Could it be Covid-19?

Some key symptoms of Covid-19 are:

• High temperature
• New and continuous cough – or a cough that’s worse than usual
• Loss or change to sense of smell and/or taste.

If an individual has any of these symptoms, they should be advised to get a PCR test to check if they have Covid-19 as soon as possible. They should self-isolate at home and not have any visitors until they get their test result – they should only leave home to have a test.

They should also tell the people they’ve been in close contact with over the previous 48 hours that they might have Covid-19 – if these individuals get symptoms, they should self-isolate and get a test as soon as possible, otherwise they only need to self-isolate if contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Anyone the individual lives with should also self-isolate straight away unless:

• They are fully vaccinated – this means 14 days have passed since their final dose of a Covid-19 vaccine given by the NHS
• They are under 18 years, six months old
• They are taking part or have taken part in a Covid-19 vaccine trial
• They are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Even if these household members do not have symptoms, they should:

• Get a PCR test to check if they have Covid-19
• Follow advice on how to avoid catching and spreading Covid-19
• Consider limiting contact with people who are at higher risk from Covid-19.

See the NHS website for the latest information and advice.