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What were your first signs of COVID?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 08, 2026

40% of all age groups reported having a fever in the first seven days, and this or loss of smell and persistent cough are still the key symptoms to be aware of - so people with the classic three symptoms of persistent cough, fever or loss of smell should certainly seek a COVID test.

What are some of the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most common symptoms:

fever
cough
tiredness
loss of taste or smell.
Less common symptoms:

sore throat
headache
aches and pains
diarrhoea
a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
red or irritated eyes.

What are some of the most common symptoms of the COVID-19 Delta variant?

Cough, fatigue, headache and loss of taste and/or smell continue to be the most commonly reported symptoms in those testing positive.

What are some of the symptoms of the omicron variant of COVID-19?

According to US CDC analysis, the five most common symptoms of the Omicron variant are cough, fatigue, congestion, runny nose and generalised body ache. Recently, the UK-based Zoe Covid app study added new symptoms such as nausea and loss of appetite.

How do I know if I have COVID-19 or flu?


It is not possible to tell if you have COVID-19, flu or another respiratory infection based on symptoms alone. Most people with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections will have a relatively mild illness, especially if they have been vaccinated.

24 related questions found

Can people with mild COVID-19 symptoms recover at home?

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Can you take ibuprofen if you have the coronavirus disease?

Patients can take paracetamol or ibuprofen when self-medicating for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever and headache, and should follow NHS advice if they have any questions or if symptoms get worse.

What are the common side effects of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine?


The most frequently reported adverse reactions are injection site tenderness (68%), injection site pain (58%), headache (53%), fatigue (53%), myalgia (44%), malaise (44%), pyrexia (includes feverishness (33%) and fever ≥38°C (8%)), chills (32%), arthralgia (27%) and nausea (22%).

The majority of these adverse reactions were mild to moderate in severity and usually resolved within a few days of vaccination. Very rare cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome have been reported post-marketing within the first three weeks following vaccination (see section 4.4).

What are the possible side effects of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine?

The most common side effects with BNT162b2 (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever.

What are the most common adverse reactions to the covid-19 vaccine?

The most frequent adverse reactions in trials were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, myalgia (muscle pains), chills, arthralgia (joint pains), and fever; these were each reported in more than 1 in 10 people.

What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?

The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‐19

How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?


If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?


Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?


If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

How long can you not eat or drink before a COVID-19 test?


Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before doing your test to reduce the risk of spoiling the test.

In what conditions does COVID-19 survive the longest?

Coronaviruses die very quickly when exposed to the UV light in sunlight. Like other enveloped viruses, SARS-CoV-2 survives longest when the temperature is at room temperature or lower, and when the relative humidity is low (<50%).

What are some common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children?

Common side effects their arm feeling heavy or sore where they had the injection feeling achy or like they have the flu feeling tired having a headache

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?


The MHRA confirmed on 9 September 2021 that the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca can be used as safe and effective booster doses. Following review of data for the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna vaccine, the MHRA and CHM experts also concluded that this vaccine can be used as a safe and effective booster dose.

All vaccines and medicines have some side effects. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the expected benefits in preventing illness. The COVID-19 Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine was evaluated in clinical trials involving more than 44,000 participants. The most frequent adverse reactions in these trials

Can you get a fever or temperature after the COVID-19 vaccine?

Although a fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and arrange to have a test.

How does the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine work?

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca stimulates the body's natural defences (immune system). It causes the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus. This will help to protect you against COVID-19 in the future. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19.

What is the recommended dosing interval for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine?


AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine dosing interval. The recommended interval between 2 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is 12 weeks. The minimum interval between doses is 4 weeks. The duration of protection after a single dose of AstraZeneca has not yet been established.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca contain any animal products?

The MHRA can confirm that the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca does not contain any components of animal origin.

What should you do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result?


Those who are asked – or choose to test – and get a positive COVID-19 result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days following the day of their positive result.

Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

What is a healthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Every day, eat a mix of wholegrains like wheat, maize and rice, legumes like lentils and beans, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables , with some foods from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish, eggs and milk).

• Choose wholegrain foods like unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice when you can; they are rich in valuable fibre and can help you feel full for longer.

• For snacks, choose raw vegetables, fresh fruit, and unsalted nuts.