COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. While no longer a public health emergency, COVID-19 is still around. You can take steps to protect yourself and others, especially when cases increase in the community.

Who is most at risk?

COVID-19 can affect anyone, but it’s more serious for some people, including:

• Older people
• People with existing health problems (including lung disease)
• Pregnant women.

People in these groups should take extra care to protect themselves.

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms can range in severity. Some people recover quickly, while others can get very sick. Others have no symptoms (asymptomatic) but can still spread the virus.

Common symptoms are: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Changes to smell or taste. 

Other symptoms can include:

• Tiredness
• Muscle pains
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Runny or blocked nose, sneezing
• Chest pain
• Stomach or bowel issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea
• Dizziness or confusion.

People are usually only contagious with COVID-19 for up to 10 days after they start having symptoms. Most people who get COVID-19 recover completely. Symptoms can persist in some people, which is known as long COVID.

Prevention

The best way to protect yourself and others is to:

• Stay up to date with your COVID vaccinations 
• Practice good hygiene and hand washing 
• Stay home if you’re sick, and try to avoid close contact with others who are sick.

Vaccines

The best protection against COVID-19 is to stay up to date with your vaccinations. Check the Department of Health and Aged Care website for the latest advice and speak with your healthcare team to make sure you are up to date and protected. COVID vaccinations are free and available from medical clinics and pharmacies across Australia.

Diagnosis

There are two different tests that are commonly used to detect if you have the COVID-19 virus; rapid antigen tests (RATs) and polymerase chain reaction tests (PCRs). 

Talk to your doctor about which test is best and what to do if you test positive. Having a plan is vital if you’re at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

Treatment

Antiviral treatment

If you test positive, you might be able to get antiviral treatment if you are:

• 70 or older
• 50-69 with two other risk factors
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 30 or older and with one other risk factor
• Someone with a weak immune system
• Someone who has been hospitalised before from COVID-19

Other risk factors include living in aged care, having long-term health problems (like lung disease), or living far away from healthcare. Talk to your doctor about whether antiviral treatment is right for you. Check the Department of Health and Aged Care website for eligibility.