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  • Infection & Virus

Covid 19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

SARS-CoV-2

The virus that causes COVID-19

Mild–Mod

Most people experience mild to moderate illness

Any age

Anyone can become seriously ill or die

Long COVID

Some experience long-term symptoms after recovery

  • Symptoms
  • Long-term symptoms
  • COVID-19 myths
  • Immunization & prevention
  • Diagnosis

Current updates

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If you are suffering from severe lung disease, a lung transplant may be your last treatment option to survive. A lung transplant can offer hope, but it can be a complex process that comes with health risks.

COVID-19 symptoms

Recognising COVID-19

The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person, in different age groups, and depending on the COVID-19 variant.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses such as the flu and common cold and may include one or more of the following:

Sore throat

Runny nose

New or worsening cough

Sneezing

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Temperature equal to or more than 38°

Feeling feverish

Chills

Fatigue or weakness

Muscle or body aches

New loss of smell or taste

Headache

Abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting

  • If you don't feel well
If you don’t feel well or if you have any symptoms, even if mild, assume you may have COVID-19. Immediately isolate at home and away from others. Check with your local public health authority for more advice, including where and how to get tested if recommended.
  • You may be infected but not have symptoms
You can still spread the virus to others. You may develop symptoms later (be pre-symptomatic) or never develop symptoms (be asymptomatic). If you’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, contact your local public health authority for advice on what to do next.

COVID-19 myths

Setting the record straight

  • The vaccine isn't safe and will make me sick. I can protect myself with supplements. "I am a pharmacist, I know the vaccine is safe and won't make me sick while the virus can affect anyone, not just the young and elderly. Supplements are not a cure. To be a good role model, I get immunized which reduces my risk of getting sick as well as infecting other people."

    "As a firefighter, I can be called to an emergency at any time. Getting immunized lets me do my job to keep people safe. The short-term minor aches and tiredness is nothing compared to being sick, and off work for who knows how long."
    The vaccine isn't safe and will make me sick. I can protect myself with supplements.
  • Only the very young, very old and people who are already unwell get really sick. "I had COVID-19 while unvaccinated even though I was healthy and in my twenties. It led to being in hospital, was expensive and I had to miss my university graduation. I still get post-COVID symptoms. I now get immunized to manage my health, so I don't miss out again."
    Only the very young, very old and people who are already unwell get really sick.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine has caused more deaths than COVID-19 itself. "Since their introduction in December 2020, COVID-19 vaccines have reduced deaths due to the pandemic by at least 57%, saving more than 1.4 million lives in Europe alone."
    The COVID-19 vaccine has caused more deaths than COVID-19 itself.
  • The vaccine changes my DNA. "The vaccine delivers instructions to teach the body's immune system how to make a protein that fights COVID-19. After it does this it immediately breaks down and it never enters the nucleus, where DNA is kept in cells."
    The vaccine changes my DNA.

Other prevention strategies

In addition to vaccinations, there are other things you can do to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 or spreading it to others:

  • Learn more
To learn more about COVID-19 prevention and risk, including information about COVID-19 mask use, visit Health Canada – Prevention and Risks.

Immunization and prevention

Protecting yourself and others

There are several strategies to prevent COVID-19 infection. The most important is vaccinations.

Immunizations

Immunization for COVID-19 help protect you and others from getting COVID-19 and from developing serious outcomes including death. There are several immunizations available in Canada and research around vaccinations, including booster shots, is continuously evolving.

For your health and well-being, it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 immunizations and booster shots.

For additional information about COVID-19 immunizations visit:

Other prevention strategies

In addition to vaccinations, there are other things you can do to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 or spreading it to others:

  • Learn more
To learn more about COVID-19 prevention and risk, including information about COVID-19 mask use, visit Health Canada – Prevention and Risks.

Diagnosis

Getting tested for COVID-19

 If you believe you have COVID-19, the first step is to get a test to diagnose it. There are 3 types of tests:

  • Self-Testing (rapid antigen test) Safe, gentle, easy to use, and provides results within 15 minutes. It only takes a few seconds to collect a sample using a swab that goes into the soft part of each nostril. The tests can be done almost anywhere, at any time. If you are experiencing mild cold-like symptoms including cough, sore throat or sneezing without fever, it is recommended that you stay home, use rapid antigen testing and self-isolate if you test positive.
    Self-Testing (rapid antigen test)
  • PCR Testing Detects the presence of viral RNA. It is very accurate and efficient. This test can detect a COVID-19 infection even before you become infectious, allowing for early isolation.
    PCR Testing
  • Antibody Testing (serology) Does not diagnose a current COVID-19 infection. A positive serology (blood) test means you have antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19, either because you had a COVID-19 infection, you were vaccinated against COVID-19, or both. The test cannot tell how long ago you may have been infected or determine if you're protected from reinfection.
    Antibody Testing (serology)

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