Most people with COVID-19 experience mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. However, in severe cases, breathing difficulties can progress to pneumonia. Children may generally experience milder symptoms than adults. The most at-risk groups for serious infection include people aged 70 or older, those with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pregnant women.

In many cases, you can manage mild COVID-19 symptoms at home. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has created a helpful guide for managing COVID at home, which includes an action plan and a symptom diary. This diary can help you track your symptoms and progress. If you're feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or your symptoms worsen, you should seek medical advice from a doctor. If you experience severe difficulty breathing, call triple zero (000) immediately. If you meet certain criteria, you may also be eligible for the COVID-19 antiviral treatment.

Antiviral medicines help stop a virus progressing. If taken early, they can reduce the symptoms of COVID. They do not work against other viruses like influenza (flu).

The list of Australians who can receive oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19 includes:

- 70 years of age or older, regardless of risk factors and with or without symptoms.

- 50 years of age or older with two additional risk factors for developing severe disease.

- First Nations people, 30 years of age or older and with one additional risk factor for developing severe disease.

- 18 years of age or older and have previously been hospitalised from COVID-19 and are re-infected.

-18 years of age or older are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not have any oral antiviral COVID-19 treatments.