COVID-19 Information for Patients & Visitors

Responses to frequently asked questions

• What are the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection?

  Reviewed February 25, 2021

  The symptoms of COVID-19 infections can range from very mild to severe, and some people have no symptoms at all. In those who feel unwell, symptoms may include:

  • Fever
  • Cough or shortness of breath
  • Unexplained muscle aches
  • Changes in taste and smell
  • Sore throat
  • Eye conjunctivitis
  • Stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

  These symptoms are also associated with other medical conditions, so clinical testing may be needed to determine whether they are signs of COVID-19.

  UCSF recommends seeking immediate medical attention if you develop any of these emergency signs:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to wake up or stay awake
  • Bluish-colored lips or face

  Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or up to 14 days after exposure.

  Use our online symptom checker in MyChart or the CDC's coronavirus self-checker to get a better idea of what your next steps should be if you are feeling ill.

• What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

  Reviewed Oct. 19, 2021

  If you're a UCSF patient, you can choose one of two ways to schedule COVID-19 testing or treatment.

  • Call our COVID-19 hotline at (415) 514-7328. A nurse will ask about your symptoms and exposures before scheduling an appropriate visit or test.
  • Log in to MyChart. Navigate to the "Find care" section and select "COVID-19 testing and care." Answer a series of questions and, if eligible, you’ll be prompted to schedule your test or appointment. (MyChart self-scheduling is available for patients who have visited a UCSF provider in the past five years.)

  If you're a patient at the UCSF Cancer Center, contact them for specific instructions before calling the hotline or scheduling in MyChart.

  If you're a UCSF Health patient and have symptoms of COVID-19, we're committed to helping you get tested within 48 hours.

  In the meantime, if you feel sick, take these precautions:

  • Avoid public areas and stay away from others in your home. If you can use a separate bedroom and bathroom, do so.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth when you're around other people in your home or in public. Do not wear a mask with a valve, as these masks allow droplets to be released and don't protect others nearby.
  • Wash your hands after touching your face, before eating and after using the bathroom. If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items.
  • Clean all high-touch surfaces regularly, including counters, tabletops, doorknobs, phones and keyboards. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe according to label instructions.
  • Monitor your symptoms. If they're getting worse, contact your health care provider or go to the nearest emergency room.

  Watch a video that explains more.

  If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you might have or are being evaluated for COVID-19.

• Should I go to the emergency room if I'm sick?

  Reviewed February 25, 2021

  If you're sick, contact your doctor or call our patient hotline at (415) 514-7328 so we can determine the urgency of your situation. If you think you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

• Are children more susceptible to COVID-19?

  Reviewed February 25, 2021

  While rare, severe illness and death have occurred in children with COVID-19 disease and its complications. However, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible than adults, and they may even be less susceptible.

• Are people who recover from a COVID-19 infection immune to the virus?

  Reviewed February 25, 2021

  Reinfection with COVID-19 is rare, but it has happened. A small number of studies are under way to examine how long immunity lasts after previous infection. At this time, it appears that most patients who have recovered from COVID-19 disease are very unlikely to develop a second infection within three months of the initial infection.