What are the symptoms of COVID-19 and what actions to take?

Like all seasonal viruses, COVID-19 starts circulating more in the fall. Santé Publique France confirms this in its bulletin published on september 25, 2024 : "One increased circulation of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be getting under way.”

Santé Publique France recalls that the adoption of barrier gestures remains an effective means to prevent respiratory infection and its complications and to limit the risk of transmission to the community and particularly to vulnerable persons: wearing a mask in case of symptoms and regular hand washing are recommended.

What are common symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms may vary from person to person but the most common are

• fever or chills;
• dry cough;
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
• muscle or body aches;
• headache;
• fatigue;
• loss of taste or smell;
• sore throat;
• congestion or runny nose;
• nausea or vomiting;
• diarrhea.

The first symptoms appear after incubation for about 5 days.

Some people may be asymptomatic (without symptoms).

What are the right things to do?

To protect yourself and others, it is recommended that you adopt preventive measures simple:

• wash hands regularly or use a water-alcohol solution;
• coughing or sneezing into his elbow or a disposable tissue;
• blow your nose in a disposable tissue and then throw it away;
• avoid touching the face;
• maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others;
• wave without shaking hands and stop kissing;
• Wearing a mask (surgical mask or FFP2 mask)
• keep contacts with others to a minimum;
• ventilate each room as often as possible.

General health recommendations in the fight against winter respiratory diseases and COVID-19 are detailed on This document from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (PDF).