COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways, caused by a virus called Coronavirus.
Symptoms
It may take up to fourteen days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear.
The main symptoms to look out for are
•cough (not just dry )
•shortness of breath
•breathing difficulties
•fever (or chills )
Other symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, sore throat, aches and pains.
Should you develop symptoms you must self isolate (stay indoors and avoid contact with other people ) and phone your GP. Do not attend a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone and if they think you will need to be tested for Coronavirus they will arrange a suitable test.
Close Contact
Close contact can mean spending more than fifteen minutes face to face contact within two metres of an infected person
Living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person.
If you develop symptoms you will need to self isolate while those in your household must restrict their movements.
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 or touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed upon.
Treatment of Coronavirus
There is no specific treatment of Coronavirus, but many of the symptoms can be treated.
Drink plenty of water, take paracetamol to reduce pain and fever. Antibiotics do not work against Coronavirus.
Vaccine
The flu vaccine does not protect against Coronavirus.
