Coronavirus

The coronavirus is also called SARS-Cov-2 and is spread by coughing, talking or sneezing. Drops of fluid are then released, which the other person inhales or ingests via the hands to the mouth or nose. This virus is highly contagious and now has several variants, such as the Delta variant and the Omnicron variant. These variants can cause different complaints, which differ from person to person.

The symptoms are generally very much like a cold. For example, you could suffer from:

• A runny nose.
• A sore throat.
• Other cold symptoms, like coughing and sneezing.

Other common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Your temperature is above 38°C.
• Loss of taste and smell. This happens quite suddenly and can sometimes last for weeks.

Symptoms which are less common are:

• Pain throughout the body/muscle pain.
• A headache.
• Fatigue.
• Skin abnormalities.
• Irritability/mood swings.
• Dizziness.
• Abdominal pain.
• Diarrhoea.
• Pain in the eyes or an eye infection.
• Confusion.
• Nausea. This may result in vomiting.
• No desire to eat. This can make you lose weight.

Immediately do a self-test if you or someone in your house has developed corona symptoms. Also do this if you have been around someone with corona. You need to make a test appointment with the GGD if the self-test is positive. Then stay home until you receive the results. You will need to go into quarantine if you test positive and follow the following rules:

• You and your other household members will be quarantined for a maximum of 10 days. It’s possible to leave quarantine earlier, but only if you and your other household members have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
• You don’t have to quarantine if you have no symptoms and have been vaccinated for more than 1 week. Or if you have no symptoms and had corona in 2022. Children and students under the age of 18 don’t have to take a test or be quarantined if there are no symptoms.

We recommend you contact the GGD or do a corona self-test if you have any doubts about the quarantine rules.

It’s also important for you to avoid infecting others as much as possible. You can do this by:

• Staying in your own room if you’re infected.
• Coughing into your elbow.
• Immediately throwing away tissues and washing your hands afterwards.
• Keeping a sufficient distance from others. At least 1.5 metres.
• Regularly washing your house, duvet and clothing.
• Regularly washing your hands.
• Sleeping alone if possible. Is your partner lying next to you? Make sure your partner takes a test and follows the same rules.
• Getting vaccinated or having the booster if you’ve already had a first and second vaccination dose. This is recommended, but not compulsory.

Do you have corona and are you at home? Then it’s important to take good care of yourself and your other household members. You can do this by:

• Drinking plenty. Drinking at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water or tea per day.
• Eating sufficient and healthy food.
• Resting and making sure you relax. Not staying in bed for too long, but regularly exercising if you can.
• Wearing thin clothing if you have a fever.
• Stopping smoking. People who smoke are at a greater risk of developing more serious corona complications.

Most people get mild symptoms when they’re infected with the coronavirus. How the symptoms develop will be different for everyone. However, the coronavirus can certainly be very dangerous too. That’s why you should immediately contact your GP or the out-of-hours service if:

• You’re becoming increasing more unwell within a short period of time.
• Your breathing changes or becomes increasingly difficult. For example, while climbing the stairs.
• You’re experiencing worsening fatigue. Even if you’re doing something which doesn’t require a great deal of energy, like sitting in a chair.
• You’re confused.
• You’re over 70 years old and develop a fever.
• You have a chronic illness and/or a compromised immune system, combined with a fever.

Don’t go to your GP first. Stay at home and follow the instructions provided by the assistant or your GP. Your GP will physically examine you in severe cases. He will take the appropriate measures for this, in order to make sure this is done safely.