There are three main symptoms of the coronavirus.
If you have one of these, you should get tested.
- New and persistent cough – Coughing for more than an hour or three or more coughing fits in 24 hours
- fever – a temperature above 37.8 °C
- Change in smell or taste – Either you cannot taste or smell anything, or these senses are different than normal.
Public Health England says around 85% of people with Covid will have at least one of these symptoms.
People infected with new variants like Delta may be more likely to have other symptoms, such as a headache, sore throat or a runny nose, according to research from the Zoe Covid study and an ONS survey.
If you have any symptoms, you should get tested as soon as possible and not leave home for any other reason.
It takes an average of five days after infection for symptoms to appear.
No – it can affect multiple organs and has some less common symptoms.
Scientists, using data on the health of four million people, say Covid has six subtypes:
- Flu-like without fever: Headache, loss of smell, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, chest pains, no fever
- Flu-like with fever: Headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough
- Fatigue (severe level one): Headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue
- Confusion (severe level two): Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, tiredness, confusion, muscle pain
- Abdomen and respiratory system (severe level three): Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, tiredness, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Researchers believe that vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps could be a sign of the coronavirus in children.
Some people who contract Covid develop frostbite-like lesions on their toes or fingers.
It can happen to anyone but is more common in children and teenagers.
For some, it’s painless, but the rash can be very sore and itchy.
It seems to be a side effect of the body going into attack mode to fight off the virus.
Researchers write in the British Journal of Dermatology that they have identified which parts of the immune system are responsible, which should lead to better treatments.
- Covid toe condition explained by new study
Many other viruses have similar symptoms to Covid, including the flu.
Public Health England says just under half of people who have any of the three main symptoms of Covid will not have it.
- How do I get a flu shot?
If you test positive, you should self-isolate at home for at least 10 days from the time symptoms appear.
Most people have only mild symptoms, which can be managed with pain relievers (like acetaminophen), bed rest, and fluids.
You should not go to a doctor’s office, pharmacy or hospital.
As of August 16, people who have been double stung (or are under the age of 18) are not required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a person who has tested positive.
- When do I have to self-isolate?
Vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization or death from Covid.
If you’re seriously unwell and have a medical emergency, you should call 999 — this includes feeling so breathless you can’t speak more than a few words.
If you are concerned that your symptoms are getting worse, visit the NHS 111 England website, NHS Inform in Scotland or the equivalent websites in Wales and Northern Ireland.
The main reason people need hospital care is for breathing difficulties where they can be given oxygen.
The most critically ill patients may require ventilation, in which patients are sedated and air is forced into their lungs.
Older people and people with previous illnesses (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure) are more likely to become seriously ill. Men have a slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.
- How do ventilators work?
- Which treatments work best against Covid?
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