Nine signs of illness have now been added to the NHS’ list of official Covid-19 symptoms.
The NHS updated its list of coronavirus symptoms in adults on April 1. On the same day that England switched to its “living with COVID” strategy and free coronavirus testing for all ended.
Previously, the NHS said there were three main symptoms of Covid; a fever, a new and persistent cough, and a loss of change in taste or smell. Now, the health service recognises nine more symptoms, including feeling tired, headaches, a sore throat and nausea.
As well as a these, the NHS has added a further 9 symptoms which are signs of coronavirus.
If you experience symptoms, you are advised to stay home until you feel better. But there is no longer a legal requirement to isolate – or dedicated financial help for those who do, beyond regular sick pay.
The list of all 12 symptoms is now:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath;
- feeling tired or exhausted;
- an aching body;
- a headache;
- a sore throat;
- a blocked or runny nose;
- loss of appetite;
- diarrhoea;
- feeling sick or being sick
