Advice if you have COVID-19

It is important to drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever or cough.

It may feel nice to drink something hot or cold if you have a sore throat. Drink water, tea, broth or soup, for example. You can also eat ice cream, popsicles or yogurt.

It is a good idea to lie with your head elevated. This helps if you are coughing a lot.

It is a good idea to have extra pillows under your head while you sleep.

It may feel nice to keep the room where you sleep cool.

For example, you can turn the heating down or open a window.

You need to rest when you are sick. But it is not a good idea to lie still for too long.

Try to move around a few times a day.

Here are some examples of what you can try:

• Move your legs and feet.
• Change which side you are lying on from time to time.
• Sit up or stand up sometimes.

When you are feeling better, you can try to go outside and get a little exercise. Do not do more than you can handle.

You can take medicines with paracetamol if you have a high fever. These medicines are available without a prescription.

Children over six months old can take medicines with paracetamol. If the child is younger than six months, you need to ask a doctor first.

If you have a sore throat, try throat lozenges.

You can use nose drops or nasal spray if your nose is stuffy. There are non-prescription nose drops and nasal sprays that contain saline solution.

There are also non-prescription nose drops and nasal sprays that reduce swelling in the nose. You should not use these kinds of nose drops or nasal sprays for more than ten days.

Try not to smoke or be where other people smoke. Smoke will make your cough worse.

You may feel lonely if you need to stay home. Many people find it hard not to see the people they normally see.

Try to keep in touch with friends and family anyway. For example, you can call each other.

It is good to try to do things at the same time as you normally would. For example, you can get up and eat breakfast at the same time you usually do.

Call 1177 for help on what to do. Your call will be answered by a nurse. If you start feeling worse, they can also tell you where to go for treatment.

The nurses speak Swedish and English.

Call +46 771-11 77 00 if you are calling from a phone with a foreign number.

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.