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How to look after COVID-19 symptoms yourself

How to look after COVID-19 symptoms yourself

It’s not always possible to treat COVID-19. But there are things you can do to help ease some of the symptoms, such as a high temperature, a cough and breathlessness.


Do

  • get lots of rest
  • drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
  • try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough – do not give honey to babies under 12 months
  • try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness
  • breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle
  • sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness
  • relax your shoulders, so you're not hunched to help with breathlessness
  • lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness


Don’t

  • do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead
  • do not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus 
  • try not to panic if you're feeling breathless – this can make it worse
Long COVID
COVID-19 symptoms and what to do Symptoms of COVID-19 COVID-19 symptoms can include: a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath feeling tired or exhausted an aching body a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer. What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either: have a high temperature do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare. Information: If you are eligible for treatments for COVID-19, you should take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as you get symptoms.