Can I get COVID-19 from my pet or other animals?

A: A very small number of pets around the world have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after having contact with people with COVID-19. Based on the information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.

Are pets vulnerable to COVID-19?

A few pets have tested positive for the new coronavirus. Not all of these animals had signs of illness, but some have had mild symptoms. The animals may have caught the virus from close contact with humans who were infected.

What should I do if my pet gets sick and it might be COVID-19?

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Most pets that have gotten sick from the virus that causes COVID-19 were infected after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Talk to your veterinarian about any health concerns you have about your pets.

If your pet gets sick after contact with a person with COVID-19, call your veterinarian and let them know the pet was around a person with COVID-19. If you are sick with COVID-19, do not take your pet to the veterinary clinic yourself. Some veterinarians may offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care. Routine testing of animals for COVID-19 is not recommended at this time.

What are some examples of mild illness of the coronavirus disease?

Mild Illness: Individuals who have any of the various signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell) but who do not have shortness of breath, dyspnea, or abnormal chest imaging.

Should pets be kept away from people infected with COVID-19?

• People with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

What animal species can get COVID-19?

We currently don’t fully understand how COVID-19 affects different animal species. We are aware of a very small number of pets, including dogs and cats, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19.

Can you recover at home if you have a mild case of COVID-19?

Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.

What can you take if you have mild symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have body aches, a sore throat or cough, a pain reliever can help lessen the discomfort these symptoms can bring. You may also consider taking a nasal decongestant for a stuffy nose and an expectorant for chest congestion.

How long does it take for COVID-19 symptoms to appear?

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 6 days after exposure to the virus. However, it sometimes takes longer — up to 14 days

How long does it take to recover from COVID-19?

Fortunately, people who have mild to moderate symptoms typically recover in a few days or weeks.

What medications can be taken for COVID-19?

In terms of specifics: acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help lower your fever, assuming you don’t have a health history that should prevent you from using them. It’s usually not necessary to lower a fever – an elevated temperature is meant to help your body fight off the virus.

Should you take cold medications if you have COVID-19 without symptoms?

If you have COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms, don’t take cold medications, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®). These medications may hide the symptoms of COVID-19.

How long can symptoms of COVID-19 last?

Acute COVID-19. Once symptoms appear, you have entered the acute stage. You may have fever, cough and other COVID-19 symptoms. Active illness can last one to two weeks if you have mild or moderate coronavirus disease, but severe cases can last months.

How long is someone with COVID-19 infectious?

Infectiousness peaks around one day before symptom onset and declines within a week of symptom onset, with an average period of infectiousness and risk of transmission between 2-3 days before and 8 days after symptom onset.

How long can post COVID-19 symptoms last?

COVID-19 recovery. Post-COVID-19 symptoms, such as lingering cough, on and off fever, weakness, and changes to your senses of smell or taste, can persist for weeks or even months after you recover from acute illness. Persistent symptoms are sometimes known as long COVID-19.

Is it normal that I feel sick weeks after having COVID-19?

Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Can COVID-19 symptoms come and go?

Yes. During the recovery process, people with COVID-19 might experience recurring symptoms alternating with periods of feeling better. Varying degrees of fever, fatigue and breathing problems can occur, on and off, for days or even weeks.

What are some of the persistent symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common persistent symptoms reported in the follow-up survey were fatigue and loss of taste or smell, both of which were reported among 24 patients (13.6%). Other symptoms included brain fog (2.3%).