Managing symptoms

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    Managing mild COVID illness

    For many people, COVID-19 illness will be mild. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 infection are recent onset of a new cough, headache, a high temperature, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath.

    Aside from these common symptoms, some less common symptoms include:

    • runny nose
    • diarrhoea
    • nausea and vomiting
    • muscle or joint pain
    • change in your normal sense of taste or smell
    • loss of appetite.

    Mild COVID-19 illness can be managed in a similar way to a seasonal flu. If you have a fever you may experience relief by taking paracetamol and ibuprofen.

    • For adults and children from 12 years, the paracetamol dose is 1g orally every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum dose of 4g within a 24-hour period.
    • For adults and children from 12 years, the ibuprofen dose is 400mg orally every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum dose of 1.2g within a 24-hour period.
    • For children and young people older than 1 month and younger than 12 years, see the dosing information on the pack.

    Paracetamol and Ibuprofen should only be taken regularly so long as you continue to experience fever and other symptoms of COVID-19 illness.

    Monitoring your symptoms

    Whilst many people infected with COVID-19 experience only a mild illness, it is important to monitor yourself and your household members for new or worsening symptoms.

    Alert medical staff immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:

    • Breathing difficulty
    • Pain or pressure in the chest
    • Cold, clammy, pale or mottled skin
    • Blue lips or face
    • New confusion or fainting
    • Difficulty being roused
    • Little or no urination
    • Coughing up blood

    If respiratory symptoms do worsen, this is most likely to occur in the second week of illness.

    In general, your symptoms should improve within 7 days. If your symptoms are worsening and/or you have concern about your wellbeing, please contact the Virtual Ward.

    How long will it take me to recover?

    Everyone with COVID-19 infection will experience it a little differently. Some people will have an asymptomatic or very mild illness, while others may experience more symptoms. In the same way, recovery time following COVID-19 infection can vary.

    Most people who get COVID-19 recover within two weeks from infection onset.

    If you have ongoing concerns please contact the Virtual Ward (during isolation) or see your GP after you have been advised you no longer need to isolate.

    If you are getting worse

    You can call the Virtual Ward and discuss your concerns with one of the team members, self-present to the Emergency Department or call an ambulance – please ensure you advise them you are COVID-19 positive.

    Testing when COVID-19 positive

    Most people who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not require further testing.

    There are some other circumstances where repeat testing may be requested, however should these apply to you, a staff member will be in contact to discuss these further.