Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), a new illness that affects your lungs and airways.
Check if you have coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are usually mild, but some people can become very unwell.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this 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 (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.
Urgent advice:Use the 111 online coronavirus service if you have any of:
- high temperature
- new, continuous cough
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
111 will tell you what to do and help you get a test if you need one.
Call 111 if you cannot get help online. Do not go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
Babies and children
Call 111 if you’re worried about a baby or child under 5.
If your child seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think there’s something seriously wrong, call 999.
Do not delay getting help if you’re worried. Trust your instincts.
Get more advice about coronavirus in children.
Staying at home if you have symptoms (self-isolation)
If your symptoms are mild, NHS 111 will usually advise you and anyone you live with not to leave your home. This is called self-isolation.
- Anyone with symptoms should self-isolate for 7 days from when their symptoms started.
- Anyone who does not have symptoms should self-isolate for 14 days from when the first person in your home started having symptoms.
Read more about self-isolation if you have symptoms of coronavirus.
