How long does it take to develop symptoms after exposure?

[catsarelifetome]

Sorry if this is an obvious question, would just like someone to calm my mind if nothing else.

I went out 3 hours ago to the shops. I now feel like I'm getting a sore throat and strange feeling in my chest - could be psychological maybe, or would symptoms come on that quickly?

They wouldn't come on that quickly..its an average of 5 days but it could be up to 14

that is definitely psychosomatic.

minimum 4 days, usually more. part of the reason cv is spreading so much is that you feel absolutely fine for several days after infection, during which the virus is multiplying and spreading itself further with every contact you have and no one any the wiser.

2 to 14 days is often quoted. Average time is around 5 days.

"The median incubation period was estimated to be 5.1 days (95% CI, 4.5 to 5.8 days), and 97.5% of those who develop symptoms will do so within 11.5 days (CI, 8.2 to 15.6 days) of infection. These estimates imply that, under conservative assumptions, 101 out of every 10 000 cases (99th percentile, 482) will develop symptoms after 14 days of active monitoring or quarantine."
annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2762808/incubation-period-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-from-publicly-reported

It can't come on that quickly. I had to remind myself of this fact last time I ventured out to the shops a week ago and was panicking that evening.