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 are eligible for treatments for COVID-19, you should take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as you get symptoms.
Find out more about treatments for COVID-19 and who can have them
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
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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
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breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle
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sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness
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relax your shoulders, so you're not hunched to help with breathlessness
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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
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do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead
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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
Video: tips for breathlessness
Find out how you can help relieve breathlessness.
Media review due: 2 June 2026
A pharmacist can help with a cough
If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist for advice about cough treatments.
What to do if you have tested positive
If you or your child have tested positive for COVID-19:
- 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 to other people 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 viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test
You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms.
Find out more about COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you're worried about your or a child's COVID-19 symptoms or are not sure what to do
- the symptoms are getting worse or are not getting better
- you or a child have other signs of illness, such as a rash, loss of appetite, or feeling weak
- you or a child have a high temperature that last 5 days or more or does not come down with paracetamol
- a child under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
- a child 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
It's particularly important to get help if you're at increased risk of getting ill from COVID-19, such as if you're pregnant, aged 60 or over, or have a weakened immune system.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Immediate action required: Call 999 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
Read full guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 on GOV.UK
GOV.UK guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk from COVID-19
Page last reviewed: 21 March 2023
Next review due: 21 March 2026