What may happen if I have to go into hospital with coronavirus?
What may happen if I have to go into hospital with coronavirus?

Some people who have coronavirus do not know they have coronavirus.
They feel well, or feel as if they have a cold.

Some people who have coronavirus feel poorly.

People who have coronavirus may:
- have a high temperature
- have a cough
- lose of have a change in their sense of smell or taste.

Most people who have coronavirus will self-isolate at home and will start to feel better after a few days.

If you have to go to hospital it will be because you need more help to get better.
If you have coronavirus you might have to go to hospital if:
- you are finding it very hard to breathe.
- a doctor or NHS111 has told you to go to hospital.
If you have to go to hospital you will need to take some things with you.
You should take:
- toiletries like deodorant, soap, shower gel and moisturiser
- clean pyjamas or a nightdress, and your dressing gown and slippers
- things that will keep you busy when you feel better, like books, magazines, music or puzzles
- any medication that you take each day

Remember to take your mobile phone and charger if you might want to use them.

If you have to go to hospital because of coronavirus, the doctors and nurses will have to take special care to make sure that other people do not catch the virus.

They will wear Personal Protective Equipment like glasses, aprons, gloves and face masks.

This is to keep you and other people safe.

You might be in a ward with other people that have coronavirus, or in a room on your own.

You might see other people in hospital who are not very well.

You might feel very poorly when you are in hospital.

If you are finding it hard to breathe, people at the hospital will have equipment to help you.

you might need to wear a mask on your face to give you oxygen.

You might need a special machine called a ventilator to help you breathe.

People at the hospital will be able to give you the right medicines and treatment that you need.

When you start to get better, you will not need the masks or ventilator.

You might want to use the things you brought with you like puzzles, music and books.

If you have a phone you can call family and friends.
It is good to have 1 person that knows how you are and what the hospital is doing to help you get better.

This could be a family member or a
support worker
Support workers
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
.
This person will be able to let everyone know what is happening while you are in hospital.
You might not be allowed visitors at the hospital.

You might be allowed to have 1 person who can visit you like a family member of a support worker.
Visitors might have to wear glasses, aprons. gloves and face masks.

This is to help keep you and other people safe.

For more information about going in to hospital with coronavirus, or visiting someone in hospital who has coronavirus, visit our website.