Ask the Doc: What is the first thing I should do if I develop Covid symptoms (and how do I book a test)?
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Symptoms of Coronavirus are:
continuous cough
fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater)
loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia)
A new continuous cough is where you:
have a new cough that’s lasted for an hour
have had 3 or more episodes of coughing in 24 hours
are coughing more than usual
If you develop any symptom of Covid-19, no matter how mild, you should immediately self-isolate and book a test. Isolating means you and all household members or extended household members should remain at home and shouldn’t go to work, school, public areas or use public transport. You should not go out to buy food or other essentials. Do not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital. While at home you should isolate from other household members as much as possible- this means sleeping in different rooms if that’s possible, using different cutlery, different towels, etc.
Tests can be booked online via the self-help guide on NHS Inform. Phone the coronavirus helpline (0800 028 2816) if you can’t access the test form online or need help to complete it. Please note that 111 is for people who are unwell and need an assessment of their symptoms and cannot arrange a test for you.
You should remain at home until you get the result of the test, and then follow the advice you will be given based on the result. It’s very important that you stay at home if you have symptoms that may be caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). You should also stay at home if someone you live with or someone in your extended household has symptoms.
Household isolation will help to control the spread of the virus to friends, the wider community and the most vulnerable. If you have symptoms and are isolating, please do not call 111 unless your symptoms have persisted or gotten worse. All current information on COVID-19, including advice on isolating, how to book a test, and when to seek further medical advice, is available at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.
