Only people with COVID-19 symptoms need to get tested –
- A high temperature
- OR new, continuous cough
- OR loss or change to sense of smell or taste
Use the NHS 111 online symptom checker if you’re not sure
| Symptoms | Covid-19 Mild to severe |
Cold Gradual onset |
Flu Rapid onset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever/high temperature (37.8 degrees C or above) | Common | Rare | Common |
| New cough | Common (usually dry and continuous, with no mucus or phlegm produced) | Sometimes | Common (usually dry) |
| Recent loss or change to sense of taste or smell | Common | Rare | No |
| Fatigue | Sometimes (common in children) | Sometimes | Common |
| Sneezing | No | Common | No |
| Aches and pains | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Rare | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes |
| Diarrhoea | Rare (sometimes in children) | No | Sometimes (for children) |
| Headaches | Sometimes | Rare | Common |
| Shortness of breath | Sometimes | No | No |
This symptom checker is also available as a PDF to download or print.