Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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COVID-19 symptoms

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 you should stay at home until your symptoms subside and you feel well with no fever.

List of symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

sore throat
runny or blocked nose
sneezing
a new, continuous or persistent cough (this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours)
a headache
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)
feeling tired or exhausted
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
sudden confusion (delirium)
a skin rash
changes in the mouth or tongue
red and sore fingers or toes
shortness of breath
chest pains
muscle pains
diarrhoea
loss of appetite
abdominal pains

The symptoms listed are from both NHS and the ZOE Health Study.

LFT tests are available to purchase online, in pharmacies and most supermarkets for optional diagnostic home testing.f your LFT is positive, you should try to stay at home until you feel well with no fever, and you should avoid contact with people who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system for 10 days after the day you took your test.

Ongoing symptoms or long COVID

Most people infected with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate viral illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, for some people, COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last more than 4 weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or long COVID.

Long COVID

People at increased risk from COVID-19

If you have a weakened immune system (are immunosuppressed) you may be at additional risk. Your immune system may be weakened due to:

a health condition
because you are on medication
undergoing treatment that is suppressing your immune system

Most people who are immunosuppressed will be under the care of a specialist clinician at the hospital.

Advice for people at increased risk from COVID-19

Due to the risks associated with being immunosuppressed, or having a specific medical condition, you should keep yourself protected from COVID-19 and becoming seriously unwell:

talk to your GP or specialist clinician and follow any advice provided.
get vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu; make sure you have had all of the vaccines you can receive, including boosters
ensure you have a supply of LFTs available at home
if you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay at home and take a LFT test; make sure you seek medical advice at an early stage
keep the air fresh by opening windows and doors
consider additional precautions

Vaccination

The best protection you can give yourself is to keep up to date with your vaccines.

It provides the most effective way of preventing you from become seriously unwell or going into hospital. Your family members are encouraged to make sure they are up to date too.

COVID-19 symptoms and antiviral treatment

If you develop any coronavirus symptoms, even if they are mild, you should stay at home and consider taking an LFT.

LFTs are available to purchase online and from pharmacies and most supermarkets.

If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19, you should contact your GP, who will assess you and confirm if you are eligible for antiviral treatment. If you are eligible, you should start taking the antivirals as soon as possible after you have tested positive and within 5 days of starting to show symptoms.

If you test negative for COVID-19 but continue to have symptoms or become more unwell, you should still contact your GP for assessment, which may include a rapid COVID PCR test.

Most people who can have antiviral treatment will be under the care of a specialist clinician at the hospital.

Who can get antiviral treatment

You may be eligible for antiviral medication if you have:

symptoms of COVID-19
a positive LFT or PCR test, and
are aged 12 years or over, and
one of the following:

are a person with Down Syndrome
have a rare condition affecting the brain or nerves (including multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Huntington's disease, or myasthenia gravis)
have sickle cell disease
have certain types of cancer
have HIV or AIDS
have a severe liver condition (such as cirrhosis)
have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5
have had an organ transplant
have certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
have a condition or treatment that makes you more likely to get infections
have had certain types of chemotherapy in the last 12 months
have had radiotherapy in the last 6 months

Due to the risks associated with being immunosuppressed, or having a specific medical condition, you should take extra precautions to keep yourself protected from COVID-19 and becoming seriously unwell.

What antiviral treatments are available

The antiviral treatments used in Jersey are called Paxlovid and Molnupiravir.

Paxlovid is a combination of 2 medicines called nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir works by preventing the virus from multiplying and keeping virus levels low in your body. This helps your body's immune system control the infection and reduces the risk of severe symptoms.

Ritonavir does not work on the virus itself. It helps keep nirmatrelvir from being broken down in your body long enough for it to do its job.

Molnupiravir stops the COVID-19 virus from growing and spreading. It works by preventing the virus from multiplying and keeping virus levels in your body low. This helps your body's immune system control infection and reduces the risk of severe symptoms.

COVID-19 treatments do not replace vaccinations, vaccination is still the best protection against a future COVID-19 infection.

