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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Stay up-to-date on the spread of COVID-19 with information on symptoms, prevention, vaccine updates, and how you can help slow the spread.

Common Questions About COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccines

Today, most Americans ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who are pregnant, have allergies, or are immunocompromised.
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COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. The virus may cause respiratory symptoms such as:

person coughing cartoon
Coughing
person with fever cartoon
High Fever
person with breathing problems cartoon
Breathing problems
person with shortness of breath cartoon
Shortness of breath
person with chills graphic
Chills
muscle pain symptom graphic
Muscle Pain
sore throat symptom graphic
Sore Throat
loss of taste and smell symptom graphic
New loss of taste or smell

Flu, Cold & COVID-19: What’s The Difference?

All three of these illnesses caused by respiratory viruses share similar symptoms such as stuffy nose, sore throat, and fatigue. It’s not uncommon to mistake one for the others. But getting a COVID-19 test as a precaution is always a safe first step to take.

Symptoms
Fever
Headache
General Aches and Pains
Fatique, Weakness
Extreme Exhaustion
vomiting or diarrhea
Sneezing or Runny Nose
Sore Throat
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Cold
Rare
Rare
Slight
Mild
Never
Common
Usual
Common
Mild to moderate
Rare
Flu
High
(100-102 F)can last 3-4 days
Intense
Usual(often severe)
IntenseCan last up to 2-3 weeks
Usual(starts early)
Sometimes
Sometimes
Common
Commoncan become severe
Rare
COVID-19
Common
Sometimes
Common
Common
Sometimes
Sometimes
Common
Common
Common
In more serious infections

COVID-19 Related Articles

Understanding COVID-19 Symptoms in 2024

With years of science, research, and understanding since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know more about the virus than in 2020. Learn what COVID symptoms feel like now.

Children and the Lingering Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Even as we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing the effects it has had on children. Odessa D. Despot, PsyD, shares her insights.

Do You Need the New Version of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The CDC and FDA signed off on an updated COVID-19 vaccine heading into the 2023-2024 winter season. We explain why the vaccine needed to be updated and who should get one.

Rochester Regional Update to COVID-19 Vaccine Policy for Team Members

Effective July 7, RRH will no longer require the COVID-19 vaccine for employment.

COVID-19 in the Rochester Region

Updates on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and vaccination rates in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions, and New York State.

What Do I Do With an Expired COVID-19 Test?

At-home COVID-19 test kits are used daily by thousands of people. So how can a person tell when their kit expires – and what to do with it if it is expired?

What Herd Immunity for COVID-19 Means In 2023

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, international health leaders were focused on achieving ‘herd immunity’ to the virus. Emil Lesho, DO, explains how our understanding of that term has shifted over the last three years.

Review Finds Pregnant Women With COVID-19 Face Health Risks

A meta-analysis of 12 studies around the world found pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are significantly more likely to have poor health outcomes – including a higher risk of death.

Why Are Kids Getting So Sick This Season?

A number of illnesses appear to be spreading in pediatric patients. Our experts share what they know about diagnosing and treating them.

COVID-19 Booster Shots This Fall: What to Know

Updated COVID-19 booster doses will be widely available to the public following CDC approval.

A New COVID-19 Vaccine: How Novavax Works

There are now four COVID-19 vaccines available for the public to choose from. The CDC recently approved Novavax as an option for adults in the U.S.

COVID-19 Rebound Cases: What to Know

There are indications that some individuals who are infected with COVID-19 and take a specific antiviral drug may begin testing positive again after initially recovering. Our experts explain what happens.

View All Recent News Articles

Additional Resources

  • COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know

    Get the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines, including how they created, who should get them, safety, side effects, distribution updates and more.

    View Additional Information
  • Visitor & Masking Guidelines

    Rochester Regional Health has implemented new visitor guidelines and masking requirements, following state and local Department of Health recommendations.

    View Guidelines and Restrictions