Respiratory illnesses
Symptoms of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
You may not know if you have COVID-19 or another respiratory illness, such as flu, as the symptoms are often similar.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness:
- Follow public health guidance
- Stay at home if you have a positive COVID-19 test result, or if you have a high temperature or feel unwell.
- If you need medical advice, contact your College nurse, a GP or NHS 111.
Practical safety measures to avoid the spread of respiratory illnesses
- Ventilation: You're less likely to catch COVID-19 from an infectious person if you're outdoors or in a well-ventilated indoor space.
- meet outside
- keep doors and windows open
- leaving time between meetings in an enclosed space to allow the air to change over
- Hand hygiene - Washing your hands regularly is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other infections.
- Face-coverings
- Consider wearing a face covering when coming into close contact with people at an increased risk of becoming seriously unwell from COVID-19 or other communicable diseases.
- Please show consideration for individuals who wish to continue wearing a face covering.