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COVID-19 is a viral infection that affects your lungs and airways. It causes mild symptoms in most people and serious symptoms in others. Rest assured, as a Kaiser Permanente member, you’re covered for COVID-19 care and services — including the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Getting the vaccine is the best thing you can do to protect yourself against this virus.
Other respiratory viral infections like from the flu virus and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tend to happen during certain seasons. Getting vaccinated is key to staying protected against these viruses. Learn more about seasonal vaccines and why they're so important for your health.
People with COVID-19 may have mild to severe symptoms, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of smell or taste. While patient information shows most cases are mild, symptoms tend to be more severe in older adults and people with chronic conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against potentially serious illness this fall and winter.
It’s especially important to get vaccinated if you’re at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Older people and those with weakened immune systems have a greater risk for hospitalization and even death from the virus. However, even healthy children and adults can get seriously ill from COVID-19.
Paxlovid is a treatment for people who have an active COVID-19 infection and are at high risk for serious illness. It’s available by prescription at Kaiser Permanente pharmacies. Your care team may recommend it if:
For some people, Paxlovid may have 2 mild side effects: a metallic taste in the mouth and diarrhea. These side effects will go away once you’ve finished taking Paxlovid. Also, your care team will check what medications you’re taking and determine if any of them need to be held or have dosing changed while you are taking Paxlovid.
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