COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- fever
- dry cough
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- fatigue
- sore throat
- runny nose
- gastrointestinal symptoms, e.g. loss of appetite, diarrhoea and abdominal pain
- reduced or loss of sense of smell (anosmia) or taste – may be an early symptom.
Most people have mild symptoms; some people have no symptoms at all.
In more severe cases, signs and symptoms include:
- pneumonia
- severe breathing difficulties
- kidney failure.
How long do symptoms of coronavirus take to appear?
Symptoms can appear anywhere between 2 days after being infected up to 2 weeks. Some people get sick very quickly, but, for most people with symptoms, they appear about 5 days after being infected.
If you have symptoms
Anyone with acute respiratory symptoms, that’s cough, runny nose, sore throat or cold or flu symptoms, can now get tested for COVID-19 and is encouraged to do so.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, ring your GP – don’t go straight there. Telehealth consultations by telephone or video (e.g. FaceTime, Skype or Zoom) are available to all Australians and in some cases may be bulk-billed through Medicare.
Testing is available at some general practices, pathology clinics and drive-through clinics. See your state or territory health department website for details of these clinics. This searchable list and map of COVID-19 testing locations may also help you locate a test centre. You may or may not need a booking or referral, depending on the particular test centre. Testing is generally free for Medicare card holders.
Tell the doctor or clinic your situation – your symptoms, any contact with known cases and travel history. States and territories are publishing details of flights that have been identified as having had confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.
You can also ring the Australian Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice.
Telephone: 1800 020 080
The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you need translation or interpreting services, call 131 450
If you need to travel for testing, wear a mask (if you have one) to protect others, stay at least 1.5 metres from other people, and cover your coughs and sneezes.
Coronavirus symptom risk calculator
myDr.com.au has a Coronavirus Risk Calculator to assess your symptoms and risk of having coronavirus.
