COVID-19 Essentials

A high temperature, also known as a fever, is one of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms of COVID-19. 

A normal temperature is usually around 37° Celcius, although this can vary slightly from person to person.

When you have a high temperature, you'll usually be 38° Celcius or over.

If your fever is a symptom of Coronavirus, you'll usually be able to feel that you're warmer than usual when you touch your chest or back, and may not need a thermometer to test this.

You may have heard the term ‘PPE’ a lot during the pandemic - but what does it mean?

PPE stands for personal protective equipment, which means anything worn by one person to protect themselves against health and safety hazards.

This can include face coverings, gloves, aprons and visors.

PPE helps to prevent the spread of infection by keeping you from coming into contact with particles, airborne droplets, or contaminated surfaces.

Viruses and infections can all spread like this, so putting an extra layer of protection between you and any bacteria or particles can help to reduce your chances of catching illnesses such as COVID-19.

However, it’s important to remember that you’ll only get the best out of your PPE if you put it on and remove it safely, avoiding contact with any potentially contaminated PPE.

Respirator masks are an essential part of PPE when you’re trying to avoid the spread of infection, but may not be suitable for those who have beards.

Respirator masks need to be able to create a seal around your mouth so their filtration system can be as effective as possible, and facial hair can interfere with this.

You may need to shave or trim your beard or facial hair so you can wear a face mask properly, or consider buying alternative PPE such as a hood or helmet.

If you know you are going to be in an enclosed space, such as a shop or train, the government has advised that you wear a face mask.

This is because you will be in contact with people who are not in your household, in an environment where social distancing isn’t possible and face masks are useful to help prevent the spread of the virus from person to person.

Similarly, advice published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that anyone who is coughing or sneezing or looking after a person with COVID-19, should wear a face mask.

It is said that sharing is caring, but no one will thank you for sharing a potentially deadly disease.

it’s common to lose your sense of smell after having a virus or upper respiratory tract infection, and as COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) is a viral infection it may also cause post-infectious loss of smell.

A recent press release from ENT UK and the British Rhinological Society tells us that,

“Post-viral anosmia is one of the leading causes of loss of sense of smell in adults, accounting for up to 40% cases of anosmia.

Viruses that give rise to the common cold are well known to cause post-infectious loss, and over 200 different viruses are known to cause upper respiratory tract infections.”

It goes on to state,

“Previously described coronaviruses are thought to account for 10-15% cases.

It is therefore perhaps no surprise that the novel COVID-19 virus would also cause anosmia in infected patients.”