If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Most people with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections will have a relatively mild illness, especially if they have been vaccinated. It is not possible to tell if you have COVID-19, flu or another respiratory infection based on symptoms alone. The symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections are very similar. It is important to be aware of symptoms so you can take action to reduce the risk of spreading your infection to other people. Respiratory infections can spread easily between people. Symptoms of respiratory infections, including COVID-19 This means it is important to follow the advice in this guidance to reduce the spread of infection and help to keep others safe. They could be strangers (for example, people you sit next to on public transport) or people you may have regular contact with (for example, friends and work colleagues). You will not always know whether someone you come into contact with outside your home is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell. Some children aged under 2 years, especially those with a heart condition or born prematurely, as well as very young infants, are at increased risk of hospitalisation from respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV). The risk of becoming seriously unwell from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections is very low for most children and young people. people of any age with certain long-term conditions.people of any age whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness.People who are at higher risk from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections include: People at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from a respiratory infection, including COVID-19 There is also additional guidance for those working in health and social care settings. There is separate guidance for people who have been informed by the NHS that they are at highest risk of becoming seriously unwell and who might be eligible for new COVID-19 treatments.

This guidance is in 2 parts:Īctions you can take to protect other people if you are unwell with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and you have not taken a test for COVID-19.Īdvice for people who have taken a COVID-19 test and have received a positive test result. Most people can no longer access free testing for COVID-19.

Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, however even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you might catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to other people. COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections. As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others.

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