COVID-19 - articles and advice
General information
Discover trusted, evidence-based articles on COVID-19 covering everything from early symptoms and self-care advice to vaccination, testing, and recovery. Learn how to manage ongoing effects, reduce transmission, and protect yourself and others. Our features explore the latest research, practical tips for living well after infection, and the wider impact of COVID-19 on everyday health.
For medical information see COVID-19 and Long COVID leaflets.
General information
Find reliable, easy-to-understand information on COVID-19 — from how the virus spreads to key symptoms and prevention advice. Our guides cover what to do if you test positive and how to protect vulnerable people around you.
- COVID-19 - coping with loneliness this Christmas
- How to contribute to COVID-19 research
- What are the long-term health impacts of coronavirus?
- How to help your child adjust to a post-COVID world
- Shielders: how can vulnerable people stay safe as restrictions end?
- Why are Black and Asian people at greater risk from COVID-19?
- How to hang on to a lockdown lifestyle
- Should we wear face masks after the pandemic?
- Is losing your sense of taste and smell a symptom of coronavirus?
- Can lifestyle changes reduce your COVID-19 risk?
- COVID-19: can children become seriously ill from coronavirus?
- Does diabetes increase your risk of coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how to avoid burnout during the coronavirus pandemic
- How to cope with traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic
- Are we prepared for another pandemic?
- Vitamin D and coronavirus: is there evidence it can help?
- Coronavirus: why is outdoors safer than inside?
- COVID-19: do you need to wear a mask to avoid coronavirus?
- Coronavirus: what are moderate, severe and critical COVID-19?
- COVID-19: coronavirus myths debunked
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to eat healthily from the cupboard and freezer
- COVID-19: how to protect yourself against coronavirus
- COVID-19 coronavirus: do I need to self-isolate?
- COVID-19: do you need to worry about coronavirus?
- COVID-19: what should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what is an underlying health condition?
- Coronavirus: how do we become immune to diseases like COVID-19?
- COVID-19: what you need to know about coronavirus and pregnancy
- How to stay healthy while working at home
- COVID-19: what you need to know about coronavirus
- Coping with anxiety around COVID-19 uncertainty
- Are we prepared to fight flu and COVID-19 this winter?
- How to ventilate safely to protect against COVID-19 this winter
- Why are women so vulnerable to COVID-19 in pregnancy?
- How to protect yourself from COVID-19 and flu in pregnancy
- How to reduce your risk of coronavirus on public transport
- How to make face masks and coverings more comfortable
- COVID-19: how to avoid catching viruses at work
- COVID-19: how to stay safe at work
- Face coverings: what should you look for in a homemade mask?
- What happens if you catch flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
- COVID-19: how to stay safe this Christmas
- How has COVID-19 impacted cancer patients?
- COVID-19: What is herd immunity and will we ever reach it?
- Flurona: What we know about COVID-19 and flu combined infection
- Coronavirus: what are asymptomatic and mild COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how you can contribute to the fight against coronavirus
- What are the differences between colds, flu and COVID-19?
- How to choose the right face mask for you
- Bad posture: how to defeat the 'COVID slump'
- Is it COVID-19 or flu this winter?
- National Day of Reflection: coping with grief after losing a loved one to COVID-19
- Why it's normal to feel anxious about a post-COVID future
- How to manage health anxiety in a post-pandemic world
Long COVID
Discover what we know about long COVID, including ongoing symptoms, possible causes and recovery support. Learn how to manage fatigue, breathlessness and other long-term effects with practical guidance and expert advice.
- Long COVID: What are the symptoms and treatment?
- Coronavirus: how quickly do COVID-19 symptoms develop and how long do they last?
- Why is ME/CFS research key to understanding long COVID?
- How could long COVID impact your mental health?
- Long COVID: what support is available?
- Long COVID: what it is and how to cope
Pandemic articles
Read in-depth features on the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explore how it changed healthcare, work and daily life, and discover lessons learned from public health experts, clinicians and community experiences.
- What are the latest rules on face masks in the UK?
- How to reduce your risk of DIY injuries during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: how to keep kids active during the coronavirus lockdown
- How to cope with a fear of leaving lockdown
- How to make the most of video therapy sessions during lockdown
- COVID-19: how to deal with an eating disorder during coronavirus lockdown
- What to do if you need contraception or abortion care during lockdown
- What to do if you have a dental emergency during the lockdown
- Why lockdown is making us feel exhausted
- Should you worry about your lockdown drinking habits?
