What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?


If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

What should I do if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?


Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. If you have a positive COVID-19 test result, it is very likely that you have COVID-19 even if you do not have any symptoms. You can pass on the infection to others, even if you have no symptoms.

Can people with mild COVID-19 symptoms recover at home?

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

What is the new guidance for people with suspected COVID-19 symptoms?


From 1 April, updated guidance will advise people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and a high temperature or who feel unwell, to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.

What are signs and symptoms of the coronavirus disease?

Signs and symptoms include respiratory symptoms and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and sometimes death.

Standard recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include frequent cleaning of hands using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water; covering the nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or disposable tissue when coughing and sneezing; and avoiding close contact with anyone that has a fever and cough.

25 related questions found

What are some of the most common symptoms of the COVID-19 Delta variant?

Cough, fatigue, headache and loss of taste and/or smell continue to be the most commonly reported symptoms in those testing positive.

What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?

The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‐19

Can you take ibuprofen if you have the coronavirus disease?

Patients can take paracetamol or ibuprofen when self-medicating for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever and headache, and should follow NHS advice if they have any questions or if symptoms get worse.

How long should care home residents isolate after testing positive for COVID-19?


Residents who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 10 days and take part in daily lateral flow testing from day 5. They can end self-isolation after receiving 2 consecutive negative tests 24 hours apart, or after 10 days' isolation.

Who is eligible for statutory sick pay during the COVID-19 pandemic?


People will no longer be deemed eligible for SSP where they are self-isolating but may only have very mild or no symptoms and would therefore otherwise be considered capable of work. The consequence of this repeal is that individuals will have to be sick or incapable of work to be eligible for SSP .

How long do I have to wait for my booster after having COVID-19?


If you have a COVID-19 positive result, when can you have a booster? You will still need the booster but you should wait at least 4 weeks from your COVID-19 infection.

In what conditions does COVID-19 survive the longest?

Coronaviruses die very quickly when exposed to the UV light in sunlight. Like other enveloped viruses, SARS-CoV-2 survives longest when the temperature is at room temperature or lower, and when the relative humidity is low (<50%).

Can the coronavirus survive on surfaces?

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems likely to behave like other coronaviruses. A recent review of the survival of human coronaviruses on surfaces found large variability, ranging from 2 hours to 9 days (11).

The survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.

Is it safe to live in the same house as someone with COVID-19?


People who live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 are at the highest risk of becoming infected because they are most likely to have prolonged close contact. People who stayed overnight in the household of someone with COVID-19 while they were infectious are also at high risk.

How long should I exercise for in self-quarantine?

WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week for adults, or a combination of both. The guidance is intended for people in self-quarantine without any symptoms or diagnosis of acute respiratory illness.

Should I wear a mask if I have a COVID-19 infection?


If you have symptoms or have a positive COVID-19 test result and you need to leave your home, wearing a well-fitting face covering or a face mask can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

What should be done in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in a care home?


If a care home has an outbreak, this has impacts on visiting. In the event of an outbreak in a care home, the home should stop indoor visiting (except in exceptional circumstances such as end of life). All movements out of a setting should be minimised as far as possible.

How long should asymptomatic children stay in home isolation after a positive COVID-19 result?


There is some evidence that children have a shorter duration of illness compared to adults. Children and young people who are asymptomatic, choose to take a COVID-19 test and receive a positive test result are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day of the test.

Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

What nutrition guidance should I follow during the coronavirus disease outbreak?

Proper nutrition and hydration are vital. People who eat a well-balanced diet tend to be healthier with stronger immune systems and lower risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases. So you should eat a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods every day to get the vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, protein and antioxidants your body needs. Drink enough water.

Can COVID-19 cause pneumonia?

Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection. It can also be caused by a virus, such as coronavirus (COVID-19).

What is a healthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Every day, eat a mix of wholegrains like wheat, maize and rice, legumes like lentils and beans, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables , with some foods from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish, eggs and milk).

• Choose wholegrain foods like unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice when you can; they are rich in valuable fibre and can help you feel full for longer.

• For snacks, choose raw vegetables, fresh fruit, and unsalted nuts.

Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

What are the complications of COVID-19?

Complications may include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, septic shock, and death.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine have side effects?

After you've had the vaccine, you might feel unwell for a short time. This is called having side effects. Side effects don't usually make you feel very poorly, and not everyone gets them.

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