The NHS has set out which Covid symptoms should prompt an urgent GP appointment or a call to NHS 111, as new data shows both flu and Covid cases are rising in the UK.
Latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal that flu and Covid-19 cases increased in the week to September 24, though flu is "circulating at baseline levels" and Covid levels remain low.
Who can get the autumn Covid vaccine
From October 1, the Covid vaccine is offered to adults aged 75 years and over, people living in care homes for older adults, and people aged six months or over who are immunosuppressed.
Vaccination booking is now open, and eligible people can choose a date from October 1 on the NHS website.
Symptoms and when to seek help
Covid symptoms can include a new and continuous cough, a high temperature, loss of or changes to sense of taste or smell, and feeling exhausted. People with Covid may also experience shortness of breath, headaches, body aches, a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, nausea, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite.
The majority of people recover within a few weeks, though for some it can take considerably longer. In certain cases, the illness can prove more severe, with symptoms potentially persisting for an extended period.
In its guidance, the NHS explains when you should get an "urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111" with Covid. This applies if you or your child has "other signs of illness, such as a rash, loss of appetite, or feeling weak", or if symptoms are getting worse or not getting better.
You should also seek medical attention if you're worried about your or a child's Covid symptoms or are not sure what to do; if you or a child have a high temperature that lasts five days or more or does not come down with paracetamol; if a child under three months old has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature; and if a child three to six months old has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature.
Further advice on what to do if you have Covid-19 can be found on the NHS website.
