Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Page last updated 11/24/2025.
In alignment with leading medical, health, and patient advocacy groups, the County of San Diego affirms that vaccines are not linked to autism. We remain committed to ensuring residents continue to have access to safe and effective vaccines that are based on credible, transparent, and science-based evidence.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus discovered in 2019.
COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.
See below, or click the following links, to learn more about:
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older should have access to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. CDPH also emphasizes the importance of additional protection for groups at higher risk of severe illness including:
- Infants and toddlers,
- Pregnant people, and/or
- Others with risks for serious disease.
You can also take simple everyday steps to protect yourself and others—like covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands regularly, improving indoor air quality, and staying home and away from others if you're feeling sick.
COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person through tiny droplets in the air.
- When someone who is sick with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or talks, the droplets go into the air. Other people can breathe them in or get them in their eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Sometimes, the droplets land on things. If someone touches those things and then touches their face, they might get sick too.
People with COVID-19 have many different symptoms, from mild to
serious. Symptoms usually show up 2-14 days after being exposed to
the virus.
- 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 does not include every possible symptom. Symptoms can change with new COVID-19 variants and may be different depending on whether you’re vaccinated.
If you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have developed symptoms, test immediately. Testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next.
Getting a COVID-19 Test
- Buy a self-test (at-home test).
- Buy at-home tests online at pharmacies or in stores. If you have health insurance, it may cover the cost of the test.
- Most at-home tests can be safely used past the date on the box. Check the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website to see if your COVID-19 test’s expiration date has been extended.
- Go to a testing site in your community.
- To learn more, visit the CDPH Medical Countermeasures Strategy Unit COVID-19 Response website.
Treating COVID-19
Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter medicines to help you feel better.
There are also treatments available that may help reduce how sick you become if you get COVID‑19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized, or approved, several antiviral medications. These medications treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick.
People who are more likely to get very sick include:
- Older adults, 50+ especially those 65+ years of age.
- People who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccinations.
- People with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.
Being vaccinated makes it much less likely that you’ll get very sick. But studies have shown that treatment can still help, even if you’re vaccinated.
A healthcare provider will help decide which treatment, if any, is right for you.
- A healthcare provider or pharmacist must prescribe medications.
- You must start treatment within 5-7 days after you first develop symptoms.
- Treatment options include Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavir (Paxlovid), Remdesivir (Veklury), and Molnupiravir (Lagevrio).
Don't delay! Treatment works best when started as early as possible – within 5-7 days after you first develop symptoms.
California Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19 Website