What to do if you get COVID-19
Information if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.
Latest identified symptoms
The NHS has added 9 signs of infection to the list of COVID-19 symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, such as colds and flu and should still be taken seriously. In adults they 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
What to do if you have symptoms or test positive
While you are no longer legally required to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should try to stay at home and away from others to avoid passing on the virus. Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you:
- have any symptoms, and have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities
- have tested positive - this means it's very likely you have the virus
You should avoid being in close contact with people at higher risk from COVID-19. This is particularly important if their immune system means they're at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, even if they've had a COVID-19 vaccine.
What to do if you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19
How long to stay at home and away from others if you test positive
If you have COVID-19, you can pass on the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts. Many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days.
You should:
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days
- avoiding meeting people at higher risk from COVID-19 for 10 days, especially if their immune system means they're at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, even if they've had a COVID-19 vaccine
This starts from the day after you did the test.
How to look after yourself at home if you are self-isolating
If you do not feel well enough to go to work or do normal activities
You should:
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people
- avoid meeting people at higher risk from COVID-19, especially if their immune system means they're at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, even if they've had a COVID-19 vaccine