The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its list of possible symptoms of the coronavirus, a step that reflects how broad and unpredictable the virus is.

The change was made to reflect the observations of doctors on the frontlines treating thousands of patients in the pandemic. Its website now cites the following symptoms as possible indicators of Covid-19, the infection caused by the coronavirus:

• chills
• repeated shaking with chills
• muscle pain
• headache
• sore throat
• and, the new loss of taste or smell.

Previously it had listed just three symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of intensity of these symptoms from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests.

• A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
• An antibody test tells you if you have had a previous infection.

An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. The CDC does not yet know if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.

To learn if you have a current infection, viral tests are used. But not everyone needs this test. According to the agency, most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 and wants to get tested should call their healthcare provider first. You can also visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing. Although supplies of tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested.

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild 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 the COVID-19 illness.

The agency urges individuals to seek immediate medical attention If they have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before medical help arrives.

The CDC stresses that this list of symptoms is not all-inclusive and that people should consult their medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to them.

For general information on COVID-19 visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/.

For the state-level information on COVID-19 https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus.

Danbury Health Department: https://www.danbury-ct.gov/government/departments/health-and-human-services/.