Coronavirus Resource Center

Overview

Coronavirus disease, usually called COVID-19, is an infection caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It mainly affects your breathing passages and lungs, but it can also cause problems elsewhere in the body. Most people get mild illness and recover at home within one to two weeks. Some people, especially those with other health conditions or weakened immune systems, can become seriously unwell and need hospital care. Because the virus changes over time, new variants appear, and guidance is updated regularly. This article gives general information only — always check the latest advice from your local health service.

Yes. COVID-19 has spread widely around the world since 2020, and the virus is still circulating. Most people have had it at least once, and many have had it more than once. It now behaves more like other common respiratory (breathing) infections, with waves of illness at different times of year.

Anyone can catch COVID-19, at any age. Risk of serious illness is higher for older adults, people who are pregnant, people with weakened immune systems, and people with conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease or obesity. Babies and young children can get it too, but they are usually only mildly unwell. People who are up to date with recommended vaccinations are less likely to become seriously ill.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A new, continuous cough
• A high temperature or feeling shivery
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose, sneezing
• Tiredness or feeling very drained
• Headache
• Muscle aches and general discomfort
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Loss or change in your sense of smell or taste
• Feeling sick, being sick, or loose stools
• Aching or a general feeling of being unwell

Symptoms in children

• Often mild — many children have no symptoms at all
• High temperature
• Runny nose, sore throat and cough
• Tiredness and being irritable or unsettled
• Loose stools or being sick
• Rarely, a red or sore skin rash, or unusual swelling of fingers or toes
• Rarely, a serious inflammatory reaction a few weeks after infection — this needs urgent medical help (see emergency signs below)

Symptoms in older adults

• Symptoms may be less obvious — for example, confusion or new falls rather than a cough
• Tiredness, poor appetite and general weakness
• Shortness of breath that gets worse over a few days
• A high temperature may be absent, so normal temperature does not rule it out
• Higher risk of dehydration and worsening of existing long-term conditions
• Higher risk of severe illness, so early advice from a healthcare professional is wise

Causes

Main causes

• Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads from person to person
• Breathing in tiny virus particles in the air, especially in crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces
• Close physical contact with someone who is infected, for example hugging or sharing food
• Touching surfaces with virus on them and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth (this is a less common route)

Risk factors

• Being close to someone with COVID-19, especially without protection
• Being in crowded indoor places with poor airflow
• Being older, especially over 70
• Having a weakened immune system, or taking medicines that suppress it
• Long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney or liver disease
• Being very overweight
• Being pregnant
• Living in a care home or other shared living setting
• Smoking
• Not being up to date with recommended vaccinations

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You feel short of breath, or breathing feels harder than usual
• Your temperature stays high for more than 5 days, or you are getting worse instead of better
• You cannot keep fluids down, or you are passing much less urine than usual
• You have a condition that makes serious illness more likely (for example a weakened immune system, pregnancy, or a long-term condition such as heart or lung disease) and you develop symptoms
• Your child is not feeding or drinking, is unusually sleepy, or is breathing quickly or with effort

Book a routine appointment if:

• Symptoms have lasted more than 4 weeks and are not improving
• You are still very tired or short of breath weeks after the infection started
• You would like advice about vaccination, testing or whether it is safe to return to work, school or caring duties
• You are planning travel or a stay in hospital and want to know about current local guidance
• You feel anxious or low about your health or recovery

Diagnosis

COVID-19 can often be suspected from your symptoms and from whether the virus is spreading in your area. Testing is used to confirm it. In many places, rapid tests you do at home (lateral flow tests) are available, and laboratory tests are used in hospitals or for people at higher risk. A healthcare professional may ask about your symptoms, your contacts and your medical history, and may check your breathing, oxygen level and temperature.

Tests that may be done

• A swab test of the nose and throat, either a rapid self-test or a laboratory test
• A breathing check with a small device on your finger called a pulse oximeter, which measures oxygen in your blood
• In hospital: blood tests and a chest X-ray if breathing problems are serious
• Tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as flu or a chest infection

What to expect at your appointment

If you have mild symptoms, you can usually care for yourself at home. You may be advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids and keep away from others while you are infectious, in line with your local guidance. You should watch your own symptoms, and if you have a pulse oximeter, follow the instructions given by your health service. If you are at higher risk of serious illness, you may be contacted by your care team about monitoring or early treatment options. If your breathing worsens or you feel very unwell, seek medical help promptly.

