Coronavirus (COVID-19)

These are the symptoms of coronavirus:

• a new continuous cough
• sneezing
• a blocked or runny nose
• a sore throat
• a headache
• muscle aches
• shortness of breath, tight chest or wheezing
• a high temperature (fever), which is usually about 38°C or higher (100.4°F)
• feeling generally unwell
• feeling tired or having a lack of energy

Less common symptoms of coronavirus are:

• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• feeling sick or vomiting

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, there are two things you should do:

• stay away from people who are at increased risk of becoming more unwell from respiratory infections, if you can
• not visit hospitals or care homes

You may still have a cough or feel tired after your other symptoms have gone. This doesn't mean you are still infectious to others.

You or your child:

• have severe or sudden chest pain that isn't going away, and it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
• have severe difficulty breathing, for example struggling to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
• are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
• collapse, faint, or have a seizure or fit for the first time
• feel more drowsy than usual or find it harder to wake up
• have lips or skin that are turning pale, blue or grey (on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of the hands)
• have blotchy or mottled skin
• have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it (the glass test)

Speak to a doctor if you:

• have symptoms that are not improving, or you're concerned about your symptoms
• are worried about your child
• have had a high temperature for more than 3 days
• have a temperature below 36°C
• have breathlessness which is not improving
• have had a cough for more than 3 weeks
• have symptoms that are not improving or that are affecting your daily life
• have a long-term medical condition (for example, diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition)
• have a weakened immune system (for example, because you're having chemotherapy)

Most acute respiratory infections, coronavirus among them, pass within 3 weeks. Until the infection clears up, there are a few things you can do at home to ease your symptoms.

• rest
• drink plenty of fluids
• eat healthily
• take over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with high temperature and aches
• use decongestant sprays or tablets to relieve a blocked nose
• use extra pillows to raise your head while sleeping, so breathing is easier and your chest clears of mucus
• try remedies such as gargling salt water and sucking on menthol sweets

• Do not smoke, because this can make your symptoms worse
• Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time
• Do not give aspirin to children under 16

Antibiotics will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.

It's important to get help if you're at increased risk of becoming more unwell from coronavirus. That includes being pregnant, being aged 60 or over, or having a weakened immune system.

You can take some steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus infection.

• cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, and before you eat or handle food
• clean surfaces you use often, like door handles and remote controls, and shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, on a regular basis
• open windows to ventilate the rooms you have been in
• stay at home until you no longer have a fever (if you had one) and don't need medicine to lower your fever
• if you have been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, tell them about your symptoms before you go
• let people you've recently been in contact with know that you're feeling unwell, so they can watch for symptoms, especially if they're at higher risk of getting ill from a respiratory infection
• tell anyone who needs to come into your home that you have respiratory symptoms
• wear a face mask or face covering if you need to leave your home while you're unwell
• try to avoid busy or crowded spaces with poor ventilation

• If you can, don't have close contact with anyone who is at increased risk of becoming more unwell from coronavirus, especially people with a weakened immune system.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself from serious illness, including coronavirus (COVID-19). These vaccines are available:

• flu vaccine
• coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
• RSV vaccine for adults aged 75 to 79
• RSV vaccine during pregnancy
• child flu vaccine