What are the symptoms of COVID and when should I get a test?
The symptoms of COVID-19 vary from person to person and can be similar to a cold or the flu. Here's what you need to know about the virus and when you should get a COVID test. Click on a link below to jump to the answer. The symptoms of COVID-19 are wide ranging, and everyone who gets the virus will experience it a little differently. A person can experience just one symptom or mild symptoms, or severe symptoms that require urgent medical attention. A person can also have COVID-19 and be infectious but not feel or show any symptoms (this is known as asymptomatic). The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:  fever (37.5C or higher)  fever (37.5C or higher) night sweats or chills  night sweats or chills coughing  coughing fatigue  fatigue sore throat  sore throat headache  headache runny nose or congestion  Other symptoms of COVID-19 include:  muscle or joint pain  muscle or joint pain loss of smell  loss of smell loss of taste  loss of taste diarrhoea  diarrhoea vomiting or nausea  vomiting or nausea loss of appetite  Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include:  shortness of breath or difficulty breathing  shortness of breath or difficulty breathing chest pain or pressure  chest pain or pressure loss of speech or movement  If you have severe symptoms, call triple-0 for urgent medical help. For more information about COVID-19, call the free 24-hour National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. To check your symptoms online, visit the Australian Government's healthdirect Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker. The highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 is becoming the predominant strain of the virus. The symptoms of the flu or a cold are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19. The only way to know which one a person has is with a COVID-19 test. Allergies can also have similar symptoms to COVID-19, however there are some key differences between the two. Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, but does not occur with allergies. Allergy symptoms can also include itchy or watery eyes, and sneezing. Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear between 1 to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus. A person with COVID-19 can also be asymptomatic  meaning they do not feel or show any symptoms but can still be infectious to others. It is common for mild symptoms of COVID-19 to last for up to two weeks. However, some people can experience symptoms of the virus for several weeks or months  this is known as long COVID. People with long COVID have reported feeling extreme tiredness and fatigue, difficulty breathing and lingering "brain fog". Research into long COVID is ongoing, but an Australian study has estimated about one in three people who get COVID-19 will go on to have long COVID. Another Australian study into people recovering from severe COVID-19 has indicated about two in three people have ongoing issues. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get a test as soon as possible, even if the symptoms are mild. You may also be directed to have a COVID-19 test if you have been in contact with someone who has the virus, visited an exposure site or if you are undertaking mandatory quarantine. National health guidelines state if you test negative for COVID-19 but still have symptoms, you should stay home until the symptoms stop. If you have had a COVID vaccine, you should still get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms. You can get a COVID-19 test at a testing clinic or some GP clinics. If you want to book a COVID test with your GP, it is important that you call ahead and tell them about your symptoms and any possible exposure to the virus from travel or contacts. COVID-19 tests are free in Australia; however you may have to pay your GP a consultation fee if they don't offer bulk billing. Click on a link below to find a COVID testing clinic in your state or territory. It may take up to two days to receive the results of your COVID-19 test. How you receive your test result will depend on where you had your test. You should stay home until you get your test result. This article has compiled information from the Australian Department of Health, healthdirect, state and territory health departments, and the World Health Organization.