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Coronavirus symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself? Covid symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself?
(10 days later)
The NHS lists three main symptoms of coronavirus, that people should be aware of and ready to act upon. There are three main symptoms of coronavirus. If you get just one of them, you should get a test.
What are the symptoms?What are the symptoms?
If you, or someone you live with, has any of these symptoms the advice is stay at home to stop the risk of giving coronavirus to others. Public Health England says about 85% of people with Covid will have at least one.
You should also have a test to confirm whether or not you have the virus. If you have any of these symptoms you should get a test as soon as possible and not leave home for any other reason.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of symptoms also includes chills, repeated shaking, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. Anyone you live with, or who is in your support bubble, should also self-isolate until the test result arrives.
And UK researchers think that vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps could be a sign of coronavirus infection in children. It takes five days on average from the moment you are infected to start showing the symptoms, but the World Health Organization says it can take up to 14 days.
It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, but some people will get them much later. The World Health Organization says it can take up to 14 days. If the test is positive, your whole household must all continue to follow self-isolation rules.
When do people need to go to hospital? Is Covid the same in everyone?
The majority of people with coronavirus will recover after rest and pain relief (such as paracetamol). No. The coronavirus can affect multiple organs and has several less common symptoms.
The main reason people need hospital treatment is difficulty breathing. Scientists using data on the health of four million people say Covid has six sub-types.
Doctors may scan the lungs to see how badly they are affected and give support, such as oxygen or ventilation, if needed. Symptoms include:
However, people should not go to A&E if they are concerned. In the UK, the NHS 111 website will guide you through what to do. And researchers think that vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps could be a sign of coronavirus infection in children.
If you are so breathless that you are unable to speak more than a few words you will be told to call 999, as this is a medical emergency. If I have a cough, is it definitely Covid?
If you become so ill that you've stopped doing all of your usual daily activities then it will advise speaking to a nurse by dialling NHS 111. Lots of other viruses have similar symptoms to Covid, including flu and other infections. This will be a particular problem over winter when these bugs are more common.
What happens in intensive care? Public Health England says just under half of people who have one of the three main Covid symptoms will not have it.
Intensive care units are specialist wards for people who are very ill. However, they should still get a test.
Coronavirus patients will get oxygen support, which can involve using a facemask or a tube in the nose. What should I do if I have Covid?
The most invasive way - for the most seriously ill patients - is ventilation where air, with increased levels of oxygen, is pushed into the lungs via a tube in the mouth, nose or through a small cut in the throat. If you have a positive test result you should self-isolate at home for at least 10 days from the time symptoms started.
What should I do if I have mild symptoms? You must stay away from other members of your household, who must self-isolate for at least 14 days.
Patients with mild symptoms should self-isolate at home for at least 10 days. Most people will have only mild symptoms, which can be managed with pain relief (like paracetamol), bed rest and plenty of fluids.
People are advised not to ring NHS 111 to report their symptoms unless they are worried. They should also not go to their GP, or A&E. You should not even go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Details for Scotland are to check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In Wales call NHS 111, and in Northern Ireland, call your GP. When should people go to hospital?
If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. If you are seriously unwell and you have a medical emergency you should call 999 - this includes feeling so breathless that you are cannot speak more than a few words.
The World Health Organization has also issued advice for the public. If you are concerned your symptoms are getting worse, use the NHS 111 website England, NHS Inform in Scotland or the equivalents in Wales and Northern Ireland.
The main reason people need hospital care is for difficulty breathing where they may be given oxygen.
The most seriously ill patients may require ventilation where the patient is sedated and air is pushed into their lungs.
Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
How do I protect myself?How do I protect myself?
The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water.The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water.
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, then your eyes, nose or mouth.Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, then your eyes, nose or mouth.
So, coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are important.So, coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are important.
People will be most infectious when they have symptoms, but some may spread the virus even before they are sick.People will be most infectious when they have symptoms, but some may spread the virus even before they are sick.
Face coverings are also becoming compulsory in many indoor settings across the UK. Face coverings are also compulsory in many indoor settings across the UK.
Follow James on Twitter.Follow James on Twitter.
This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience's questions about coronavirus. Details of how to get in touch are below.This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience's questions about coronavirus. Details of how to get in touch are below.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
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