COVID-19 (Coronavirus)– the symptoms and how to protect yourself

COVID-19 is an illness that affects your lungs and airways, caused by a coronavirus discovered in 2019. Get the facts, including how it can be prevented and  treated. 


What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Getting help 

What’s the treatment? 

How can I prevent COVID-19? 

What can I expect after having COVID-19?

First seen in humans at the end of 2019, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that affects your airways and lungs. It’s caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2, which is a type of coronavirus. 

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can infect humans and animals. Many coronaviruses only cause mild infections, such as the common cold. 

However, some cause serious illnesses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and COVID-19. 

COVID-19 is very contagious and spreads quickly from person to person.  When you’ve got COVID, you can breathe out tiny particles and droplets containing the virus. 

These droplets can be breathed in by other people and can also land on surfaces you touch where they can be picked up by others.

Read on to learn more about COVID-19, including symptoms, how to limit your chance of infection and what to do if you get it. 


## What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 affects people in different ways. Most people have a mild to moderate illness that gets better without medical treatment. 

There are a number of possible symptoms, which can vary from person to person and usually appear 2-14 days after coming into contact with the virus. They can include:
- a new, continuous cough
- high temperature ([fever](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/viral-fevers-explained)) or chills
- loss of or change to your sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- tiredness (fatigue)
- muscle aches and pains
- headache
- sore throat
- runny or blocked nose
- not feeling like eating 
- loose, watery poos ([diarrhoea](https://www.livehealthily.com/diarrhoea-vomiting/diarrhoea))
- feeling sick ([nausea](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/feeling-sick-nausea)) or being sick (vomiting)

Not everyone gets symptoms. In fact, it’s thought that as many as 1 in 3 people who get COVID-19 have no symptoms (asymptomatic) – but they can still infect other people.

Most people with COVID-19 get better within a few weeks. But for some, the condition can be severe or critical, with lasting symptoms causing serious medical problems, so it’s important to get urgent medical help.

### What should I do if I have COVID symptoms?

If you’re feeling sick and think you might have COVID-19 stay home and away from others, including people you live with. 

You can go back to your usual routine once:
- your symptoms have improved for 24 hours
- you’ve not had a fever in 24 hours 

You can still pass on the virus even after you’ve recovered, so for 5 days take steps to avoid others catching it. 

These measures can include physical distancing, wearing masks and practicing good hygiene such as hand washing. 

If you take a test for COVID-19 and it’s positive but you have no symptoms you should still follow the above practices for 5 days. 


Get help with this

## Getting help 
### When you need urgent medical care

See your doctor now if you have symptoms/have tested positive and: 

- your symptoms are getting worse
- you have a high temperature that lasts for 5 days or more and doesn’t come down with acetaminophen (paracetamol)
- you’re in at-risk groups of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, such as being pregnant, you’re aged 60 or over, or you have a weakened immune system

### When you need emergency help

Seek emergency care if: 

- you get sudden chest pain
- you have breathing problems and can’t say short sentences
- you cough up blood
- You have pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or skin under nails, depending on skin tone

If any other symptoms you have are severe or concerning you, speak to your doctor.  


## What’s the treatment? 

If you don’t have severe COVID-19, you can usually look after yourself at home. Self-care measures to treat symptoms include:

- resting
- drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated
- taking painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) for aches and fever
- taking honey or asking a pharmacist for advice – if you have a cough
- sitting upright, leaning forward slightly and slowly breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth – if you’re feeling breathless 

Most mild cases of COVID-19 get better on their own within a few weeks, although this can take longer in some cases. 

Anti-viral treatments have become available to treat mild to moderate illness in people more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19. 

These treatments work to target parts of the virus and stop it multiplying in the body, preventing it from leading to more severe illness. 

Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about the right treatments available for you. 


## How can I prevent COVID-19? 

While avoiding the virus isn’t always possible, try these tips to protect yourself and others:

- getting a COVID-19 vaccine and any booster jabs (see below)
- avoiding contact with people who are ill
- staying away from crowded indoor places, where you’re likely to be in close contact with lots of people 
- opening windows and doors to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
- covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze
- washing your hands regularly with soap and water, or if not available using hand sanitiser 
- wearing a face covering when you’re around other people indoors
- staying at home if you feel unwell

### Should I have the COVID-19 vaccine?

Having a COVID-19 vaccine gives you the best protection against COVID-19. Several types of safe and effective vaccines are available in most countries.

The vaccines are usually given as an injection in your arm, and doses can be offered  seasonally or to certain groups who have weakened immune systems at other times.

It is recommended by the WHO that you have a COVID vaccine whenever it is made available to you. 

Exactly when and how a vaccine is given will vary depending on the type of vaccine and the current guidelines in place where you live. If you’re a healthy adult who has already taken at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, then revaccination may not be routinely offered. 

You should not take the vaccine if: 

- you’re allergic to any ingredients in the COVID vaccine
- you’ve had a fever above 38.5℃/ 101℉ on the day of your appointment. You can reschedule if so 

If you’re on blood thinning medication, you can still get the vaccine but you should let the person giving you the vaccine know. 

It’s safe to take the vaccine if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or are planning to get pregnant.

While the vaccine reduces your risk of both getting or spreading the virus, you can still get COVID-19 after you’ve been vaccinated. But the vaccine also cuts your risk of getting seriously ill if you do get infected.


## What can I expect after having COVID-19?

Many people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of infection, and most people will recover fully within 12 weeks. 

If you still have symptoms more than 4 weeks after being infected, or you’re concerned, speak to a doctor. They can offer advice about managing your symptoms, and put you in contact with support services if necessary.


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References

Rosa Bowden

Susie Parker

Jo Wheatley

Dr Tamer T Malak

Article information

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