COVID-19 symptoms and how it spreads
Learn about the symptoms of COVID-19, when they appear and how it spreads.
Register a positive rapid antigen test result
From 12 January, you must report a positive rapid antigen test result:
- within 24 hours of getting the result.
- every time you get a positive result.
If you have tested positive and reported your result, you can:
- quickly understand your relative level of risk based on your personal circumstances
- access support services available from NSW Health
Symptoms of COVID-19
Symptoms include:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher)
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- runny nose
- loss of taste
- loss of smell.
Other reported symptoms include:
- fatigue
- acute blocked nosed (congestion)
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- headache
- diarrhoea
- nausea/vomiting
- loss of appetite.
Unexplained chest pain and conjunctivitis (eye infection) have also been reported as symptoms of COVID-19.
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.
How COVID-19 is spread
COVID-19 is a human coronavirus that spreads from an infected person to other people in close contact:
- through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing
- by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects.
When COVID-19 symptoms appear
The amount of time between exposure to the virus and the first appearance of symptoms is usually 5 to 6 days, although it may range from 2 to 14 days.
If you don't have symptoms
If you have COVID-19 but do not have any symptoms, this is called "asymptomatic".
If you have COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, you can still infect other people and they could get sick.
This is why it is important to get tested when required, even if you do not have symptoms or feel sick. By getting tested and self-isolating, you can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Advice for parents
If you have school-aged children, visit the Department of Education website and see the advice for families.
Day care and preschool aged children (0 to 4 years)
- If your child is sick, keep them at home.
- If your child has symptoms like a runny nose, fever, cough or sore throat, call your GP (doctor).
- In an emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) or go to your closest emergency department.
- See the raisingchildren.net.au COVID-19 family guide.
Primary school children (5 to 11 years)
- If your child is sick, keep them at home.
- For primary school-aged children with symptoms of COVID-19, contact your GP (doctor). If the GP recommends a rapid antigen test, follow the NSW Health advice on getting tested for COVID-19.
- If you visit a public testing clinic, check that your local clinic tests children 11 years and under.
- See the raisingchildren.net.au COVID-19 family guide.
Secondary school children (12 to 17 years)
- If your teenager is sick, keep them at home and test for COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test. Follow the NSW Health advice on getting tested for COVID-19.
- If you visit a public testing clinic, check that your local clinic tests children 17 years and under.
More information and advice
Follow the NSW Health advice for:
