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When COVID-19 first started to spread in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had a simple list of novel coronavirus symptoms to keep on your radar: fever, cough and shortness of breath. But as cases grew into the millions, experts witnessed a broader range of symptoms in patients — some which are considered “mild,” others which point to a more severe case of the respiratory illness that has claimed more than 200,000 American lives.It’s important to note that “most people infected with the COVID-19 virus have mild disease and recover,” per a report of a joint World Health Organization-China mission.In general, people with mild symptoms are able to manage them at home, explains Dr. Richard Watkins, infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Those with a severe case of COVID-19 typically end up in the intensive care unit and may have to be put on a ventilator to help them breathe, he says, adding that “most people don’t require hospitalization.”On top of that, certain people infected with COVID-19 can have no symptoms at all. “We are likely missing many cases here in the U.S.,” Dr. Watkins says.So, which COVID-19 symptoms should you pay closer attention to — and what should you do if you think you may be infected? Here’s what doctors want you to know:Which COVID-19 symptoms are considered mild? The symptoms below most often signal mild disease — but not without controversy. Per a recent survey from the CDC, many young people who have a “milder” case of COVID-19 still don’t feel well weeks after recovering. In fact, 35% of the people surveyed reported that they were not back to their usual state of health up to three weeks after receiving a negative test for the virus. For people aged 18 to 34 with no pre-existing health issues, 1 in 5 still reported feeling sick weeks later. While the following symptoms can often be treated at home, they can still be tough to fight through and could linger longer than your average cold or flu. 1. Fever or chillsIn general, the medical community recognizes 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit as a fever, and this is common with infections, says Dr. Susan Besser, a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “A fever is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness,” she says. Chills are simply a byproduct of a fever. Typically, a fever develops because the body is working hard to try to kill the virus or bacteria that caused it, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. When you have a higher-than-normal temperature, it’s harder for these pathogens to survive. 2. CoughA cough is one of the hallmark symptoms of COVID-19, Dr. Watkins says. The novel coronavirus typically invades the lungs, where it can irritate the respiratory tract and cause what’s known as a “dry cough.” This means no phlegm or mucus comes up. When a mild case becomes more severe, a cough can progress to pneumonia.3. Lost sense of smell or taste According to a joint statement from the British Rhinological Society and British Association of Otorhinolaryngology, two out of every three people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Germany had a lost sense of smell, and 30% of patients in South Korea who tested positive experienced the same thing.“Viruses are a common cause of changes to the sense of smell or taste that can occur with an upper respiratory infection,” says Dr Rachel Kaye, assistant professor of laryngology-voice, airway and swallowing disorders at Rutgers University. “Viral infection can result in both inflammation and swelling of the nasal cavity lining, leading to nasal congestion, which in turn causes a change in smell. Furthermore, there is also some evidence that viral infection can lead to neurologic damage in the smell receptors.”A lost sense of smell or taste has become so common in COVID-19 patients that it is now seen as one of the few distinguishing symptoms of the illness, especially when a doctor is trying to differentiate a novel coronavirus infection versus the flu.4. FatigueIt’s not shocking that a viral infection would cause people to feel completely wiped out, Dr. Besser says. “Your body is working hard to fight the virus, and that requires a lot of energy,” she says. “It doesn’t leave much energy left over for you.”5. Sputum production, congestion, and runny noseSputum production, a.k.a. excess mucus that you may cough up, isn’t super common with COVID-19, but it’s common enough that more than a third of patients have experienced it. Dr. David Cutler, a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., points out that sputum production is common with plenty of other respiratory conditions, like the common cold and allergies, so you shouldn’t rush to assume you have COVID-19 if you’re experiencing this symptom alone.6. Sore throatBecause COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, you may have post-nasal drip (where excess mucus drips down the back of your nose and throat) and that can cause irritation in your throat, Dr. Besser says. Also, constantly coughing can be tough on your throat in general.7. Aches, pains, and headachesThese are common symptoms with viruses, Dr. Cutler says. “When you get a viral infection, often you get a fever and that fever response can cause the body to feel achy all over,” he explains. “We see that with the flu and other infections as well.”8. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomitingThere’s no clear reason to explain why this is happening in some people, Dr. Besser says, but she has some theories. “It’s possibly due to increased drainage from post-nasal drip into the stomach — that can cause issues,” she says. It could also just be the way the virus itself behaves in some people, she says.Research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that a “unique sub-group” of COVID-19 patients develop digestive symptoms. “In some cases, the digestive symptoms, particularly diarrhea, can be the initial presentation of COVID-19, and may only later or never present with respiratory symptoms or fever,” the researchers wrote. They believe these symptoms may occur because the virus enters your system through “a receptor found in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract where it is expressed at nearly 100-fold higher levels than in respiratory organs.”If your diarrhea lasts for more than two days without getting better, you feel extremely dehydrated (excessively thirsty, weak and lightheaded), and you have abdominal pain, see your doctor as soon as possible.Which COVID-19 symptoms are considered severe? If you have the following symptoms of COVID-19, you could be dealing with a complicated case, and the CDC says it’s your cue to head to the hospital: 1. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathingSome people with COVID-19 may have trouble breathing normally or feel out of breath doing things they normally had no trouble with, like walking up the stairs. This can be an indication that you’ve developed pneumonia or that your body is not getting enough oxygen, Dr. Watkins says.2. Persistent pain or pressure in your chestThis can also be a symptom of pneumonia, Dr. Watkins says. It can also be a sign of a blood clot, a known complication of the virus. It could also point to a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot breaks loose and makes its way to the lungs. Both can be serious and life-threatening conditions.3. New confusion, or the inability to wake up or stay awakeCOVID-19 can lead to encephalopathy, a disease where the brain is affected by an infection. That can cause symptoms like confusion and loss of consciousness. Some case reports (here and here) have shown COVID-19 patients who have experienced neurological effects of the condition. 4. Bluish lips or faceThis is an indication of lack of oxygen, Dr. Watkins says. When you breathe in, your lungs take oxygen in the air and send it into your blood. From there, your oxygen-rich blood is sent to the rest of your body. When your body isn’t able to take in enough air, the result can be a bluish tint to your lips or face, Dr. Watkins says. What should you do if you have COVID-19 symptoms? If you’re experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19, get your doctor on the phone. Once you discuss how you are feeling, they will be able to determine if you qualify for a COVID-19 test and go from there.However, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and most people are being advised to treat mild symptoms with over-the-counter remedies while isolating at home, Dr. Watkins says. “Many people have symptoms for two weeks — some longer and others a shorter duration,” he adds.For a fever, aches and pains, have acetaminophen (Tylenol) on hand and follow the label’s dosage instructions. Turn to cough medicine or tea with honey to relieve your cough or sore throat. Plenty of rest and fluids are also recommended. If you notice your symptoms getting worse, though, call your doctor to figure out the next best steps.