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