Coronavirus, and other respiratory infections such as flu, can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines help to build up your immunity to the virus, so your body will fight it off more easily if it affects you. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. Some people may still get coronavirus despite having a vaccine, but any illness should be less severe. There’s still a chance you might catch coronavirus, or another respiratory infection, if you’re vaccinated, and pass it on to other people.
Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test. You can still access testing if you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for coronavirus treatments.
To prevent the spread of infection, you should stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you’re unwell. When you no longer have a fever (if you had one) and don’t need medicine to control your fever, you can return to normal activities. For example, work, school, and social events. There’s no specific time limit you need to avoid contact with others. You can use 48 hours as a rough guide.
Symptoms of coronavirus include:
You might continue to have a cough or feel tired after your other symptoms have improved. This does not mean that you’re still infectious.
Antibiotics will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
You or your child:
If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999.
It’s particularly important to get help if you’re at increased risk of becoming more unwell from coronavirus such as if you’re pregnant, aged 60 or over, or have a weakened immune system.
Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.
There are things you can do to reduce the spread of infection if you have symptoms or have tested positive.
To prevent the spread of infection, you should stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you’re unwell. When you no longer have a fever (if you had one) and don’t need medicine to control your fever, you can return to normal activities. For example, work, school, and social events. There’s no specific time limit you need to avoid contact with others. You can use 48 hours as a rough guide.
If you have respiratory symptoms:
In older adult care homes, residents who have tested positive for coronavirus should self-isolate for at least 5 days and until they’ve been fever-free for at least 48 hours without taking medicine to control their temperature.
Respiratory infections are common in children and young people, particularly during the winter months. Symptoms can be caused by several respiratory infections including the common cold, coronavirus and RSV.
Children and young people with mild symptoms who are otherwise well can continue to attend their education setting. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough.
If a child or young person aged 18 or under tests positive or has respiratory symptoms, they should stay at home. When they no longer have a fever (if they had one), and don’t need medicine to control the fever, they can return to normal activities. There’s no specific time limit they need to avoid contact with others. You can use 48 hours as a rough guide.
Children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults.
For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious. They’ll soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.
Very few children and young people with respiratory infections become seriously unwell.
Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive coronavirus test result should continue to attend as normal.
The Self-Isolation Support Grant closed on 5 January 2023. Visit the Scottish Government’s Cost of Living support to find out about other financial help available.
Last updated:
01 August 2024