Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in adults

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:

  • 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)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • an aching body
  • a headache
  • a sore throat
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you're worried about your symptoms
  • you're not sure what to do

Get help from NHS 111 online

Call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Do not go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.

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Page last reviewed: 23 January 2023

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