What to do if you have Covid

The latest Covid booster campaign is under way across the UK and those who qualify are urged to get jabbed as soon as possible.

No Covid restrictions are in place across the UK, but guidance recommends people who catch the virus “should try to stay at home”.

Many of the symptoms are similar to those for colds and flu and include:

Most people feel better within a few days or weeks – but for some, it can be more serious.

Those concerned their or their child’s symptoms are worsening should request an urgent GP appointment or help from NHS 111.

Between 2% and 20% of people catching Covid go on to have longer-term symptoms, “long Covid”, research suggests.

In March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated 1.9 million people in the UK (2.9% of the population) still had symptoms more than four weeks after their initial infection.

There is no simple test for long Covid, and people report a variety of symptoms, including:

Some people have developed long Covid after an initial mild infection.

Routine Covid testing is not recommended, and most people can’t get free tests via the NHS.

You may still be able to get free NHS tests if you:

You can buy a test for about £2 from High Street and online chemists, but cannot report these test results to the NHS.

People are largely advised to treat Covid like any other respiratory disease. You no longer have to self-isolate after testing positive.

However, the government recommends trying to stay home for five days – or three for under-18s, as younger people tend to be infectious for a shorter period.

People at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid who have been told they are entitled to treatments if they catch it must report their test result so the NHS can contact them about their options.

Some people are infectious for about five days but others may be contagious for up to 10.

Those who have a high temperature or still feel unwell after five days are advised to stay home if they can until they:

You don’t have to tell your employer you have Covid.

However, you are asked to avoid contact with others for five days, which means you should work from home if you can, especially if you have a high temperature.

The specific schemes offering financial support to those isolating during the pandemic have ended.

But you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay – worth £109.40 a week.

Under-18s who test positive for Covid are advised to stay at home for three days.

NHS guidance says if a child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough – and they feel well enough – they can go to school or childcare.

In the UK, you can only have the Covid vaccine via the NHS if you meet certain criteria.

For most people, vaccinations are now available only as part of a seasonal rollout. You cannot currently buy them privately.

The 2023 autumn booster campaign is targeting:

The NHS has been contacting eligible people.

You can no longer book a Covid jab online or by calling NHS 119 – but you may be able to with a local NHS vaccination service or you can find a walk-in site.

This round of seasonal Covid jabs will be available until 31 January.

Moderna told BBC News it hoped its Covid jab would be on sale in the UK from 2024.

Pfizer is also exploring options for private provision.

If you have Covid, or think you might, NHS advice is to delay vaccination until you feel better.

It also recommends waiting if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness.

But there is no need to wait if you have recently recovered from Covid and feel well.

The vaccines do not infect people with Covid and cannot cause positive test results.