What COVID-19 is
COVID-19 is a common and highly contagious respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Most people recover within a few days or weeks, but some people:
- are at greater risk of severe disease
- can continue to be unwell for many months with long COVID.
COVID-19 is different from the flu and a cold. See how symptoms differ between these infections.
Symptoms
If you have serious symptoms – such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain – call 000 immediately.
COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms range from mild or moderate to severe.
Common symptoms include:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath.
It is possible to have COVID-19 and not show any symptoms, or only have very mild symptoms.
You should still test for COVID-19 and follow the suggested guidance.
Long COVID
When COVID-19 symptoms persist after 12 weeks, this is called long COVID. Some people are at greater risk of long COVID.
Long COVID symptoms are not the same as COVID-19 symptoms and can vary greatly between people. Symptoms can include:
- extreme fatigue (tiredness)
- shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain or tightness
- cough
- problems with memory and concentration
- changes to taste and smell
- joint and muscle pain
- numbness or pins and needles
- changes in mood (anxiety, depression or stress).
Read more about long COVID.
How it spreads
COVID-19 spreads through droplets that contain the virus from your nose or throat. When you cough, sneeze or talk, these droplets disperse through the air or land on surfaces.
Other people can then catch COVID-19 by:
- breathing these droplets in
- touching the surfaces where droplets landed, then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
Prevention
The best way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 is to:
- get vaccinated and get your regular boosters – COVID-19 vaccines are free
- stay home if you are sick
- maintain physical distance from others
- maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, including regularly washing your hands
- wear a mask
- avoid contact with people who are in high-risk groups if you are sick
- avoid visiting high-risk settings, such as hospitals or aged care homes, if you are sick.
If you’re exposed
If you come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or are a close contact:
- monitor your symptoms
- get tested for COVID-19 if you are at high risk of severe disease and get symptoms
- take prevention measures
- check to see if your state or territory health agency has guidance to follow.
Read more on what you can do to protect yourself if you are a close contact.
Treatment
If you have serious symptoms – such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain – call 000 immediately.
COVID-19
Most people will be able to manage their treatment and recovery at home.
See your doctor straight away if you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 and you:
- are in a high-risk group
- are pregnant
- have a chronic condition
- have any concerns about your health and symptoms.
There is no cure for COVID-19, but you may be eligible for antiviral medications to help you recover. For them to be most effective, you need to start oral antiviral treatments within 5 days of symptoms starting or testing positive for COVID-19.
Antibiotics are not used to treat COVID-19, because they do not work for viral infections. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Long COVID
There is currently no specific treatment or medication for long COVID.
If you are worried about ongoing symptoms after you’ve had COVID-19, speak to your doctor.
Support
While recovering from COVID-19 you may be eligible for extra at-home, financial or mental health support.
Check to see if your state or territory health agency has guidance to follow around the types of support available to you.
Data and statistics
COVID-19 is a nationally notifiable disease. We monitor and regularly report national statistics on COVID-19 vaccination, treatment, case numbers, deaths, and impacts on high-risk settings.
What we’re doing
We manage COVID-19 like other common communicable diseases, and:
- fund COVID-19 vaccines, so that they are free to all Australians
- subsidise COVID-19 oral treatment under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for eligible people
- develop national guidelines and case definitions
- plan ahead, so that we are ready to manage any outbreak
- fund research to help us better understand and tackle this disease.
Read more about what we are doing about COVID-19.