Covid-19 Self-Test

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which mostly affects the respiratory system. It is spread mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. In some cases, the virus can lead to severe complications, particularly in vulnerable people.

Symptoms of Covid-19 can range from mild to severe and generally appear 2-4 days after exposure to the virus, though this can be up to 14 days. Common symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Some people may show no symptoms, though they can still spread the virus.

You should contact a healthcare professional urgently if you experience any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• Sudden chest pain
• Confusion or inability to stay awake
• Coughing up blood
• Unable to complete short sentences when resting
• Bluish lips or face
• Worsening symptoms or if you are in a high-risk group (e.g., elderly, pregnant, or with a weakened immune system).
• A fever for 5 or more days or that does not come down with paracetamol

Even if you have mild symptoms, it’s important to monitor your condition and seek help if you feel your symptoms are worsening.

People who are more likely to experience severe illness from Covid-19 include:

• Older adults: Those over 65 years of age are at higher risk.
• People with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, chronic lung disease, obesity, sickle cell disease and weakened immune systems.
• People with cancers, particularly blood cancers such as leukaemia
• People who have had organ transplants
• Unvaccinated individuals: People who are unvaccinated are more likely to develop severe symptoms and complications.
• People with certain chromosomal abnormalities: Including conditions such as Down’s Syndrome.

People in these groups should contact their healthcare professional if they record a positive Covid test, as they may be eligible for treatments to prevent severe Covid. If you are not sure about whether you are eligible and record a positive Covid test, please speak with a professional urgently.

Covid-19 is spread through droplets, mostly in the air. They may also be found on surfaces if people have breathed, coughed or sneezed near them.

To reduce the risk of picking up the infection, you may consider washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitiser regularly through the day. You are also at higher risk of catching it in confined spaces or where it is crowded so keeping doors and windows open if meeting indoors can help with ventilation.

If you are meeting someone who is at higher risk of becoming unwell with Covid and you have had a positive test, you may also consider avoiding contact until 10 days after the positive test.

There is now no obligation to self-isolate with a positive test.

It is generally recommended though to try to stay at home and avoid contact with others for 5 days after a positive test if you are over 18. If you are meeting people who can potentially become seriously unwell with Covid, the recommendation is for 10 days.