- COVID-19: can I still get my prescription during the coronavirus lockdown?
- COVID-19: how to manage mood swings during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: will sticking to a routine help during coronavirus lockdown?
- COVID-19: how to look after your sexual health during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: what to do if you feel suicidal during the coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: how to look after your mental health during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: Can lockdowns change our personalities?
- May lockdown easing: what are the new restrictions?
- How to maintain a healthy lifestyle during lockdown
- Lockdown easing: what is the plan and is it realistic?
- What are the school COVID rules October 2023?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what can I do under the new rules?
- COVID-19: is it safe to send your kids back to school?
- Tips to help your kids get used to face masks and coverings
- COVID-19: how to talk to children about the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how to manage back-to-school worries
- Is the pandemic affecting children's development?
- How to help children cope with stress and anxiety during the pandemic
- Is coronavirus guidance different for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- COVID-19: the latest UK coronavirus guidelines
- COVID-19: how to use pharmacies during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how does the coronavirus pandemic affect your sleep?
- Can apps help you manage your mental health during the pandemic?
- COVID-19: how to cope with loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how to support vulnerable friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to contraception?
- Why it’s difficult to switch off during the pandemic
- How are universities supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- How have Brits neglected their oral health during the pandemic?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what is social distancing?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what to do if you need to see a GP or get medication
- COVID-19: what happens next with the coronavirus outbreak?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to self-isolate
- COVID-19: is handwashing still important when you're self-isolating?
- COVID-19: when do experts predict life will return to normal?
- 19th July: staying safe as COVID-19 restrictions ease
- A year on: what we now know about COVID-19
- How to meet friends and family safely outdoors
- COVID-19: how does the coronavirus pandemic affect autistic people?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to exercise at home
- Is there a rise in alcohol deaths during COVID-19 pandemic?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: when will we have a vaccine?
- How to stay on top of unhealthy habits in lockdown
- Coping with OCD as lockdown eases
- Tips for restarting your exercise routine after lockdown
- What to do if you have problems with your eyes during lockdown
- Can I have routine vaccinations under lockdown?
- Coping with grief during the coronavirus pandemic
- Has the pandemic had an impact on child obesity?
Vaccination, tests and treatment
Stay informed about the latest COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, testing options, and available treatments. Understand how vaccines work, when to test, and what steps to take if you develop symptoms or need medical care.
- What are the options for COVID treatment at home?
- What is the COVID-19 antibody blood test and should I get one?
- What are the benefits of mixing and matching COVID-19 booster vaccines?
- How to book your COVID-19 booster vaccine
- Are any coronavirus home remedies safe or effective?
- COVID-19: can I get tested for coronavirus?
- COVID-19: who can get tested for coronavirus under the new UK guidance?
- Are the new COVID-19 swab tests accurate?
- How does the new 90-minute COVID-19 test work?
- Test and trace: how does it work?
- COVID-19: When should you do a lateral flow test and when should you do a PCR?
- COVID-19 antibody tests: how do they work and who can get tested?
- The latest treatments for COVID-19
- Why it's a good thing if you feel unwell after your COVID-19 booster jab
- COVID-19: How to book your booster jab before the autumn and winter waves
- What impact has COVID-19 had on HIV testing?
- Will we need a COVID-19 booster vaccine every year?
- Should children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- What COVID-19 vaccines and medications are available around the world?
- Can the COVID vaccine affect the menstrual cycle?
- When will I get my COVID-19 vaccine?
- What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine
- The future of COVID-19 vaccinations
- COVID-19 boosters and pregnancy: Are they safe and should you get them?
- Do you get better COVID-19 immunity from vaccination or infection?
- Are we any closer to a coronavirus vaccine?
- Are vaccinations going to change during the pandemic?
- AstraZeneca vaccine: is it safe and does it cause blood clots?
Variants information
Learn how COVID-19 variants emerge, what makes them different, and how they affect transmission, symptoms and vaccine protection. Our expert-reviewed articles explain the latest variant updates and what they mean for your health.
- COVID-19: Is Omicron a bigger threat than the Delta variant?
- COVID-19: how do Omicron symptoms compare to other variants?
- Should you be worried about the Indian COVID-19 variant?
- What we know about the IHU COVID-19 variant
- What we know about the new COVID-19 variants Eris and Pirola
- What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 variant Pirola?
- COVID-19: How contagious is Omicron?
- COVID-19: Should vulnerable people shield because of Omicron?
- COVID-19: Should you cancel your Christmas plans because of Omicron?