• Spread the word and share the top symptoms
• What are the top symptoms of COVID-19?
• What should I do if I have symptoms?
• What can I do to help monitor the symptoms?

Our research shows there's more to COVID than the three classic symptoms, but many people remain unaware of all the symptoms we should be looking out for. This leaves people at risk of wrongly believing they have a cold, when in fact they could have COVID. 

In countries where there is limited or no testing available, symptom recognition is of major importance. 

The most powerful thing we can do to prevent the spread of COVID is to know how to recognise its symptoms, so we can stay at home and stop the spread.

Spread the word and share the top symptoms

Help us spread the message by sharing this graphic with everyone so we can all #beclearonCOVID

It’s vital we all know how to spot COVID, so we can stay at home and stop the spread. 

So right-click and hit save to share this image with your friends and family.

If you have any of these symptoms, please be cautious, get tested and avoid social contact until you know it’s not COVID. 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Here is the current list of the most important symptoms to look for in COVID-19:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Persistent cough
• Fever
• Loss of taste and smell

You can check out our symptom series blog for more information on each symptom.

‍What should I do if I have symptoms?

If you’ve been vaccinated and start sneezing or coughing a lot without an explanation, you should stay home and get a COVID test, especially if you’re living or working around people who are at greater risk from the disease. 

Sneezing and coughing is a key way that viruses spread. Try to cover all coughs and sneezes with tissue or the inside of your elbow to minimise the spread of droplets. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth until you wash your hands.

Sneezing and coughing a lot could be a potential sign that someone vaccinated has COVID-19 and, however mild, should take a test and self-isolate to protect their friends, family and colleagues.

Another key symptom of COVID infection is loss of smell or taste, so if you notice you’re experiencing this be sure to take a lateral flow or PCR test to confirm.

Log your symptoms now to get a free PCR test.

Whether you’ve had both COVID jabs or not, we all still need to be careful to follow the advice on ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ to protect your own health as well as those around you in your family, workplace and community.

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What can I do to help monitor the symptoms?

Our results are based on your vaccine records and daily symptom reports, so it’s really important that you continue to log your symptoms with ZOE in order for us to continue monitoring regional hotspots, and the changing symptom ranking. 

As we have found, even people who have had two doses of the vaccination can still be susceptible to contracting COVID as no vaccine is 100% effective. Those who have already been infected are also prone to infection, since we’ve found it doesn’t guarantee protective anti-n antibodies. The symptoms and severity of the illness differs depending on how many vaccinations you’ve had, if any.

Your daily reports are crucial to helping us keep track of symptoms and infections in the UK, and are still a vital tool used by the government every day.

Stay safe and keep logging.