vaccinated approximately three months after a COVID-19 infection.
From the beginning of 2023, wellbeing services counties have been responsible for organising vaccinations in their area. The vaccinations can be organised in cooperation with occupational health care and private service providers. For more detailed information about vaccinations, please check the website of your wellbeing services county.
COVID-19 vaccinations will start at Mehiläinen in early October 2024 for private and occupational health customers. Appointments can be booked soon.
Read more about the start of COVID-19 vaccinations at Mehiläinen.
You can take a COVID-19 test at the onset of symptoms, but a negative COVID-19 test does not rule out the possibility of the coronavirus disease, and testing is usually not necessary for mild symptoms. Regardless, symptomatic treatment and social distancing is recommended for symptoms of respiratory tract infection.