NHS website

Overview Overview

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus called coronavirus.

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), avoid close contact with anyone you do not live with and wash your hands regularly.

You can usually treat mild coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms at home. If your symptoms are severe, you may need medical care until you recover.

Read more on the NHS website.

Symptoms Symptoms

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

a high temperature – this 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 (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you have any of these symptoms, get a test to check if you have coronavirus and stay at home until you get your result.

Read more on the NHS website.

Treatments Treatments

You can usually treat mild coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms at home. If your symptoms are severe, you may need medical care until you recover.

Self-care

There are things you can do to treat mild symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) while you’re staying at home (self-isolating).

If you have a high temperature:

get lots of rest
drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable

If you have a cough:

avoid lying on your back – lie on your side or sit upright instead
try having a teaspoon of honey – but do not give honey to babies under 12 months

If you feel breathless:

keep your room cool by turning the heating down or opening a window – do not use a fan as it may spread the virus
sit upright in a chair and relax your shoulders
try breathing slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle

Medical treatments

Treatment for severe coronavirus infections in hospital aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the effects of the virus while your body fights the infection.

For example, you may need breathing support or medicine to reduce inflammation in your body caused by the virus.

Read more on the NHS website.

Prevention Prevention

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), avoid close contact with anyone you do not live with and wash your hands regularly.

Read more on the NHS website.