What will happen if you have COVID-19?
Contents
Contents
How will you feel?
- COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus.
- Many people who catch coronavirus will not get sick.
- Most people who do feel unwell with COVID-19 get a mild illness similar to flu, causing cough, fever, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles and perhaps a change in smell or taste.
- In some people, COVID-19 can be severe, causing pneumonia with difficulty breathing.
You could be at risk of severe COVID-19 if:
- you are 55 years or older.
- you are an adult of any age with any of the following:
- diabetes
- TB or HIV
- kidney disease or hypertension
- chronic lung disease (asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
- on cancer treatment.
How long will it last?
- Most people who get COVID-19 recover completely within 5–7 days.
- It may last longer, especially if the person has severe COVID-19.
- Sometimes COVID-19 symptoms can get worse after the first week.
What treatment will you need?
- There is currently no specific cure or treatment for COVID-19; it will resolve by itself.
- You will need to rest and can take medication to ease symptoms like pain or fever.
- If you develop severe COVID-19, you will need oxygen and other care in hospital.
Will you spread coronavirus to others?
- You can spread coronavirus easily to others, even if you have mild symptoms or are not unwell at all.
- Try to avoid spreading it, especially to those at risk of severe COVID-19.
- You will need to isolate yourself from others in your home for at least 10 days.
Where should you stay while you have COVID-19?
Stay at home in your own room if:
- you can isolate yourself from others at home
- you are able to get healthcare easily if you need it.
Move to a special isolation facility for people to stay safely while they have COVID-19 if:
- you cannot stay in your own room at home or
- you are unable to get to healthcare easily.
Go to hospital if you develop severe COVID-19 with any of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- confusion
- chest pain or pressure that won’t go away or
- difficulty waking up.
- It is important that you avoid contact with others, especially if they are at risk of severe COVID-19.
- If you are unsure if you can isolate at home safely, phone a COVID-19 hotline or speak to your healthcare provider.