Mild COVID-19
How it feels: You’ll have flu-like symptoms, which can include cough, mild fever, headache, muscle pain and tiredness. You won’t be short of breath in general. You shouldn’t have a high fever. Keep yourself hydrated and rest. More info...
Other symptoms: You might have one or more of these symptoms: Sore throat (sometimes); Diarrhoea (less common); runny nose (uncommon); loss of smell and taste (common).
Positives: Your appetite should be fairly normal and you should be able to eat and drink, shower and generally take care of yourself.
How long will it last? Symptoms typically seem to last about 7 to 10 days. Most coronavirus cases (81%) are mild and stay mild from start to finish.
Age: Most people under 60 have mild symptoms like this.
Moderate COVID-19
How it feels: You’re more breathless and feel your heart beat faster when you move around. The cough is more noticeable. You’ll be coughing many times an hour and it’s probably making you tired. You may have symptoms of a fever like shivering and chills. More info...
Other symptoms: You will be breathless but not to the point that it alarms you. Your heart rate will rise when you move around and you may have symptoms of a fever like shivering and chills.
You might also experience: Headache, diarrhoea, nausea, dry mouth or vomiting, although these symptoms are uncommon.
Positives: You’ll feel tired, but you’ll still be able to shower and take care of yourself, although you’ll be eating less than normal. You might want to stay in bed.
How long will it last? Moderate coronavirus tends to last slightly longer than 7 to 14 days. The cough will last at least two or three days.
Age: Moderate symptoms are also common in the under 60 age group.
How to care for yourself: Keep yourself hydrated. Keep eating even in small amounts.
Warning: If you’re feeling increasingly breathless, can’t manage basic things like showering and eating, or if you can’t speak in whole sentences without taking extra breaths, call your local health service right away.
Severe COVID-19
How it feels: You’re going to feel very breathless (even when you’re resting), and might find it hard to finish sentences. Along with chest, stomach or back pain when you breathe, these can be signs you’ve developed pneumonia. You will not be eating and drinking normally. Other signs include a high fever. More info...
Other symptoms: Other signs include a high temperature (over 37.8 degrees centigrade), a rapid heartbeat and looking unwell. Other people might notice that you seem confused, and you won’t be able to read or watch TV because you’re focused on your breathing. You won’t be eating or drinking normally.
Age: Severe coronavirus is more likely if you’re over 60 or have an existing health condition. However anyone can have severe symptoms.
Warning: Your symptoms are serious. If you, or someone you know, has symptoms like this, you should call your local health service for advice.
Warning: If you’re feeling increasingly breathless, can’t manage basic things like showering and eating, or if you can’t speak in whole sentences without taking extra breaths, call your local health service right away.
*Read Dr Mary Lowth’s authoritative article on the stages of coronavirus on Healthily
