COVID-19

The symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. You can find the full list of symptoms here.

The advice is to stay home and avoid contact with other people. Especially if you:

• have COVID-19 symptoms
• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to do your normal activities

You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or your high temperature stops.

You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms.

Find out what to do if you choose do a test and get a positive result here.

COVID-19 vaccination is effective and the safest way to protect yourself from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccinations are provided for free by the NHS to people at higher risk from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines are normally given seasonally, but some people with a severely weakened immune system may need additional protection at other times. The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.

You may be able to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 75 years old or over
• live in a care home for older adults
• are aged 6 months old or over and have a weakened immune system

Find out more about who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine here.

You can find out where to get a vaccine, including walk in locations, near you via the NHS website.

You can find out more information about the vaccine's benefits, safety and possible side effects here.

If you have COVID-19, or think you might, wait until you feel better before getting vaccinated. If you have recently got better from COVID-19, there is no need to delay getting vaccinated. You should also wait if you have a high temperature or feel particularly unwell with any illness.

Most people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks.

For some people, symptoms can last longer. This is called long COVID or post COVID-19 syndrome. Long COVID is a new condition which is still being studied.

The most common symptoms of long COVID are:

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• feeling short of breath
• problems with your memory and concentration ("brain fog")
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• joint pain and muscle aches

Find out more about Long COVID including how you can get support here.

COVID-19 tests are no longer available for free for most people. You can purchase tests from your local pharmacy or supermarket.

If you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatments, you may still be able to get free COVID-19 tests from the NHS. Click here out where you can get your free tests in North East London, and when you should use them.

You do not need to do a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms, if you are not eligible for COVID-19 treatment.

Find out what to do if you choose to do a test and get a positive result here.

The NHS offers treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. Find out more about the treatment available here.

You're eligible for a COVID-19 treatment assessment, without being admitted to hospital, if all the following apply:

• you're at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• you're aged 12 or over
• you have symptoms of COVID-19
• you have tested positive for COVID-19

Find out how to access treatment, if you are eligible, in North East London here.

There are multiple treatments available for COVID-19. When you are assessed by the doctor they will let you know the best option for you. 

Some treatments are also available through a national study to a wider group of people, including those aged 50 years old and over (or 18 years old and over with a health condition that puts them at increased risk of COVID-19).

Visit the Panoramic trial website if you're interested in taking part.