Additional precautions

If you are more clinically vulnerable you may want to consider additional precautions to keep yourself protected, such as:

ask friends and family to stay away if they are unwell
ask people visiting your home to wear face coverings
wearing a mask in enclosed crowded spaces
wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face

Islanders who are immunosuppressed may also want to consider some extra precautions, such as:

work from home if you can; if you cannot work from home, speak to your employer about what arrangements they can make to reduce your risk
practice physical distancing if that feels right for you and your friends
avoid enclosed crowded spaces and activities where physical distancing is difficult

Children and young people should attend their school unless their clinician has advised otherwise.

Advice for businesses and employers

This information is for employers and people who are managing organisations and applies to both paid staff and volunteers.

This information will help you to understand how to reduce the spread of respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and flu in the workplace. This is especially important if there are people in the workplace whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

It is important that as a business or an employer you continue to comply with your legal obligations relating to health and safety, employment and equality duties.

Actions to reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19

Support staff to stay at home if unwell

It is advised that staff stay at home if feeling unwell. Employers should encourage and support their staff to do so, to help reduce the spread of all illnesses, not just COVID-19. If anyone has respiratory symptoms they should stay at home until they feel well with no fever.

COVID-19 symptoms

Let fresh air in

Bringing in fresh air to occupied spaces can help to reduce the concentration of respiratory particles, lowering the risk of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses.

Ventilation in the workplace

Maintain a clean workplace

Keeping workplaces clean reduces the risk of infection and can reduce sickness in a workforce. It's especially important to clean surfaces that people touch a lot. Staff can be supported to maintain a clean working environment by providing them with cleaning products, soap and hot water, and/or sanitiser.

Ventilation guidance

Ventilation guidance for your home

Improving ventilation

This guidance is for households across Jersey to encourage good ventilation to help improve the health and wellbeing of Islanders.

Ventilation is the provision of fresh, clean air to a room or building.

Infectious diseases can be spread by breathing in airborne particles and aerosols. By improving ventilation, we can help to reduce transmission.

The benefits of good ventilation:

brings in fresh, clean air
can reduce the spread of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, influenza, tuberculosis, and rhinovirus (cause of the common cold)
helps with condensation which may lead to mould and damp
helps get rid of moisture, smoke, cooking odours, and other pollutants
can improve health, better concentration, lower rates of absence from work and a better quality of sleep

Improving Ventilation in Your Home on CDC

Ventilation at home

Opening windows and doors at home is the simplest way of improving ventilation. Bringing fresh, outdoor air into your home helps keep virus particles from building up inside.

If it is safe to do, open doors and windows to bring in fresh air:

in colder weather, open higher, top opening windows. A top opening window will help incoming fresh air warm up as it mixes with room air, reducing cold draughts
opening windows and doors at opposite sides of your room or home will provide a flow of fresh air
windows do not need to be open all the time, by opening a door or window for short burst helps remove stale air that may contain virus particles
check whether trickle vents (small vents on a window) or grilles are open and not blocked. Air flows in from these vents and will mix with warm room air which can help keep the room a comfortable temperature
if opening windows or doors is unsafe, consider other options for reducing virus particles in the air, such as using air filtration and using bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
when opening windows and doors think about safety and security, for example, do not prop open fire doors or leave them open when you go out
ventilating your home does not mean getting cold. You should keep the room temperature at 18°C and above

Staying warm at home

Extra support for customers on Jersey Electricity

Ventilation at home when someone is unwell

If someone is unwell with a respiratory infection keep a window slightly open in their room and the door closed.

If they use a shared space such as the kitchen or living area while other people are there, keep the spaces well ventilated by opening windows fully during their use and for at least 10 minutes after they have left.

Ventilation to reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19 on GOV.UK

Mechanical ventilation in the home

If your home has a mechanical ventilation system, make sure this is working and maintained in line with manufacturers' instructions. Just recirculating indoor air will not remove airborne viruses.

Some people may wish to consider portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners to help improve indoor air quality. Check that the portable air cleaner has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is large enough for the size of the room where you will use it. Filters need regular replacement, if filters are dirty, they won't work properly. Note that no air cleaner or filter will remove all of the air pollutants in your home.

Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home on epa.gov

Ventilation guidance for the workplace

To help keep everyone safe we are encouraging and improving ventilation forms part of the wider approach to help reduce the spread of:

COVID-19
flu
other seasonal viruses

This guidance is for workplaces across Jersey to encourage good ventilation to help improve the health and wellbeing of Islanders.

Ventilation is the provision of fresh, clean air to a room or building.

Infectious diseases like COVID-19 can spread through the inhalation of airborne particles and aerosols and by improving ventilation we can help to reduce transmission.

Research shows changing the air in a room multiple times an hour with filtered or clean outdoor air can reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other airborne respiratory diseases.

Spread Warmth workplace ventilation leaflet

Spread Warmth workplace ventilation poster

Guidance for improving ventilation in the workplace (summary)

Guidance for improving ventilation in the workplace (full version)

Types of ventilation

Type of ventilation	Description
Natural ventilation	Natural ventilation can be improved by opening windows, air vents and doors.
Airing rooms	This can improve poor ventilation as a temporary measure by opening doors and windows to maximise ventilation. If it is too cold for people, bring in air when they are on a break, as just 10 minutes an hour can help increase the amount of fresh air.
Mechanical ventilation	Mechanical ventilation brings fresh air into a building from outside using ducts and fans. This may be costly, requires energy to operate and should be properly maintained.
Recirculated air	Recirculated air should be filtered to remove particulates and should have fresh air added to it before being reintroduced into the workplace.
Air filtration	Air filtration uses high-quality air filters like high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) to remove virus particles from indoor air. Filtration is helpful to supplement ventilation or to use if adequate ventilation is not possible. This is a useful supplement to vulnerable sites.
Air disinfection	Inactivating an airborne virus through ultraviolet germicidal irradiation systems, for example, can add another layer of protection in indoor spaces and can be useful in crowded areas with poor airflow, in healthcare settings with vulnerable populations or in indoor crowded spaces.

Why we need good ventilation

Good ventilation:

reduces air contaminants
expels carbon dioxide (CO2)
draws in fresh air
helps control temperature and humidity
can reduce the spread of respiratory infections

Improved ventilation can also help reduce condensation. Condensation can lead to mould and damp conditions which then can cause other health issues such as allergies and respiratory problems.

Good ventilation can help get rid of moisture, smoke, cooking odours, and other pollutants. Good ventilation is associated with:

improved health
better concentration and decision making
lower rates of absence from work
better quality of sleep

Poor indoor air quality effects can include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. It can also contribute to longer-term health problems such as asthma, heart disease and cancer.

Infectious diseases like COVID-19 can spread through the inhalation of airborne particles and aerosols. Poor ventilation in confined indoor spaces is associated with the increased transmission of respiratory tract infections such as COVID-19, influenza, tuberculosis, and rhinovirus infection (cause of the common cold).

Improving ventilation to lower the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections

There is evidence that the transmission of COVID-19 is mainly via aerial transmission, particularly in indoor buildings with poor ventilation.

Filtration and air cleaning devices such as high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and UV (Ultraviolet), filter pollutants and contaminants from the air. These are helpful where natural ventilation is limited, for example, rooms without windows or when ambient temperatures are affected.

Good ventilation, along with other measures to control infection such as vaccination, symptom awareness and additional measures in vulnerable settings can help reduce COVID-19 transmission. These additional measures may also be applicable to other infections.

In preparedness for future waves of infection, utilising effective measures to improve ventilation forms part of a wider strategy helping to reduce the harm from COVID-19 in our community.

Ventilation and the law

In the workplace, ventilation can be used to control airborne contaminants and removes contaminants such as fumes and dusts for a healthy and safe working environment.

Part 2 of the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989, requires employers to provide and maintain a working environment which is safe, without risks to health, and has adequate facilities and arrangements to ensure the welfare of the employees.

Workplaces should be adequately ventilated so that stale, hot or humid air is replaced at a reasonable rate by fresh or purified air. Windows or other openings normally provide sufficient ventilation, but where necessary mechanical ventilation systems should be installed and maintained.

For further information see Health and Safety in the Workplace.

For ventilation guidance in the Technical Guidance Document (requirements of Part 5 of Schedule 2 to the building bye-laws (Jersey) 2007 as amended).

