COVID-19: what should I do if I think I have coronavirus?

Across the world, countries are taking serious measures to minimise the outbreak of the virus including going into quarantine, widespread testing and the closure of public spaces.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to other respiratory infections like cold and flu. According to a study published in The Lancet, the proportion of infected people with the following symptoms of coronavirus infection is:

However, it is possible to have coronavirus, and be able to pass it on, without having any symptoms. That's why it's important to take action if you are advised to, to avoid passing it on to anyone who may be at greater risk of a serious infection.

If you think there is a chance you might have coronavirus, you should isolate yourself immediately and use our coronavirus checker tool.

Self-isolation: what does it mean?

You must self-isolate for seven days if you develop any symptoms of fever or a new cough. If you are part of a household and anybody in that household develops symptoms, everyone else must isolate for fourteen days. If more people in the household develop symptoms, they must isolate for a further seven days from the start of their symptoms, even if it means isolating for more than fourteen days.

If your fever is gone and you feel better, you can leave isolation at the end of your allotted period. You must continue to isolate until the end of the period. Your cough may persist after your fever is gone.

If you continue to feel unwell or worse, you should use the coronavirus checker tool again and contact NHS 111 or the relevant number for your region if instructed.

If you have to be away from work to self-isolate, you may be worried about pay. The government has announced that workers will receive statutory sick pay from day one of isolation, in an emergency move to prevent people working when they should be in isolation. This does not apply to freelancers, those who work for themselves or those earning less than £118 a week. The government says it is discussing other options to ensure that people are able to self-isolate if required.

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Long COVID

Most people with COVID-19 infection (SARS CoV-2 infection) feel better within a few days or weeks and recover completely within 12 weeks of the infection. However, some people have ongoing symptoms that remain for weeks, months, or longer, which is usually called "long COVID". For some, these long-term effects of COVID-19 can be debilitating. These effects can be very different from person to person, and it seems likely that there are different 'types' of long COVID, or different syndromes, which might behave in different ways.

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How does testing work?

People with mild cases of coronavirus are no longer being tested in the UK. Only those who are admitted to hospital with a moderate or severe respiratory infection will be tested.

Health professionals will test you by taking samples which may include blood, faeces (poo) or mucus from your nose, throat or lungs.

How do we treat COVID-19?

Most people - around 80% - have an asymptomatic or mild infection which doesn't require treatment. In this case, you should self-isolate for at least one week until you have recovered.

One in five people who contract COVID-19 will require hospital care. Around 15% of cases experience a severe infection requiring oxygen to help with respiratory symptoms. 5% experience critical infections, requiring ventilation. Those at a higher risk of severe or critical infections include older people and those with underlying health conditions.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists issued new guidance for pregnant women who are concerned about coronavirus.

Currently there isn't a specific treatment for COVID-19 but we can treat the symptoms to help your body fight off the coronavirus. Antibiotics do not work as they only fight bacterial, not viral, infections. Antiviral drugs, such as those used to treat HIV, are being tested to see if they will have an impact on the coronavirus. Those requiring hospitalisation will be treated for their symptoms such as breathing difficulties or pneumonia.

How to prevent coronavirus

Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to health conditions. You can take various measures to reduce your personal risk of contracting the virus.