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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without needing any medical assistance.
Some people can still get very sick even if they are fit and healthy. Older people, people with pre-existing conditions and people with compromised immunity are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness.
We can all stay well by choosing to stay ahead of COVID-19. Choose to stay safe by wearing a mask in indoor settings, getting together in well-ventilated spaces and staying up to date with vaccinations.
COVID-19 symptoms
COVID-19 symptoms vary from mild to severe – speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. Symptoms may appear any time between 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. The symptoms to look for are:
- runny nose
- sore throat
- cough
- shortness of breath
- fever, chills and/or sweats.
Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of smell and taste, loss of appetite.
If you have any of the symptoms listed, however mild, you should seek advice and take a COVID-19 test immediately.
If you test positive for COVID-19, see Checklist for COVID cases for a step-by-step guide to support you through to recovery.
Dial Triple Zero (000) if you are having trouble breathing or have chest pain.
COVID-19 transmission
The World Health Organisation suggests that COVID-19 can be transmitted by contact with respiratory droplets or airborne aerosols from an infected person.
Droplet transmission
A person can be infected with COVID-19 by touching respiratory droplets like saliva, mucus or tears from an infected person. These are spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, talking, or singing.
These droplets can enter your mouth, nose or eyes and cause infection. This can happen by:
- having close face-to-face contact
- being within 1.5 metres of someone with COVID-19
- touching a contaminated surface before touching your face.
Airborne transmission
Airborne aerosols are tiny particles that float in the air.
An infected person can produce aerosols from:
- coughing
- sneezing
- talking
- singing
- breathing.
This means that COVID-19 can be spread through these tiny infectious particles suspended in the air.
Sometimes, the virus can remain in the air for some time in settings such as in indoor spaces with poor ventilation.
Viral shedding
A person with COVID-19 has infected cells in their body which release the virus into the environment. Viral shedding occurs when someone 'sheds' COVID-19 by breathing, sneezing, or coughing, or through their faeces and urine.
After recovering from COVID-19, some people can have non-infectious fragments of the virus left in their bodies for some time. These fragments may still return a positive result in a test for the virus, although this result may be weak and prompt further testing to confirm they are no longer infectious (not an active or new case).
Treatment for COVD-19
Most people can recover from COVID-19 at home.
Antiviral medicines are available for eligible Victorians who have COVID-19 to prevent them from getting so sick that they need hospital care. To see if you may be eligible and for more information, visit COVID-19 antiviral medicines.
Early diagnosis, testing and general supportive care are important.
Difference between COVID-19 and the flu
The virus (called SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 is different from the virus that causes influenza (flu).
COVID-19 spreads more easily and causes severe illness in some people than seasonal influenza.
It can be hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 and flu symptoms – which is why it is necessary that you take a COVID-19 test as symptoms emerge.
The respiratory symptoms caused by the 2 illnesses can be similar and you can avoid catching both by:
- keeping at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others
- staying in well-ventilated indoor spaces
- washing your hands often
- coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue.
Long-term effects of COVID-19
Most people who test positive for COVID-19 recover completely, but some people may develop long COVID where symptoms last beyond 3 months of initial infection.
It may take years before we fully understand the long-term effects of COVID-19.
Recent research is still unclear about how many people who have recovered from the virus experience long-term symptoms but suggest it may be between 5-10%.
The most common long-term symptoms are:
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- chest pain, discomfort or rapid heartbeat
- inability to concentrate or brain fog
- difficulty sleeping
- anxiety or depression
- headache
- reduced ability to smell or taste.
In some people, COVID-19 may cause long-term damage and inflammation to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain. For more information, see Long COVID.
Where to get help
- Visit your GP (doctor)
- Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only
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