COVID-19
Om Covid-19 - engelskaCOVID-19 is caused by a virus. Most people who get COVID-19 feel like they have a cold. Some people get very sick and need hospital care.
COVID-19 is caused by a virus that belongs to a group of viruses called coronaviruses.
The disease is found in many parts of the world. That is why it is called a pandemic.
Choose a region at the top of the page for more information about what applies where you currently are..
COVID-19 vaccine
There is a vaccine against COVID-19. The vaccine will protect you from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19
For most people, COVID-19 feels like a regular cold or the flu.
Most people get better after about a week. Some people are sick for longer.
These are the common symptoms of COVID-19:
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- loss of smell or taste
- headache
- muscle aches
- nausea
- stomach pain
- diarrhoea
- difficulty breathing
- tiredness.
Some people get very sick
Some people get much sicker after about a week. You may have trouble breathing and feel really weak.
The risk is greater the older you are.
The risk increases if you are severely overweight.
You are also at increased risk if you are pregnant.
Some diseases can also put you at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.
Most people do not need to get tested for COVID-19
It is important that you stay home if you are sick. Most people do not need to get tested. Read more in the text called Getting tested for COVID-19.
When and where should I seek treatment?
Most people who get COVID-19 do not need medical care. The illness usually goes away on its own.
Call 1177 for help on what to do. Your call will be answered by a nurse. If needed, they can also tell you where to go for treatment.
The nurses speak Swedish and English. Help is sometimes available in other languages.
Call +46 771-11 77 00 if you are calling from a phone with a foreign number.
If you need urgent care
Contact a healthcare centre or an out-of-hours service if you have one or more of the following problems:
- You are rapidly becoming much sicker.
- You have trouble breathing even when you are resting.
If you cannot get in touch with the healthcare centre or out-of-hours service, you should seek treatment at an emergency department.
How COVID-19 is transmitted
COVID-19 is usually transmitted when a person with the disease sneezes or coughs, and virus droplets are formed. You can get infected if you get these droplets into your body.
The droplets can also land on different things. When you touch those things, there is a chance that the virus will get into your body. The risk of getting sick from this is small.
If you have COVID-19, you can infect other people even if you do not feel sick yourself.
If you are pregnant
It may be very tough if you get sick while pregnant.
If you have not been vaccinated, you are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill.
The baby could also be born prematurely if you get sick during the second half of your pregnancy.
You may need to give birth by caesarean section if you get COVID-19.
Talk to your midwife or doctor. They can give you advice.
Most pregnant women who are vaccinated do not get seriously ill.
If you are breastfeeding
You can breastfeed your baby if you have COVID-19.
You can get advice and help from the children’s healthcare centre (BVC).
Treatment
Most people do not need any treatment for COVID-19. There are things you can do to feel better.
Some people need to be treated at a hospital. For example, some people get oxygen at the hospital to help them breathe better.
Some people get so sick that they need to be put on a ventilator. In such cases, they are put under anaesthesia, which means they are in a state of sleep. This is called intensive care.
Read more about COVID-19 in English
More information about COVID-19
Call 08-123 680 00 if you have any questions about COVID-19 and want to talk to someone who speaks English. The phone line is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:00.