Symptoms and what you should do
Coronavirus symptoms are:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, even if they're mild, please visit the Gov website for the latest advice.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
Long-term effects of Coronavirus (Long COVID)
For some people, coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or "long COVID".
About Long COVID
How long it takes to recover from COVID-19 is different for everybody.
Many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks. But for some people, symptoms can last longer.
The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19.
People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.
For more information about Long Covid, please see the websites below:
Where do I find trusted information about coronavirus?
As with any new illness, there is a lot of inaccurate information in the public space. Please use trusted sources for your information:
For the public - The GOV.UK website has regular updates
The NHS website gives information on the virus and how to prevent it spreading
The NHS also gives advice on coronavirus, specifically for parents
Travel advice has been provided by the Government and will be updated regularly
Southend-on-Sea City Council:
- this website
- our Facebook page
- our Twitter account
A lot of misleading and incorrect information on coronavirus and the COVID-19 vaccines has been published and shared on social media and through some press outlets. Full Fact is a registered charity whose website is run by a team of independent fact checkers and campaigners who find and counter the harm bad information can cause. You can visit the Full Fact website and get verified information on vaccinations and the pandemic by visiting the links below:
For health professionals - latest updates from GOV.UK