COVID-19 positive – how to manage your symptoms

This page describes some of the common COVID-19 symptoms and suggests some ways you can manage them.

On this page, you can find the following information:

• Fever
• Headaches and body aches
• Blocked or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Vomiting (being sick) or diarrhoea (runny poo/hamuti)
  
• When to seek medical advice

Managing your COVID symptoms

The following video provides a simple summary of the key things you can do to manage common symptoms. More information about each option is further below. 

(Source: Health Navigator NZ, January 2022)

View transcript.

Fever

Fever is your body’s way of fighting infection and is a common symptom of COVID-19. If you have a high temperature, it can help if you get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.

• Make sure the room temperature is comfortable (not too hot or too cold).
• If possible, open a window for fresh air but avoid draughts.
• Wear lightweight clothing and use lighter bedding.
• Use a cool cloth to wash your face, hands and neck.
• Change bed linen and clothing regularly, especially if they are wet from sweat. 
• Do not use hot water bottles or electric blankets.

Read more about fever.

Headaches and body aches

Body aches due to COVID-19 can feel like a dull, aching sensation in your muscles. This sensation could affect one or several parts of your body and may range from mild to severe.

Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with headaches and body aches. A bath may also be soothing.

Blocked or runny nose 

Use saline nose drops or spray to help soothe or clear a stuffy nose. Medicated decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Drixine®) and xylometazoline (Otrivin®) may also be helpful but be aware that they are only for short term use. Do not use them for longer than 7 days. If you use them for longer than this, a rebound more severe congestion of your nose can happen. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which medication will be the best for you. 

Steam inhalation for adults: If it is something you like to do, and have found helpful for clearing a blocked nose in the past, make sure the water isn't too hot and be careful carrying containers of hot water – especially when there are tamariki around. Some people add eucalyptus oil or other essential oils to the water, thinking that the scented steam will clear their blocked nose. Take care when using essential oils and keep them out of reach of children. Read more about steam inhalation and essential oils.  

Steam inhalation for children: This is not recommended for children, so it is best to find a different way of managing your tamariki with blocked noses. 

Some people find using vapour rubs soothing and helps relieve nose and chest congestion. Vapour rubs are ointments that contain essential oils such as menthol, camphor and eucalyptus. They are usually applied to your skin, on your throat, chest or back. Rub gently and leave clothes loose to allow vapours to be inhaled easily. 

Some brands of paper tissues are eucalyptus scented and these may help with a blocked nose too. 

Sore throat

Suck a teaspoon of honey, gargle with salt water, or gargle with warm water to ease a sore throat. Sucking on sugar-free lollies or lozenges also helps. You can also try using a gargle, throat spray or pain-relief (anaesthetic) lozenges.

If your throat is very sore, making it hard to swallow, try slightly thicker fluids than water, eg, smoothies, yoghurt or custard. These runny foods may make it easier to swallow tablets with as well.

If your throat is so sore that you are having problems drinking the amount of water or other drinks you need to stay well hydrated, talk to your doctor. Some of your medicines may need to be adjusted if you are not drinking as much fluid as usual.   

Cough

If you have a cough, it's best to avoid lying on your back. Lie on your side or sit upright instead. 

You may find sucking honey or sipping a hot drink helps ease your cough. It can help to sooth the scratchiness in the back of your throat.

There are a number of cough medicines available on the market. They may be sold in combination with other medicines in cold and cough products, or as cough mixtures or cough lozenges. Cough medicine doesn’t cure a cough but may give you some relief from it. There is little evidence to suggest that cough medicine is any more effective than simple home remedies and they're not suitable for everyone. If you are unsure talk to your pharmacist.

Vomiting (being sick) or diarrhoea (runny poo)

Some people with COVID-19 may get diarrhoea (runny poo), feel sick (nausea), or be sick (vomiting). These symptoms should usually settle within a few days. 

Avoid dehydration

The most important thing is to drink plenty of fluids, to avoid dehydration. 

• Try sucking ice cubes or ice blocks if you are having trouble keeping fluids down.
• Drink oral rehydration drinks such as Gastrolyte® (available from pharmacies).
• Eat when you feel able to – you don't need to eat or avoid eating any specific foods. Some people find eating bland foods such as crackers, rice or dry toast helpful.

Fizzy drinks, undiluted juices, tea, coffee and sports drinks are not suitable because of their high sugar content. High sugar content is likely to make diarrhoea worse. Read more about dehydration. 

Nausea

• Eat when you feel able to – you don't need to eat or avoid eating any specific foods. Some people find eating bland foods such as crackers, rice or dry toast helpful.
• Some people find ginger helpful, taken as ginger tea, ginger-containing foods like soups, or ginger capsules.  

If these symptoms are ongoing, talk to your doctor as they may recommend anti-nausea medicines. 

Other common symptoms

Learn more about how to manage other symptoms:

• Positions to make your breathing easier
• Managing tiredness (fatigue)

When to seek medical advice

It's important to know when to seek medical advice and the following video and table will help you know when and what action to take. 

(Source: Health Navigator NZ, January 2022)

References

1. Steam inhalation and paediatric burns during the COVID-19 pandemic The Lancet, May 2020