What are the symptoms of COVID and when should I be tested?

Not feel good? Symptoms of COVID-19 vary from person to person and can look like a cold or the flu.

Here’s what you need to know about the virus and when you should take a COVID test.

Click on a link below to go directly to the answer.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are very varied and anyone who contracts the virus will experience it a little differently.

A person may experience a single symptom or mild symptoms, or severe symptoms that require urgent medical attention.

A person can also have COVID-19 and be contagious but not feel or show any symptoms (this is called asymptomatic).

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• fever (37.5 ° C or higher)
• night sweats or chills
• cough
• tired
• sore throat
• headache
• runny nose or congestion

Other symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• muscle or joint pain
• loss of sense of smell
• loss of taste
• diarrhea
• vomiting or nausea
• loss of appetite

Serious symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chest pain or pressure
• loss of speech or movement

If you have severe symptoms, call triple-0 for urgent medical help.

For more information on COVID-19, call the 24-hour toll-free national coronavirus hotline at 1-800-020-080.

To check your symptoms online, visit the Australian government site Healthdirect Coronavirus Symptom Checker (COVID-19).

What are the symptoms of the COVID Delta variant?

The highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 is emerging as the predominant strain of the virus.

The Delta variant has the same symptoms as described above, but the following four symptoms are commonly reported:

• headache
• sore throat
• runny nose
• fever (37.5 ° C or higher)

Are my symptoms the flu, a cold, or allergies?

Symptoms of the flu or the common cold are similar to symptoms of COVID-19.

The only way to know which one a person has is to take a COVID-19 test.

Allergies can also present with symptoms similar to COVID-19, but there are key differences between the two.

Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, but does not occur with allergies.

Allergy symptoms can also include itching or watery eyes and sneezing.

How long before the symptoms of COVID appear?

Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear between 1 and 14 days after a person has been exposed to the virus.

A person with COVID-19 can also be asymptomatic, which means they don’t feel or have any symptoms but can still be contagious to others.

How long do symptoms of COVID last?

It is common for mild symptoms of COVID-19 to last for up to two weeks.

However, some people may experience symptoms of the virus for several weeks or months – this is called the long COVID.

People with long-term COVID reported experiencing extreme fatigue and fatigue, difficulty breathing and persistent “brain fog”.

Long-term COVID research is ongoing, but a An Australian study estimated that around one in three people contract COVID-19 will continue to have a long COVID.

Another Australian study on people recovering from severe COVID-19 reported that about two in three people have persistent problems.

When should I take a COVID test?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested as soon as possible, even if the symptoms are mild.

You may also be asked to be tested for COVID-19 if you have been in contact with someone infected with the virus, if you have visited an exhibition site, or if you are undertaking a mandatory quarantine.

National health guidelines state that if your test for COVID-19 is negative but you still have symptoms, you should stay home until the symptoms stop.

If you have received a COVID vaccine, you should still get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Where can I get a COVID test near me?

You can take a COVID-19 test at a testing clinic or some general medicine clinics.

If you want to book a COVID test with your GP, it is important that you call ahead and tell them about your symptoms and any possible exposure to the virus during travel or contact.

COVID-19 testing is free in Australia; However, you may need to pay a consultation fee to your GP if they don’t offer bulk billing.

Click on a link below to find a COVID testing clinic in your state or territory.

How long does a COVID test result last?

It may take up to two days for your COVID-19 test results to be received.

How you receive your test result will depend on where you took your test.

You must stay home until you get your test result.

This article has compiled information from the Australian Department of Health, direct health, State and Territory Health Services, and the World Health Organization.

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