Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this 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 (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
- You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started
What if you’re unsure what to do
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you’re worried about your symptoms
- you’re not sure what to do
- go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
Call 111 if you cannot get help online. Do not go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
What to do in an emergancy
Call 999 now if you have:
- signs of a heart attack – pain like a very tight band, heavy weight or squeezing in the centre of your chest
- signs of a stroke – face drooping on one side, can’t hold both arms up, difficulty speaking
- severe difficulty breathing – not being able to get words out, choking or gasping
- heavy bleeding – that won’t stop
- severe injuries – or deep cuts after a serious accident
- seizure (fit) – someone is shaking or jerking because of a fit, or is unconscious (can’t be woken up)
- sudden, rapid swelling – of the eyes, lips, mouth, throat or tongue
Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.
