COVID-19

Related information about COVID-19

•  Long COVID 
•  COVID-19 vaccination 
•  COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test 

 COVID-19 symptoms and what to do 

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 symptoms can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.

For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either:

• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities

You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.

If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare.

If you test positive for COVID-19

Most people do not need to take a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if they have symptoms.

But if you choose to do a test and the result is positive:

• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults
• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over
• avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from infections, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test

If you are eligible for treatments for COVID-19, you should take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as you get symptoms.

How to look after COVID-19 symptoms yourself

It’s not always possible to treat COVID-19. But there are things you can do to help ease some of the symptoms, such as a high temperature, a cough and breathlessness.

 Do 

• get lots of rest
• drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
• try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough – do not give honey to babies under 12 months
• try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness
• breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle
• sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness
• relax your shoulders, so you're not hunched to help with breathlessness
• lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness

 Don’t 

• do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead
• do not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus
• try not to panic if you're feeling breathless – this can make it worse

Watch a video to find out how you can help relieve breathlessness

A pharmacist can help with a cough

If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist for advice about cough treatments.

 Call 112 or go to A&E if you or a child: 

• seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think there's something seriously wrong – children and babies in particular can get unwell very quickly
• get sudden chest pain
• are so breathless you're unable to say short sentences when resting or your breathing has suddenly got worse – in babies their stomach may suck in under their ribs
• start coughing up blood
• collapse, faint, or have a seizure or fit for the first time
• a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis

More information

Read more about how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19

 How to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19 infection 

How COVID-19 is spread

COVID-19 spreads very easily through close contact with people who have the virus.

When someone with COVID-19 breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release small droplets containing the virus. You can catch it by breathing in these droplets, or by touching surfaces covered in them and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

You are more likely to catch it indoors and in crowded places.

You can still catch or spread COVID-19 if you:

• do not have symptoms
• are fully vaccinated
• have had the virus before

Many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days, but you can be infectious for up to 10 days.

How to reduce your risk of COVID-19 infection

It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

If you're at increased risk from COVID-19

If you or your child are at increased risk of getting ill from COVID-19, try to avoid contact with people who have symptoms of COVID-19 until they feel better.

You may also want to:

• open windows and doors if you meet people inside, or meet them outside instead
• stay at least 2 metres away from people (particularly indoors or in crowded places)
• work from home if you can, or talk to your employer about how they can help reduce your risk at work
• wear a face covering when it's hard to stay away from other people
• think about asking people to wear a face covering or take a rapid lateral flow test if you're meeting them inside

How to avoid spreading COVID-19

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, there are things you can do to help you avoid passing it on to other people, including those you live with:

• cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and encourage children to do this
• regularly clean surfaces you touch often (such as door handles and remote controls) and in shared spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms
• try to stay away from other people, including those you live with, until you feel better
• let people who need to come into your home know that you’ve tested positive or have symptoms
• think about asking friends, family or neighbours to get food and other essentials for you
• avoid indoor or crowded places (including public transport or large social gatherings) or places where there is not much fresh air if you need to leave your home
• wear a face covering when it's hard to stay away from other people
• let healthcare professionals know about your positive test result or symptoms if you’re asked to attend an appointment in person

More information

• Read more about COVID-19 symptoms and what to do

 Treatments for COVID-19 

You're eligible for a COVID-19 treatment assessment, without being admitted to hospital, if all the following apply:

• you're at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• you're aged 12 or over
• you have symptoms of COVID-19
• you have tested positive for COVID-19

Show people at highest risk

You may be at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you:

• have Down's syndrome, or another chromosomal condition that affects your immune system
• have certain types of cancer, or had treatment for certain types of cancer
• have sickle cell disease
• have certain conditions affecting your blood, including some types of blood cancer
• have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5, including people on dialysis
• have severe liver disease
• have had an organ transplant
• have certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
• have HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
• have a condition affecting your immune system
• have a condition affecting the brain or nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease or certain types of dementia
• have certain lung conditions or treatments for lung conditions

This list is a summary and does not cover everything.

If you're unsure if you are eligible, speak to your GP or hospital specialist who can advise you.

Who can have COVID-19 treatment

The treatments available for people at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 are:

• nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid)
• sotrovimab (Xevudy)
• molnupiravir (Lagevrio)

Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, and molnupiravir are antiviral medicines.

When being assessed for treatment, a doctor will advise which treatment is most suitable for you.

Some treatments come as capsules or tablets that you swallow. Others are given to you through a drip in your arm (infusion), usually in a hospital or local health centre.

These treatments can help some people manage their COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill.

If you need to go into hospital for COVID-19, you may get other treatments.

Treatments for COVID-19

Your local integrated care board (ICB) or GP surgery can give you more information.

If you think you're in the highest risk group and need to access COVID-19 treatment, follow these steps to be considered for a referral.

1. Keep rapid lateral flow tests at home

If you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment, you should keep rapid lateral flow tests at home.

You may be able to pick up free rapid lateral flow test kits from your local pharmacy if you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment.

 that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests

Anyone collecting free tests on your behalf needs to give the pharmacy your details, including your:

• full name
• address
• date of birth
• medical condition(s) to confirm your eligibility

2. Take a rapid lateral flow test if you get symptoms

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as possible, even if your symptoms are mild. Only take a test if you have symptoms.

You can also use tests you've paid for, for example, a test you've bought from a supermarket or pharmacy.

4. If your test is negative, do a total of 3 tests over 3 days

If your test result is negative, but you still have symptoms of COVID-19, you need to do a total of 3 rapid lateral flow tests over 3 days.

For example, if you did your first test today, you should do a 2nd test tomorrow and a 3rd test the day after.

How to get COVID-19 treatment

• Find your ICB (local integrated care board) to access COVID treatments in your area