What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the virus called 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus.

COVID-19 is a contagious illness that can affect anyone. Some people get better easily, while others become very sick.

COVID-19 can be especially serious for:

• older people
• people with underlying medical conditions
• pregnant females

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most people with COVID-19 only get mild, cold-like symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath
• changed sense of smell or taste

Other symptoms include:

• fatigue (tiredness)
• muscle pains
• sore throat
• headaches
• runny nose, blocked nose or sneezing
• chest pain or chest tightness
• dizziness or confusion

Other symptoms gastrointestinal (stomach or bowel) symptoms include:

• a decreased appetite
• diarrhoea
• nausea and vomiting
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• constipation

Some people have no symptoms at all. This is known as being asymptomatic.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

Who is at risk of getting very sick with COVID-19?

You have a higher chance of getting very sick with COVID-19 if you have other diseases or conditions. The most common conditions that can increase your chance of severe COVID-19 are:

• hypertension (high blood pressure), especially if it's not well controlled
• obesity
• diabetes

Other health conditions that can increase your risk are:

• some cancers (diagnosed in the past 5 years)
• some chronic (ongoing) inflammatory conditions
• chronic kidney failure or chronic liver disease
• chronic lung disease — such as moderate or severe asthma
• heart disease — coronary heart disease or heart failure
• some neurological conditions — such as stroke or dementia
• severe mental health conditions

You are also more likely to become very sick from COVID-19 if you:

• are 65 years of age or older
• are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with one health condition
• have immune system problems or take medicines that suppress the immune system

Other risk factors include:

• living in a rural or remote area with limited access to doctors and hospitals
• living in a residential aged care facility
• having a complex disability
• being pregnant

What causes COVID-19?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.

Researchers have identified many variants (types) of SARS-CoV-2 since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

In most people, the virus infects the cells lining your upper airway (your nose and throat). This causes mild or moderate disease.

If you get very sick from COVID-19, it's usually because you get an infection of your lower respiratory tract (your lungs). This can lead to pneumonia.

How is COVID-19 spread between people?

COVID-19 spreads from person to person by respiratory droplets or small airborne particles. You release droplets from your body when you:

• cough
• sneeze
• talk

How long am I infectious for?

You are generally considered infectious from 48 hours before your symptoms started or from testing positive if you have no symptoms. You may still be infectious for as long as you have symptoms, like fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose and sore throat. This may last for up to 10 days. When you are infectious, you can spread (infect) COVID-19 to other people. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still infect others.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have COVID-19 and are at greater risk of getting very unwell, it is important to see your doctor.

When should my child see the doctor?

It's rare for children to get very sick from COVID-19. Most children will have no symptoms or mild symptoms. If you are worried about your child's symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Ask for an urgent doctor's appointment if your child:

• has symptoms that are getting worse or are not getting better
• shows other signs of illness, such as a rash, loss of appetite or unusual tiredness
• has a high temperature for 5 days or more, or paracetamol does not bring down their temperature
• is aged 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
• seems to have a high temperature

When should I seek urgent care?

Ask for an urgent doctor's appointment if:

• your symptoms are getting worse
• you're not getting better
• you have other signs of illness, such as a rash, loss of appetite or feeling weak
• you have had a high temperature for 5 days or more, or your temperature doesn't reduce by taking paracetamol

When should I call an ambulance?

Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you have severe symptoms, such as:

• difficulty breathing, or blue lips or face
• pain or pressure in your chest
• cold and clammy skin, or pale and mottled skin
• fainting or collapsing
• being confused or having difficulty waking up
• little or no urine (wee)
• coughing up blood

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

There are 2 types of tests that can show if you have the COVID-19 virus:

• rapid antigen tests (RATs)
• polymerase chain reaction tests (PCR or RT-PCR)

Both tests involve a nasal swab — a test where a long cotton bud (Q-tip) is gently inserted into your nose to collect a sample from the inside.

You can do a RAT at home. You use a nasal swab to collect a sample and then place it on a test device. Results usually appear in 10 to 20 minutes. Pharmacies, supermarkets and some petrol stations sell RATs. The RAT you buy will include everything you need to do the test and interpret your result.

There are now triple RATs available which test for COVID-19, influenza A and B (flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). These are available at pharmacies and supermarkets.

RATs are quick and convenient but are less accurate than PCR tests, especially in the early stages of infection.

To get a PCR test, you will need to see your doctor. To do a PCR test, your doctor will use a nasal swab to collect a sample and then send it to a lab for processing. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may examine you as well.

What to do if you test positive

Staying at home stops you from passing the COVID-19 virus on to people outside of your household. Stay home from work and keep children at home and away from school or childcare while you are unwell.

To help protect those around you, try to:

• work from home where possible
• practise good hygiene and hand washing
• wear a mask if you must leave your home
• avoid going to public places
• avoid travelling on public transport and using taxis and ride-share services
• avoid contact with people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19
• follow the advice of your local state and territory health department

If you have COVID-19, you should not visit hospitals, aged care facilities or disability care places for at least 7 days, or until your symptoms have gone.

If you have a healthcare appointment that you cannot miss, let the service know in advance that you have COVID-19.

How is COVID-19 treated?

Treatment for COVID-19 will depend on your symptoms and how unwell you are.

Self-care at home

Self-care measures include getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your urine should be pale yellow).

Medicines for COVID-19

You can manage mild symptoms with over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

There are 2 antiviral treatments available for the treatment of COVID-19:

• nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid)
• molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
• remdesivir (Veklury) — available in hospital

Your doctor may recommend antiviral treatment if you are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. To find out if you are eligible for antiviral treatment, see eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments.

COVID-19 antivirals are taken as capsules or tablets. They help stop COVID-19 infections from becoming severe.

Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 aren't safe to take if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have severe kidney disease — you should not take Paxlovid
• have liver disease — you should not take Paxlovid

Oral antiviral treatments may affect how the contraceptive pill works. You should use a different type of contraception while taking COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

Females should use other forms of contraception during treatment, and for:

• 4 days after taking Lagevrio
• 7 days after taking Paxlovid

Males should also use contraception during treatment and for 3 months after taking Lagevrio.

For more, read the Consumer Medicine Information for your treatment. You can also talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what is best for you.

What are the complications of COVID-19?

Most people who get COVID-19 recover completely. But some people develop long COVID.

Sometimes, long COVID symptoms can last for months.

Complications of severe COVID-19 can be life-threatening. You will need hospital treatment if you have a severe disease or complications.

Can COVID-19 be prevented?

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at lowering your chance of getting very sick from COVID-19. The best protection against COVID-19 is to stay up to date with your vaccinations.

If you need help finding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, use our online guided search feature.

You can also help protect yourself and those around you from the virus that causes COVID-19 by:

• wearing a face mask
• practising good hygiene, including hand washing
• practising physical distancing

Physical distancing means:

• keeping 1.5 metres away from others when possible
• avoiding handshaking, hugs, kisses and other physical greetings
• avoiding crowds and large gatherings

Resources and support

If you have any questions about COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Read about COVID-19 topics in an easy read format:

• What is COVID-19
• Symptoms: If you feel sick
• Managing COVID at home
• How to do a rapid antigen test (RAT) from your nose
• How to do a rapid antigen test (RAT) with your saliva
• COVID-19 and ventilation

Languages other than English

NSW Health has translated information on COVID-19.

Health Translations has information in languages other than English on:

• Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19
• How to do a nasal rapid antigen test (RAT)
• Paxlovid medicine for people with mild COVID-19

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has information on COVID-19 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Healthy WA has COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal people.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has information on living with COVID-19 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.