What is COVID-19, what are the symptoms, and how can you protect yourself and others?
What is coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The term 'coronavirus' refers to a group of viruses that can cause many different conditions, including the common cold. The virus that caused the pandemic that started in 2019-2020 is not just a cold. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies COVID-19 as an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus, and most people who become infected experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms include:
- a new, continuous cough
- fever (high temperature)
- loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick.
Most people with these symptoms are able to manage at home. If you are feeling unwell, get plenty of rest and drink water to keep hydrated. You can use medications such as paracetamol to help with symptoms.
If you’re worried that your symptoms are becoming much worse or you’re struggling to cope, use the NHS 111 online service or call 111. Do not go to your GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital in person. The 111 staff will advise on the next steps.
How do I avoid catching or spreading coronavirus?
COVID-19 spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
See the Government's latest guidance on keeping yourself and others safe
Have a look at these coronavirus myth busters from the World Health Organisation (WHO)
Taking steps to avoid severe illness
Having a risk factor such as high cholesterol alone does not mean you are more likely to get coronavirus or become seriously ill if you do get it, particularly if your cholesterol is well controlled.
For people with high cholesterol and/or those at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, our specialist recommendations to avoid severe illness are:
- closely follow current advice and guidance set out by the government and NHS
- take any medications you've been prescribed to control risk factors for diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular diseases), such as lipid-lowering medicines (such as statins) for high cholesterol, and medicines for high blood pressure and diabetes
- follow healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle advice, including avoiding smoking.
COVID-19 vaccination
Take up the NHS invitation to attend a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Research has shown that vaccines help reduce the risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19, and reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus.
- First and second doses, additional primary doses and boosters are available.
Treatments for COVID-19
There are now four treatments for people at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus and other treatments may be available if you need to go to hospital. The four treatments are:
- nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid)
- remdesivir (Veklury)
- molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
- sotrovimab (Xevudy)
The first three are all antiviral medicines. The fourth, sotrovimab, is a biological medicine, also known as a neutralising monoclonal antibody (nMAb). It may be given to people if antiviral medicines aren't suitable.
There is official information from the NHS and the government covering:
What to do if you have symptoms