Protecting yourself from COVID-19

Anyone can get sick with COVID‑19. Find out more about the
symptoms, tests, vaccines and how to stay safe.

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When to call 000

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately and tell the ambulance staff you have COVID-19 if you have severe symptoms like:

  • chest pressure or pain
  • trouble breathing
  • feeling drowsy or confused
  • feeling like you might faint when standing.

Steps to keep yourself and others safe

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Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms, or wear a mask when out.

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Don't visit people who are at higher risk if you have COVID-19 or symptoms.

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Stay up to date with your recommended COVID-19 vaccinations

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You may be asked to wear a mask in high-risk settings.

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Talk with your doctor now if you're at higher risk.

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Gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces.

What is COVID-19 and what are the symptoms?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. It usually spreads between people in close contact, or in poorly ventilated spaces.

Anyone can get sick with COVID-19. Most people will recover without treatment, however some people can become seriously ill and need to be hospitalised.

People over 60 years of age and those with existing medical conditions have a higher risk of getting seriously ill.

Symptoms may 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 symptoms may include
  • fatigue
  • blocked nose (nasal congestion)
  • muscle pain
  • joint pain
  • headache
  • diarrhoea
  • nausea/vomiting
  • loss of appetite.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe breathing difficulties. 

How is COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to other people in close contact:

  • through contaminated droplets and aerosolised particles spreading by coughing, sneezing or talking
  • by touching your mouth, nose and eyes with hands that have come into contact with respiratory fluids, surfaces and objects containing the virus.

The amount of time between exposure to the virus and the first appearance of symptoms is usually 3 to 4 days, although it may range from 2 to 14 days.

Some people can have a COVID-19 infection without showing any symptoms, known as being asymptomatic. These people can still infect other people with COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home to help stop the spread of respiratory infections in our community.

How to prevent and diagnose COVID-19

Prevent COVID-19

Vaccination

Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines offers the best protection against severe illness. 

A person is ‘up-to-date’ with COVID-19 vaccination when they have received all the vaccine doses recommended for their age and individual health needs. 

For the latest advice, visit the current Australian Government COVID-19 advice and recommendations. Speak with your doctor if you have any questions about vaccination and if it is recommended for you.

If you need more information about COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccines:

Other simple steps to protect yourself and others

There are simple steps to help protect others, including: 

  • Stay home if you are sick and wear a mask if you need to leave home.
  • Don't visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you are sick.
  • Avoid crowded places.
  • Get together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows.
  • Practice good hand hygiene, including handwashing.
Diagnose COVID-19

There are 2 types of tests you can take to check if you have COVID-19:

  • a rapid antigen test (RAT) that you can do yourself
  • a PCR test that can be taken by your doctor, or a private pathology provider. If you are at higher risk of severe illness, speak to your doctor to get a pathology referral form and to ask where to get a PCR test.

Have a plan if you are at higher risk of severe illness

People at higher risk of severe illness should talk to their doctor before they get sick to make a plan for what test to do and what treatment they may need.

Some people are at higher risk of severe illness. They are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and need hospital care.

Find the full list of people who are considered at higher risk.

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Testing positive to COVID-19 and how to manage at home

It is strongly recommended you stay home until your symptoms have gone and take steps to protect others.

Most people with COVID-19 can manage safely at home. If you are worried about your symptoms, call your doctor. If you can’t contact your doctor, use the online Service Finder to find one near you, or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. This service is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.

If your symptoms become severe, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness and have tested positive, check the information for people at higher risk of severe illness. 

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What should I do if I test positive to COVID-19?

It is strongly recommended that you stay home and take steps to protect others. You may be infectious for up to 10 days. You are most infectious in the 2 days before your symptoms start and while you have acute symptoms.

Some people with COVID-19 do not develop symptoms but can still infect others.

To reduce the risk to others, you should:

Stay home if you are unwell
  • Stay at home until your acute symptoms have gone. These include:
    • runny nose
    • sore throat
    • fever
    • cough.
  • If you have symptoms and need to leave home, wear a mask to protect others. 

Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms that can be managed at home and will recover in a few days. Some people have no symptoms at all. Most symptoms can be managed with:

  • rest
  • keeping hydrated
  • over-the-counter medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain and fevers. Pregnant women should avoid ibuprofen.   

Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222 if your symptoms are becoming worse, you are concerned, or you have the following symptoms and don’t improve:

  • trouble eating and drinking
  • passing less urine than normal
  • feeling a little dizzy or lightheaded when walking around the room.
Get medical advice if you are at higher risk
  • If you are at higher risk of severe illness, speak with your doctor as soon as you test positive.
  • You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments.
  • Antiviral medicines target the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 to prevent it infecting healthy cells in your body and multiplying.
  • This helps stop the spread of the virus inside your body and helps your immune system fight off the infection.
  • By reducing how severe the illness is, you are less likely to:
    • go to hospital
    • develop breathing difficulties
    • need assistance with oxygen or intensive care treatment.
  • COVID-19 antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible and within 5 days from when your symptoms start.
  • You may be eligible to receive antiviral medicines if you test positive to COVID-19 and are:
    • 70 years of age or older
    • 50 years of age or older with 2 additional risk factors for severe illness
    • an Aboriginal person, 30 years of age or older with one additional risk factor for severe illness
    • 18 years of age or older and are moderately to severely immunocompromised, or have previously been hospitalised from COVID-19.
  • If you live in a remote area and have reduced access to healthcare or you are a resident in an aged care or disability care facility, discuss your risk with your doctor.
  • If you can’t contact your doctor call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or use the online Service Finder to find one near you.
Avoid high-risk settings
  • Where possible, don’t visit people at higher risk of severe illness, anyone in hospital or an aged or disability care facility for at least 7 days.
  • If you work in a high-risk setting such as health, disability and aged care:
    • You may be asked not to return until 7 days have passed or you have no symptoms.
    • It is recommended that you talk to your employer about additional precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Reduce contact with others
  • Avoid gatherings and crowded indoor places.
  • Talk to your employer about when you should return to the workplace.
  • Work from home where possible.
Tell close contacts
  • Tell people that you live with, or spend a lot of time with, that you have COVID-19.
  • People who have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 should:
    • monitor for symptoms
    • maintain physical distancing where possible and get together outdoors
    • practice good hand hygiene
    • avoid visiting high risk settings where possible
    • do a rapid antigen test (RAT) and wear a mask if they need to visit a high-risk setting
    • talk to their doctor about testing advice if they are at higher risk of severe illness.
Protect others in your household
  • Physically separate from people you live with, where possible.
  • Take extra care to remain separate from any members of your household who are at higher risk of severe illness.
  • Practise good hand hygiene.

How do I manage a baby or child with COVID-19?

Most children who test positive for COVID-19 can be safely cared for at home by their usual carers.

Keep a close eye on your child’s symptoms. Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222 if your child has any of the following:

  • persistent fever, above 39°C that does not improve with treatment
  • moderate vomiting or diarrhoea.

If your child is seriously unwell

If you are concerned your child is seriously unwell, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Tell the phone operator your child has COVID-19.

Serious symptoms to look out for can include:

  • difficulty breathing
  • drinking much less than normal
  • producing much less urine (wee) than the usual amount
  • severe dehydration or fainting
  • being unable to stand or walk.

Staying mentally well

Your mental health is important. Look after yourself by moving your body and staying connected with loved ones. Talk to someone when you need help or reach out to these trusted services:
 

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Guidance on protecting other people

Advice for parents of children in childcare and schools

Find out what COVID-safe measures are in place at NSW early childhood education centres and schools.

Visiting people in high-risk settings

If you're visiting someone in aged care or disability care, find out what you can do to keep them safe.

Easy Read and translated resources

Easy Read information on COVID-19

In-language and translated COVID-19 support

Contact us and find translation help

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