What to do if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test

The pandemic is not yet around, but the success of the vaccination programme indicates the vast majority of folks who grow to be contaminated with COVID-19 will no for a longer time develop into very seriously sick. Having said that, remaining vaccinated does not make you immune to an infection or avert you from passing infection on.

Finding out to are living with COVID depends on us all using reasonable actions to enable stop the unfold of the virus and other respiratory bacterial infections, which in convert will aid to protect these who are most susceptible.

Though legal necessities all over COVID-19 steps have been lifted, you are strongly encouraged to observe this public overall health advice so we can all take pleasure in our regained freedoms safely.

Suggestions for adults aged over 18 with signs or symptoms of respiratory bacterial infections including COVID-19

If you have indicators of a respiratory an infection these kinds of as COVID-19 , and you have a large temperature or sense unwell, you ought to try to stay at property and prevent call with some others right up until you no lengthier have a significant temperature (if you had just one) or right up until you no longer experience unwell.

Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and typical respiratory bacterial infections involve:

• continuous cough
• substantial temperature, fever or chills
• loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or scent
• shortness of breath
• unexplained tiredness, deficiency of electricity
• muscle aches or pains that are not thanks to exercise
• not wanting to consume or not emotion hungry
• headache that is uncommon or for a longer period long lasting than normal
• sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
• diarrhoea, sensation sick or becoming unwell

If you have any of these signs or symptoms, it is specifically essential to steer clear of shut get hold of with any person you know who is at higher threat of getting to be severely unwell if they had been to create infection particularly individuals whose immune program means that they are at higher chance of major disease, in spite of vaccination

If possible, try out to function from residence if you can. If you are unable to function from home, speak to your employer about options out there to you. Although you experience unwell, you might want to question spouse and children, buddies or neighbours to get food items and other necessities for you. If you do want to depart residence whilst unwell, make guaranteed to just take the adhering to precautions: use a encounter masking or surgical facial area mask, stay away from crowded or enclosed spaces and cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Wash your arms routinely.

Steps for grownups aged around 18 with a optimistic COVID-19 check

Widespread testing is no longer out there, even though some men and women will keep on to exam owing to workplace necessities or to control hazard to other persons. If you do have a good examination result, you should try and remain at house and stay clear of get hold of with other people for 5 days soon after the working day you took a exam. You should really also keep away from meeting people who at better risk of starting to be significantly unwell from COVID-19 for 10 days following the day you took a test to make guaranteed that you are no more time infectious.

If you have to leave your residence even though emotion unwell or in the 5-working day period following a optimistic check, you need to have on a confront covering steer clear of crowded places such as community transportation, big social gatherings and enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces work out outdoors and absent from many others and generally recall superior hand and respiratory hygiene.

Information for shut contacts

People who stay in the same domestic as an individual with a optimistic COVID-19 test are most at hazard of becoming infected, as they are probably to have prolonged contact with the infectious human being.

It can acquire up to 10 times for infection to create in near contacts, and all through that period you should really, prevent contact with men and women you know are at increased possibility of getting severely unwell and restrict shut call with folks outside your house, primarily in crowded spaces.

If you produce signs and symptoms all through this period of time, you must abide by direction for individuals with signs and symptoms.

Assistance for youngsters and younger people today aged 18 and young

Respiratory bacterial infections are frequent in youngsters and young people but we know they are at a reduce possibility from COVID-19 an infection, in comparison to the broader harms of skipped or disrupted education.

Given the importance of education and learning, small children and younger people should continue to show up at their nursery, college, university or university if they have moderate respiratory indicators. Only if they are unwell or have a high temperature should they keep at dwelling. They must avoid speak to with other people until eventually they sense well ample or no extended have a temperature.

COVID-19 testing is no more time advisable for small children and youthful people today aged 18 years and young except if directed by a health and fitness skilled. If they do check optimistic for COVID-19 they should really try and stay clear of contact with others for 3 days after the day they took a check. Following 3 times, they can resume ordinary actions, together with returning to training, furnished they really feel properly and do not have a high temperature. It is also recommended that young children and younger men and women who dwell with an individual who has tested constructive for COVID-19 continue on to attend their education location as common.

For additional facts see our advice: Folks with signs and symptoms of a respiratory an infection together with COVID-19