Respiratory infections

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While no longer a public health emergency, COVID-19 is still around. It can still cause severe illness, hospitalisation and death, particularly in older people. 

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms can range in severity. Most people recover quickly, while some can get very sick. Others have no symptoms but can still spread the virus. Symptoms can also persist in some people, which is known as long COVID. 

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include: 

• runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat 
• fever 
• headaches, muscle aches and pains 
• fatigue.

Less common symptoms include: 

• vomiting, diarrhoea 
• shortness of breath.

Prevention

You can protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by:

• Staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccination
• Practising good hygiene (e.g. coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue)
• Staying at home if you’re sick with cold and flu symptoms, or wearing a face mask if you need to leave your home
• Improving ventilation, such as by opening windows.

Vaccination

Most Australians have received a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination. Booster vaccines are recommended for certain groups and can be considered by others in consultation with their healthcare provider. From 1 October 2026, COVID-19 booster vaccines are only free for:

• Aged 75 years and over (one dose every 6 months)
• Aged 65–74 years (one dose every 12 months)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 years (one dose every 12 months)
• Aged 18 years and over with severe immunocompromise (one dose every 12 months).

If you aren’t eligible for free boosters, you are able to purchase them. Speak with your healthcare provider about what is right for you.

Diagnosis

There are two different tests used to detect if you have COVID-19; rapid antigen tests (RATs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. RATs can be done at home with kits available from pharmacies and some supermarkets. A swab for a PCR test must be taken by a healthcare provider. 

Treatment

Most people recover without any specific treatment. Mild symptoms can be managed with medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

Antivirals, taken as capsules or tablets, can reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. They are restricted to people at high risk and can only be prescribed by a general practitioner of nurse practitioner. Treatment must start early in symptom onset. If you’re at risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19, talk with your healthcare provider about developing a treatment plan.