Treatment

Most people recover from COVID-19 with rest at home and do not need special medicine. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms, keeping you hydrated and comfortable, and watching for signs that you need more help. People who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell may be offered specific treatments by their healthcare team, usually given early in the illness. If you become seriously ill, hospital care can include oxygen and close monitoring.

Self-care at home

• Rest — go back to activity slowly, and do not rush your recovery
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• Take paracetamol or similar over-the-counter pain and fever relief if suitable for you — ask your pharmacist for advice
• Keep your room ventilated and avoid close contact with others while you are likely to be infectious
• Sit upright, use extra pillows, and try steam from a warm shower to ease a cough
• Honey in warm water can soothe a cough for adults and children over one year old
• Sleep well, and pace yourself — short bursts of activity with rests in between
• Follow your local health service's guidance on how long to stay away from work, school and other people

Medical treatments

Doctors treat COVID-19 based on how unwell you are and your risk factors. For mild illness, advice is mainly supportive: rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies to ease fever and aches. People at higher risk of serious illness may be assessed for specific antiviral treatments or antibody-based treatments offered by their local health service; these work best when started early, so contact your care team quickly if you are eligible. In hospital, treatment can include oxygen, fluids, monitoring, and medicines to reduce inflammation or fight the virus. Steroids are used in some seriously ill patients. Because treatments and eligibility change over time, your doctor will advise what is right for you. Never take leftover or another person's medicine.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used to treat COVID-19 itself. Occasionally, people who develop rare complications may need surgical care, but this is uncommon.

Living with this condition

While you are unwell, keep things simple: rest, drink regularly, and let others help if they can. Once you start to feel better, increase activity gradually rather than all at once. Some people find that tiredness, a cough or breathlessness lasts for weeks or months — this is sometimes called long COVID. If that happens, keep a gentle routine, plan rest breaks, and ask your doctor about local recovery and rehabilitation services. Returning to work or caring duties may need to be phased.

Lifestyle tips

• Pace yourself — alternate activity with rest, and set small, realistic goals
• Keep up good ventilation at home and at work
• Stay up to date with recommended vaccinations
• Wash your hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes
• Stay home when you are unwell if local guidance advises it
• Avoid smoking, and keep alcohol within recommended limits
• Keep in touch with friends and family — social contact supports recovery
• Keep routine appointments for any long-term conditions

Diet and exercise

Eat regular, balanced meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and drink water throughout the day, especially if you have a fever. When you feel ready, start with gentle movement such as short walks, stretching or light housework, and build up slowly over days or weeks. Stop if you feel breathless, dizzy or exhausted, and rest. Avoid vigorous exercise until you feel fully recovered; if you have heart or lung problems, ask your doctor before returning to intense activity.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Feeling worried, low, lonely or anxious during or after an infection is very common. Being unwell can disrupt sleep, work and social life, and news about the virus can add to stress. These feelings usually ease, but tell your doctor if they persist or affect daily life. If you feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support line in your country right away — help is available and you deserve support.

Prevention

You cannot remove all risk, but you can greatly lower it. Vaccination, good ventilation, hand hygiene, and staying away from others when unwell all reduce the chance of catching or spreading the virus. Wearing a face covering in crowded places can help, particularly if you are at higher risk or during a local surge. Follow the current guidance from your local health service, as recommendations change with the seasons and variants.

Vaccines

Vaccines against COVID-19 are widely available and are usually recommended for adults and many children, depending on your country's programme. They are especially important for older adults, pregnant women, carers, health workers, and people with long-term conditions or weakened immune systems. Protection fades over time and the virus changes, so booster doses are offered periodically to eligible groups. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as a sore arm, tiredness or a mild fever. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist whether a vaccination is recommended for you now.

Complications

If left untreated

• Breathing problems and low oxygen levels, which may need hospital care
• Pneumonia (a lung infection) and in severe cases lung damage
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Problems with the heart, kidneys or other organs, especially in people already unwell
• Long-lasting symptoms such as tiredness, breathlessness and difficulty concentrating, sometimes called long COVID
• In children, a rare inflammatory reaction a few weeks after infection that needs urgent medical care

Long-term outlook

The great majority of people recover fully from COVID-19, usually within a couple of weeks. Some people take longer, and a smaller number have symptoms that last months; most of these improve gradually with time and support. Vaccination and early advice for people at higher risk make serious illness much less likely. If you are worried at any point, reach out to your healthcare team — you do not have to manage alone.

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