Ventilation and energy costs

Both heating and ventilation can use increased amounts of energy, but there may be ways to even up energy costs to gain the health benefits of good ventilation. These may include looking at:

energy recovery ventilation systems which transfer the temperature and humidity from exhausted conditioned air to incoming fresh air, which can conserve energy
demand-controlled ventilation have CO2 sensors to calculate optimal airflow and adjust the ventilation
variable-speed compressors can control airflow and temperature with less energy

Ventilated workplaces are more comfortable, healthier, and more productive places to work, therefore businesses should balance reducing energy use and emissions with the need to provide workplaces that are appropriately ventilated for their purpose.

The cost of not ventilating appropriately can have a negative impact on operating costs by impairing employee performance, as the cost of running and staffing the business is usually the most significant. Over a ventilation system life of 10 to 15 years, a 1 percent reduction in productivity could significantly exceed any savings made on the design and installation costs of the system.

Top tips for ventilation in buildings on CIBSE.

Poorly ventilated workspaces may have higher sickness absence due to the potential for more cases of respiratory infections. It is important to ensure that buildings are ventilated to provide a healthy environment for people.

Saving energy in the workplace on Jersey Electricity.

Key guidance for improving ventilation

Understand your building and make a plan to improve ventilation:

A number of factors and considerations need to be taken into account when determining the appropriate measures for each individual building:

current public health guidance
size and location of the building
number of people occupying the space
who the occupants are
outdoor air quality
climate and weather conditions
available Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment

Maximise ventilation:

opening windows and doors to increase the air flow when weather permits. In colder weather open higher and top opening windows or open windows for just short bursts to bring in fresh air. Do not prop open fire doors. Hold open devices may enable fire doors to be opened safely
reduce the number of occupants in a room if possible
use fans to increase the effectiveness of opened windows, creating directional airflow, 'always on' low noise fans can further improve air flow in damp rooms. This is not applicable in high-risk settings such as hospitals and care homes
open trickle vents and do not block air vents
check exhaust fans are functional, in toilets and kitchens for example. Consider leaving them on longer or installing an 'always on' fan
avoid recirculation and transfer of air from one room to another where possible
avoid the use of rooms which cannot be ventilated and use outdoor spaces where possible

Planning and information sharing:

inspect ventilation systems based on the manufacturers guidance
review COVID-19 workplace risk assessments. Find general guidance on risk assessments
ensure regular maintenance of systems and equipment
ensure employees have information regarding why ventilation is important, instructions for use for any vents and systems and know the agreed routine for opening and closing doors and windows
ensure that fire safety, security and health and safety leads are well briefed in order to coordinate consistent messages to employees around guidance and procedures for good ventilation

Supplementary measures:

consider CO2 monitors. If used properly, CO2 monitors can help you understand whether the ventilation is adequate or needs improving
consider fitting Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) systems
some workplaces may wish to consider the use of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) which uses ultraviolet energy to kill viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms. These could be useful in more high-risk indoor settings

Appendix 1: A 4 stage plan for improving indoor air quality

The 4 stages below have been adapted from clean air in buildings challenge on EPA.

Stage 1

Create an action plan for clean air in your building:

understand where there may be poorly ventilated spaces. Ensure that you know how clean outdoor air is brought into the building and distributed
determine how much clean air is required. Implement indoor air quality assessments and look at carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors as needed. If used properly, CO2 monitors can help you understand whether the ventilation is adequate or needs improving. Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) CO2 monitors are reasonable in price to purchase. (CO2 monitors may only be effective in certain workspaces)
where fitted, work with a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) competent person to assess and inspect systems for ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning. Confirm through testing they are functioning as designed
ventilation systems, plant and equipment only work efficiently and as designed with a suitable programme of pre-planned maintenance
ensure a plan is in place for regular inspections and maintenance (based on the manufacturers guidance)
support the people who operate or help with building ventilation and air distribution systems by providing education and training
reduce the number of individuals within a room or building, this could be via home working where this is practical

