18 August 2021
From: www.covid19.govt.nz
COVID-19 symptoms
Symptoms can include one or more of the following:
- sneezing and runny nose
- a new or worsening cough
- sore throat
- a fever of at least 38°C
- shortness of breath
- temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
- diarrhoea
- headache
- muscle pain or body aches
- nausea and vomiting.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are like other illnesses that are much more common, such as colds and flu.
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor, Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your iwi health provider.
Time for symptoms to appear
Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show after infection. A person with COVID-19 can pass it on to others from up to 2 days before showing symptoms.
Sometimes people may have COVID-19, but not have any symptoms.
If you have any symptoms
Talk to a health professional
If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call:
- Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453
- your doctor, or
- your iwi health provider.
A health professional will tell you whether you fit the criteria for testing. Call your doctor before visiting.
If you are outside New Zealand call +64 9 358 5453 or your doctor.
While you have symptoms
- Stay home. Do not go to work or school. Do not socialise.
- Call your doctor or Healthline and check if you should get tested.
- Wash your hands often.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow, and disinfect shared surfaces often.
- If health authorities tell you to self-isolate, do so immediately. If you are waiting for test results you will also need to self-isolate.
Information about testing for COVID-19
How COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19 is usually spread from person to person. When an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs, sneezes or sings, they may spread particles containing the virus.
These particles range in size. Larger and heavier particles — droplets — quickly fall to the ground or other surfaces within seconds or minutes. Smaller particles — aerosols — can remain airborne for minutes to hours. Spread of the virus by aerosols appears to be more important than previously thought.
The risk of airborne transmission becomes higher:
- in enclosed spaces that do not have good airflow
- in crowded places with many people nearby
- in close-contact settings, such as close-range conversations, singing, or shouting.
The risk is lower outside, with fewer people, and if people are widely spread.
How to protect yourself and others
These simple steps can slow the spread of the virus and help protect you, your whānau, and your community from COVID-19.
- If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call your doctor or Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453.
- Regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
- Keep a 2 metre distance from people you do not know.
- Clean or disinfect shared surfaces often.
- Wear a face covering.
- Keep track of where you have been with the NZ COVID Tracer app.
Long COVID
Long COVID describes the symptoms that continue or develop after the initial COVID-19 symptoms. This is usually longer than 4 weeks after a person is first infected.
Most people who get COVID-19 recover completely. However, some people report a range of symptoms beyond the standard time of recovery.
Symptoms of long COVID can persist for weeks or sometimes months. They can include:
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- cough
- low mood
- headaches
- difficulty concentrating, cognitive impairment or ‘brain fog’
- chest pain
- joint pain
- muscle aches and pains
- muscle weakness
- ongoing changes to smell or taste
- fast-beating or a ‘pounding’ heart
- sleep disturbances.
For support with management and treatment of long COVID, seek help from your doctor or healthcare team.
You can find more information about long COVID on the Ministry of Health website.