Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Coronavirus (COVID-19) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Coronavirus (COVID-19) British Sign Language (BSL) Coronavirus, and other respiratory infections such as flu, can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people. Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from coronavirus. But theres still a chance you might catch coronavirus, or another respiratory infection, and pass it on to other people. Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test. To prevent the spread of infection, you should try to stay at home if youre unwell. You can still access testing if you have a health condition which means youre eligible for coronavirus treatments . Symptoms To prevent the spread of coronavirus, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection such as coronavirus and you: have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities Try to do this until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you feel better. Symptoms of coronavirus include: continuous cough high temperature, fever or chills loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell shortness of breath unexplained tiredness, lack of energy muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry headache thats unusual or longer lasting than usual sore throat, stuffy or runny nose diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick How to help your symptoms Do drink fluids like water to keep yourself hydrated get plenty of rest wear loose, comfortable clothing  dont try to make yourself too cold take over-the-counter medications like paracetamol  always follow the manufacturers instructions Antibiotics will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery. You might continue to have a cough or feel tired after your other symptoms have improved. This does not mean that youre still infectious. Phone 999 or to go A&E if: You or your child: seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think theres something seriously wrong  children and babies in particular can get unwell very quickly gets sudden chest pain is so breathless theyre unable to say short sentences when resting, or breathing suddenly gets worse  in babies their stomach may suck under their ribs starts coughing up blood collapses, faints, or has a seizure or fit for the first time has a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis Speak to your GP if: your symptoms worsen youre concerned about your symptoms you have symptoms that you can no longer manage at home youre worried about your child, especially if theyre under 2 years If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999. Its particularly important to get help if youre at increased risk of becoming more unwell from coronavirus such as if youre pregnant, aged 60 or over, or have a weakened immune system. Stay at home advice There are things you can do to reduce the spread of infection if you have symptoms, have tested positive, or are a close contact. If you arent eligible for testing and you have symptoms of a respiratory infection such as coronavirus and have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Try to do this until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you feel better. If you have a positive coronavirus test result, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test, or from the day your symptoms started (whichever was earlier). You should count the day after you took the test as day 1. If a child or young person aged 18 or under has a positive coronavirus test result, they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test or from the day their symptoms started (whichever was earliest), if they can. Children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults. If youve had a positive test result, and have completed 5 days of self-isolation Although many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days, some people may be infectious to other people for up to 10 days from the start of their infection. If you have a high temperature or still feel unwell after the 5 days, continue to try to stay at home. Try to stay at home until you: feel well enough to go back to normal activities no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) This will help reduce the risk of spreading the virus. You should avoid meeting people at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from coronavirus, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness from coronavirus for 10 days after the day you took your test. If youve received a positive test result and have been following the stay at home advice, you do not need to test after the 5 day period unless youve been advised to do so by a health professional. How to reduce the spread of infection Do work from home if you can  if you cant, talk to your employer about your options if youve been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, tell them about your symptoms or positive test ask friends, family or neighbours to get food and other essentials for you, if you wish tell people you have recently been in contact with that youre feeling unwell or have tested positive so they can be aware of symptoms keep your distance from the people you live with if you can ventilate rooms you have been in by opening windows and leaving them open for at least 10 minutes after you have left the room wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask if you do leave home or in shared areas in your home, especially if you live with someone with a weakened immune system regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and remote controls, and shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms if you do leave home, exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, and before you eat or handle food tell anyone who needs to come into your home that you have symptoms or have tested positive so they can protect themselves Dont do not have close contact with anyone who is at higher risk, especially individuals with a weakened immune system, if you can avoid it do not go to crowded places or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated if you do leave home do not touch your face with unwashed hands, if you can avoid it Children and young people aged 18 and under Respiratory infections are common in children and young people, particularly during the winter months. Symptoms can be caused by several respiratory infections including the common cold, coronavirus and RSV. For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious. Theyll soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids. Very few children and young people with respiratory infections become seriously unwell. When to stay at home Children and young people with mild symptoms who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and theyre well enough to attend. Its not recommended that children and young people are tested for coronavirus unless advised to by a healthcare professional. Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive coronavirus test result should continue to attend as normal. Financial Support The Self-Isolation Support Grant closed on 5 January 2023. Visit the Scottish Governments Cost of Living support to find out about other financial help available. Source: Scottish Government - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 01 March 2024 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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