COVID symptoms 2024: Have COVID symptoms, but testing negative? You may want to check your tests. Have questions about COVID symptoms, testing or variants.
COVID symptoms 2024
With the rise of respiratory illnesses, people might find themselves sick in the new year, possibly showing COVID-19 symptoms.
Negative test results could be due to various reasons. Some COVID tests shipped in 2023 had extended expiration dates, but beyond that, tests lose effectiveness.
Expired tests might provide inaccurate results due to degraded components. It’s crucial to check the expiration dates, and the FDA’s website lists COVID tests with extended expiration dates.
A negative COVID test doesn’t necessarily mean freedom from infection, as other respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV share similar symptoms.
Dr. Andrew Pekosz advises staying home if feeling sick, emphasizing that whether it’s COVID, flu, or RSV, the approach to care remains the same.
The CDC notes that even with a negative result, a small amount of the virus could be present, and consulting a healthcare provider for further testing or advice is recommended.
COVID symptoms 2024
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever or Chills: A temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C) is often reported.
- Cough: Persistent coughing that may be new or worsening.
- Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing: Feeling breathless or experiencing a rapid or shallow breath.
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or lack of energy.
- Muscle or Body Aches: Generalized body pain or discomfort.
- Headache: Persistent headaches, which can vary in intensity.
- New Loss of Taste or Smell: An abrupt loss of the sense of taste or smell.
- Sore Throat: Pain or irritation in the throat.
- Congestion or Runny Nose: Nasal congestion or a runny nose, similar to the common cold.
- Nausea or Vomiting: Feeling nauseous or vomiting.
- Diarrhea: Frequent bowel movements with loose or watery stools.