Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Department Resources

IF YOU FEEL SICK

On this page:

 

SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list is not all inclusive. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. 


 

If you develop symptoms that require emergency care, call 9-1-1 and follow the emergency team instructions for care before they arrive. These symptoms may include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Note: Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.


Post-COVID conditions

Some people can experience long-term effects from a COVID-19 infection, which is known as “post-COVID conditions” or “long COVID.” Post-COVID conditions include a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems. Anyone who was infected can experience post-COVID conditions. People who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and become infected might be at higher risk of developing post-COVID conditions compared to people who are vaccinated.

There is no test to diagnose post-COVID conditions, and people may have symptoms that come from other health problems. This can make it difficult for healthcare providers to recognize post-COVID conditions. Healthcare providers consider a diagnosis of post-COVID conditions based on a health examination and the person’s health history, including whether they had a diagnosis of COVID-19 either by a positive test or by symptoms or exposure.

People with post-COVID conditions can have a wide range of symptoms that can last more than four weeks or even months after infection. Sometimes the symptoms can even go away or come back again.

General symptoms

  • Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
  • Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)
  • Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Chest pain
  • Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

Digestive symptoms

  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain

Neurological symptoms

  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
  • Headache
  • Sleep problems
  • Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
  • Pins-and-needles feelings
  • Change in smell or taste
  • Depression or anxiety

Other symptoms

  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Rash
  • Changes in menstrual cycles

Post-COVID conditions may not affect everyone the same way. People with post-COVID conditions may experience health problems from different types and combinations of symptoms happening over different lengths of time. Most patients’ symptoms slowly improve with time. However, for some people, post-COVID conditions can last weeks, months, or longer after COVID-19 illness and can sometimes result in disability.

The best way to prevent these long-term complications is to prevent COVID-19. Get vaccinated today even if you already had COVID-19. 

Read more about this on the CDC website Post-COVID conditions.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. MIS-C can be serious, even deadly, but most children who were diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care.

Contact your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if your child is showing symptoms of MIS-C which includes ongoing fever PLUS more than one of the following:

  • Stomach pain
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness (signs of low blood pressure)
  • Skin rash
  • Vomiting

Be aware that not all children will have all the same symptoms.

Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or other concerning signs:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call a medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Read more about this on the CDC website Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. 

 

Additional Resources

COVID-19 Testing

Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms — even if you have had the COVID-19 vaccine — or if you spent time with someone who has symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 is available in many locations across Fairfax Health District. 

Learn More & Find Locations

What do I need to do if I have COVID-19 or were exposed?

Find out how long you you need to stay home and away from others if you have COVID-19 and the steps you need to take if you were exposed.

See the Guidance
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