World Health Organization COVID: what you should know

COVID-19 is an infection caused by a coronavirus. Guidance from public-health bodies is intended to help communities and individuals reduce transmission, recognise illness, and protect people at higher risk of severe disease. Recommendations can vary with local services, circulating infections, and a person’s health needs, so local health-authority advice and a clinician’s advice are useful for decisions about testing, vaccination, isolation, or treatment.

Symptoms may involve the nose, throat, chest, stomach, or the whole body. A symptom alone does not identify the infection, because common respiratory illnesses can overlap. Testing and clinical assessment can help clarify the cause when the result would change what you do.

If you develop respiratory symptoms, reduce close contact with others where possible, practise hand hygiene, and improve ventilation in shared indoor spaces. Rest, drink fluids, and monitor how you feel. Check the current instructions issued where you live or work, particularly before visiting a healthcare setting or spending time with someone vulnerable.

Contact a clinician early if you have a condition or treatment that may increase your chance of becoming seriously unwell, or if you are unsure whether testing or antiviral treatment may be relevant. Have a list of medicines and the date symptoms began available for the discussion.

Seek urgent medical care for trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to stay awake, or blue or grey lips or face. Children who are struggling to breathe, are difficult to wake, or are not drinking need prompt assessment. Worsening illness after an initially mild period also deserves clinical advice.

Ask whether your symptoms need testing, which warning signs apply to you, and whether any current medicines affect treatment choices. If you care for an older adult or an immunocompromised person, ask how to lower exposure in the home.