What to do if you catch COVID-19 now

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• get vaccinated, to avoid becoming seriously ill
• wash hands regularly 
• wear a face covering in busy places 
• cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze
• If you feel unwell avoid contact with others and stay home if you can

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults and children 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.

Children and young people aged 18 and under can get coronavirus (COVID-19), but it’s usually a mild illness and most get better in a few days.

What to do if you have symptoms:

Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and either:

• you have a high temperature
• you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities

What to do if your child has symptoms:

Your child should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and they either:

• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to go to school, college or childcare, or do their normal activities

They can go back to school, college or childcare when they 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, college or childcare.

How to treat symptoms at home: 

• get lots of rest
• drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
• If you have a cough, it’s best to avoid lying on your back. Lie on your side or sit upright instead.
• To help ease a cough, try having a teaspoon of honey. But do not give honey to babies under 12 months.
• If you feel breathless keep windows open, sit up right, don’t hunch shoulders. 
• leaning forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair, can also help if feeling breathless. 

What to do if you are worried:

Do not delay getting help if you’re worried. If you feel more and more unwell, very weak, breathless, are unable to take basic care of yourself, or have any other symptoms that concern you be sure to seek help right away.

If you are concerned about your or someone you care for symptoms, call NHS 111 or your GP for advice. Visiting NHS111 Covid symptom checker can tell you where to get help if you need it.

Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if:

• you’re so breathless that you’re unable to say short sentences when resting
• your breathing has got suddenly worse
• you cough up blood
• you feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
• you have a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it
• you collapse or faint
• you feel agitated, confused or very drowsy
• you’ve stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual

Find your nearest A&E

What about NHS Covid-19 tests?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests are no longer required or free for most people. 

Some people can still get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS. PCR tests (tests that go to a lab) are less likely to be used. You can get tests if:

• you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatments
• you’re going into hospital
• you work in the NHS or in adult social care

Visit COVID tests 

Mental Health support

Felling ill, worried and isolating from others can all leave us feeling low. It is important to look after your mental health, as well as your physical health.

Visit :

Mental wellbeing – Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

or 

Halton Mental Health Information Point 

for tips and support services.