Stage 2

Optimise fresh air ventilation:

implement the action plan based on the assessment and equipment available within your building. Ensure outdoor air is clean or adequately filtered as it is brought into the building
ensure that extractor fans in bathrooms are fully functioning and run during occupied hours
increase volumes of clean outdoor air at times of higher risk
use natural ventilation, open windows and doors to enable cross ventilation to optimise natural airflow subject to the weather and occupant safety. In colder weather, open higher, top opening windows, or open windows for just short bursts to bring in fresh air. Do not prop open fire doors. Hold open devices can enable fire doors to be held open safely however must be instructed and installed by a competent person. It's not always possible to install a hold open device on every door set
consider moving to a better space in the building if there are ventilation issues or damp

Stage 3

Enhance air filtration and cleaning (for buildings with mechanical ventilation):

where fitted, run HVAC systems during all occupied hours to ensure clean air enters and is distributed throughout the building. Adjust HVAC settings while considering thermal comfort, weather conditions, outdoor air quality and energy use. Consider running HVAC systems to refresh air 1 to 2 hours prior and post occupancy
check HVAC systems have the highest available high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, that your system can accommodate. HEPA filters, when used within HVAC systems can remove more than 99 percent of particle matter when air passes through it
ensure filters are appropriately sized for the system
close off any gaps around air filters to minimise air flow around the filter rather than through it
filters should be changed regularly
6 air changes per hour is a good standard
use portable air cleaners where air flow and central filtration are insufficient (appropriate size for the space)
consider an upper-room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) system to clean the air if appropriate to your setting

Stage 4

Engage your staff and community with the action plan

communicate and educate effectively to your building occupants to increase awareness and ensure participation in improving indoor air quality
demonstrate the importance of individual actions to ensure optimal use of the systems in place to maximise good ventilation and improving indoor air quality. This can help reduce the spread of viruses like COVID-19
promote the health benefits, including reducing the spread of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, influenza, tuberculosis, and rhinovirus. It can also help better concentration and a better quality of sleep and lower rates of absence from work

Mask information

Information on mask wearing is provided for information only.

This guide is to help make the right choice for you regarding wearing a mask:

when worn correctly masks are one of the tools for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu
masks are useful to provide a layer of protection in indoor settings, busy places or on public transport
wearing a well-fitting mask covering the nose and mouth may be also recommended when visiting vulnerable individuals or in vulnerable settings such as care homes and hospitals if there is increased risk identified or an outbreak
if you are more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to a health condition or illness, you could ask visitors to your home to wear a mask
wearing a mask in indoor settings where ventilation is poor may protect against infection
scarves and bandannas do not offer good protection

What mask to choose

Some masks offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to wear than others.

Your mask should be a good fit, fitting closely on the face without any gaps, covering your nose and mouth and be comfortable so that you can keep it on when you need it.

Some masks are designed and tested to ensure they perform consistently and are labelled to tell you what standard they meet and should be worn according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you choose to wear a mask it should meet a recognised standard with a proper fit over your nose and mouth.

Respirators

Respirators are mostly recommended in certain workplaces as they filter at least 95% of particles in the air when approved by the relevant standard and when you have a proper fit. They seal tightly to your face when fitted properly.

Respirators have markings printed on the product to indicate they are authentic. Respirator face masks come in a variety of models, prices, availability, and suitability. They may be identified by the international regulatory standard they meet.

FFP (filtering facepiece) masks are the European respiratory standard. FFP standards refer to the filtering half mask classification by EN 149 and is a European standard of testing and marking requirements for filtering masks. They can be classified as FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3. The higher the number, the better the protection.

Clear masks

Clear masks or masks with a plastic panel may be a useful alternative for:

people who are deaf or have impaired hearing
people learning to read
people with disabilities

Safer Places: additional COVID guidance for selected places and services

Safe Places are the collective group of locations where there may be an increased risk of negative COVID impact. This group includes:

hospitals and HCS
care homes including hospice
domiciliary care workers including FNHC
prisons
GP practices
dental practices
emergency services (Ambulance, FRS, SOJP, Honorary Police)

In line with general guidance, if staff have any symptoms of COVID-19 they should stay at home untilthey feel well and have no fever.

Within the hospitals, care homes and prisons, additional measures including testing and mask wearing may be put in place based on their own risk assessment and current level of risk.

Some employers or job roles may have different requirements on when you can return to your workplace.
You should check requirements with your employer.

