Coronavirus Symptoms

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and a dry cough.

Some people also experience a sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, aches and pains, or diarrhoea.

Normally, our body temperature is between 36–37 degrees Celsius. Any temperature over 38 is classified as a fever, and so that is something to keep an eye on.

Symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. They typically appear three to four days after exposure to the virus, but sometimes up to 14 days later.

However, some people become infected but don't develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell.

About 80 per cent of people who get COVID-19 will recover without needing special treatment.

But one in six will become seriously ill and develop breathing difficulties.

Older people and those with underlying health problems such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

Watch for symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe. It takes 2-14 days after exposure for symptoms to develop. Symptoms may include:

fever (The Centers for Disease Control considers a person to have a fever when he or she has a measured temperature of at least 100.4 °F [38 °C])

cough

shortness of breath

Those with weakened immune systems may develop more serious symptoms, like pneumonia or bronchitis. You may never develop symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19. So far, most confirmed cases are in adults, but some children have been infected. There is no evidence that children are at greater risk for getting the virus.

How coronavirus is spread

Coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets.

You could get the virus if you:

come into close contact with someone who has the virus and is coughing or sneezing

touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on

As it's a new illness, we do not know how easily the virus spreads from person to person. Spread is most likely from those who have symptoms.

The virus may only survive a few hours if someone who has it coughs or sneezes on a surface. Simple household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces. Clean the surface first and then use a disinfectant.

How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus (social distancing)

Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.

DO

wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

always wash your hands when you get home or into work

use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus

only travel on public transport if you need to

work from home, if you can

avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas

avoid events with large groups of people

Don't

do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family