Some less common symptoms of COVID-19 can be relatively non-specific; however the most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, and loss of taste and smell. [1][22] Among those who develop symptoms, approximately one in five may become more seriously ill and have difficulty in breathing. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Learn more about the symptoms, risks and ways to protect yourself. Covid -19 most often causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, resulting in symptoms such as a cold, flu, or pneumonia. However, it affects more than just the respiratory system. While some individuals may experience mild or no symptoms, others can become critically ill and even succumb to the disease. COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include: Fever Chills Cough Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle aches Headache Loss of sense of taste or smell Sore throat Stuffy or runny nose Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea This is not a complete list of possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new variants of the virus. Some people may ...