If your symptoms persist, you should contact your GP for further advice.

This risk-based approach should consider the overall approach to minimising transmission of COVID-19 within your setting.

Guidance on health and safety risk assessment is available from risk assessments.

Additional information can be found from UKHSA or equivalent organisations, for example the section on facemasks within COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource for adult social care on GOV.UK.

There are still some circumstances where it is recommended that care workers and visitors wear masks to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including if the person cared for is known or suspected to have COVID-19. More information can be found in the PPE guidance section.

PPE guidance

Guidance on recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID, Flu and RSV in health and care settings can be found below.

The guidance is based on information provided to the NHS, published by Public Health England. It has been developed by the infection control team and the senior clinical lead within Health and Community Services and approved by the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC).

Recommended PPE for healthcare settings

Support whilst isolating

If you develop severe COVID-19 symptoms or are worried about your condition, contact your GP or call 999 in an emergency.

If you're unable to work because you're unwell, you may be able to claim Short Term Incapacity Allowance.

Long COVID symptoms, advice and support

After catching COVID-19, some people can feel unwell and take longer to get better than others. Long COVID can affect any part of your body with different symptoms. Ongoing or new symptoms of COVID-19 can change and can come and go over time.

Long COVID or Post COVID-19 syndrome is defined as signs and symptoms which develop during or after an infection that is consistent with COVID-19, that continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by another diagnosis

How to tell if you have long COVID

If you have had COVID-19 and your symptoms are not getting better, you may have ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (4 to 12 weeks post infection) or Post COVID-19 syndrome (12 weeks post infection).

Signs and symptoms can be highly variable and wide ranging. The most commonly reported ones include:

Respiratory symptoms

breathlessness
cough

Cardiovascular symptoms (heart and circulation)

chest tightness
chest pain
palpitations

General symptoms

fatigue
fever
pain

Neurological symptoms

cognitive impairment (brain fog, loss of concentration or memory issues)
headache
sleep disturbance
peripheral neuropathy symptoms (pins and needles and numbness)
dizziness
delirium (in older people)
mobility impairment
visual disturbance

Gastrointestinal symptoms (digestive system)

abdominal pain
nausea
diarrhoea
weight loss and reduced appetite

Musculoskeletal symptoms

joint pain
muscle pain

Psychological or psychiatric symptoms

symptoms of depression
symptoms of anxiety
symptoms of post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD)

Ear, nose and throat symptoms

tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
earache
sore throat
dizziness
loss of taste, smell or both

Dermatological symptoms

skin rashes
hair loss

Most persistent symptoms after a COVID infection will improve steadily without treatment. If you are still experiencing symptoms 4 to 12 weeks after testing positive and/or are concerned, you should contact your GP.

It helps to keep a symptom diary or use a symptom tracking app

Your GP will assess the following:

Take a medical history and ask about:

whether you have had a positive COVID-19 test
your symptoms since having COVID-19
when the symptoms started and how long you have had them
if you have any new symptoms
any other medical conditions you have

They may examine you to find out more about:

any physical symptoms you may have
if you've noticed or are having difficulties with your memory or thinking
how you are managing day to day activities, for example your work or education, getting about, general wellbeing, looking after yourself or feeling isolated
changes in your behaviour, emotions or mood

Depending on your symptoms, your GP may order tests to exclude other conditions.

After assessment your GP will discuss with you any treatment and support you may need.

Treatments

Treatment and support varies and is dependent on your individual needs. Your GP or clinician will discuss a plan of recovery individual to you.

The team caring for you may include experts in all fields including:

cardiology
neurology
gastroenterology
physiotherapy
speech and language therapy
respiratory therapy
psychological and psychiatric
nutritional advice

Medications may also be prescribed:

antihistamines
anti-inflammatories
melatonin
beta blockers
anti-coagulants

Long COVID is a new illness that healthcare professionals are still learning about. Most of the recommendations are based on the experience and expert knowledge of healthcare professionals. Research continues to take place and the guidance may change when its results are known.

If you think you may have long COVID contact your GP.

COVID-19 treatments do not replace vaccinations, vaccines are extremely important in helping your immune system fight a future COVID-19 infection.