Symptoms

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that can affect your lungs and airways. The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has the COVID-19 infection:

• A new continuous cough.
• A high temperature (37.8 degrees or higher).
• Shortness of breath.
• A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness and the symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu. For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you should self-isolate at home.

Latest guidance

If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for seven days from when your symptoms started. If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Read the latest stay at home guidance from the Government

Treatment for coronavirus

There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.

Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.

Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.

You'll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.