This is what to do if you have a continuous cough, a high temperature or anosmia

A new and continuous cough is a common symptom of Covid-19 (Shutterstock)A new and continuous cough is a common symptom of Covid-19 (Shutterstock)
A new and continuous cough is a common symptom of Covid-19 (Shutterstock)

The public had been warned that a continuous cough and a high temperature were key symptoms of coronavirus, but now another symptom has been added.

The government’s guidelines explain that members of the public should self-isolate for seven days if they are experiencing either of the three symptoms.

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Further guidelines advised that if you are living with someone exhibiting either symptom, you should stay at home for 14 days.

Continuous cough, high fever and anosmia definitions

According to the NHS, members of the public should self-isolate for seven days if they have a new and continuous cough, a fever or anosmia.

Public Health note that any temperature of 37.8C (100F) or more can be defined as a high temperature.

A new an continuous cough “means you've started coughing repeatedly” according to the NHS.

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Anosmia is a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

What should I do if myself or someone in my household suffer from either symptom?

Public Health England have recommended that anyone suffering with either symptoms take the following steps:

- if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

- it is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

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- for anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period. (See ending isolation section below for more information

- if you can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period

- if you cannot move vulnerable people out of your home, stay away from them as much as possible

- if you have coronavirus symptoms: do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, you do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home, testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home

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- plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household

- ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home

- wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser

- if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

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When can I stop self-isolating?

Public Health England said that if you feel better after 7 days of self-isolating “you can return to your normal routine.”

If, on the other hand, you have not shown signs of improvement, you should contact NHS 111 online, or by phone if you have no internet access.

Cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean you must continue to self-isolate for more than 7 days.

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