Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus, and other respiratory infections like flu, can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people.
Symptoms of coronavirus
Symptoms of coronavirus include:
- a new continuous cough
- sneezing
- a blocked or runny nose
- a sore throat
- a headache
- muscle aches
- shortness of breath, tight chest or wheezing
- a high temperature (fever) – this is usually about 38°C or higher (100.4°F)
- feeling generally unwell
- feeling tired or have a lack of energy
Less common symptoms include:
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick or vomiting
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should:
- stay away from people at increased risk of becoming more unwell from respiratory infections, if possible
- not visit hospitals or care homes
You may still have a cough or feel tired after your other symptoms have gone. This doesn’t mean that you’re still infectious to others.
When to get medical advice
Immediate action required: Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
You or your child:
- have severe or sudden chest pain that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- collapse, faint, or have a seizure or fit for the first time
- feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- have lips or skin that are turning pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of the hands
- have blotchy or mottled skin
- have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it – use the glass test from meningitis now
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP practice if you:
- have symptoms that are not improving or you’re concerned about your symptoms
- are worried about your child
- have had a high temperature for more than 3 days
- have a temperature below 36°C
- have breathlessness which is not improving
- have had a cough for more than 3 weeks
- have symptoms that are not improving or they’re affecting your daily life
- have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition
- have a weakened immune system – for example, because you’re having chemotherapy
Treatment for coronavirus
Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test. You can still access testing if you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for coronavirus treatments.
Things you can do to help your symptoms
Most acute respiratory infections like coronavirus pass within 3 weeks. There are some things you can do to help relieve your symptoms until the infection clears up.
Do
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- eat healthily
- take over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with high temperature and aches
- use decongestant sprays or tablets to relieve a blocked nose
- use extra pillows to raise your head while sleeping to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
- try remedies such as gargling salt water and sucking on menthol sweets
Don't
- do not smoke – this can make your symptoms worse
- do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time
- do not give aspirin to children under 16
Antibiotics will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
It’s important to get help if you’re at increased risk of becoming more unwell from coronavirus. This includes if you’re pregnant, aged 60 or over, or have a weakened immune system.
Coronavirus self-help guide
Advice for people who may have coronavirus symptoms.
Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.
Self-help guide
How to reduce the spread of infection if you have symptoms
There are things you can do to reduce the spread of coronavirus infection.
Do
- cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, and before you eat or handle food
- regularly clean surfaces that you use often, like door handles and remote controls, and shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms
- ventilate rooms you have been in by opening windows
- stay at home until you no longer have a fever (if you had one) and don’t need medicine to lower your fever
- if you have been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, tell them about your symptoms before attending
- let people you’ve recently been in contact with know that you’re feeling unwell, so they can watch for symptoms, especially if they’re at higher risk of getting ill from a respiratory infection
- tell anyone who needs to come into your home that you have respiratory symptoms
- wear a face mask or face covering if you need to leave your home whilst unwell
- try to avoid busy or crowded spaces with poor ventilation
Don't
- do not have close contact with anyone who is at increased risk of becoming more unwell from coronavirus, especially individuals with a weakened immune system, if you can
Children and young people aged 18 and under
Respiratory infections are common in children and young people, especially during the winter months. Symptoms can be caused by respiratory infections, including the common cold and coronavirus.
Children and young people with mild symptoms can continue to attend their education setting. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough.
If a child or young person aged 18 or under tests positive or has respiratory symptoms, they should stay at home. When they no longer have a fever (if they had one), and don’t need medicine to control the fever, they can return to normal activities. There’s no specific time limit they need to avoid contact with others. You can use 48 hours as a rough guide.
Children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults.
For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious. They’ll soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.
Very few children and young people with respiratory infections become seriously unwell.
Children and young people should continue to attend their education setting, even if the person they live with has a positive test result.
How to prevent coronavirus
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself from developing serious illness. Vaccines available on the NHS include:
- flu vaccine
- coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
- RSV vaccine for adults aged 75 to 79
- RSV vaccine during pregnancy
- child flu vaccine
Further information about NHS vaccinations
Visiting care homes
People living in care homes can still have visitors during an outbreak, but certain things will work differently.
Get advice about visiting care homes when there’s an outbreak
Financial Support
The Self-Isolation Support Grant closed on 5 January 2023. Visit the Scottish Government’s Cost of Living support to find out about other financial help available.