Sub-navigation Navigation links - Current: Sub-navigation - [ Paxlovid coronavirus medicine ](/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/paxlovid-coronavirus-medicine) - [ What to do if you suspect having contracted the coronavirus ](/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/what-do-if-you-suspect-having-contracted-coronavirus) - [ Paxlovid coronavirus medicine ](/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/paxlovid-coronavirus-medicine) - [ What to do if you suspect having contracted the coronavirus ](/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/what-do-if-you-suspect-having-contracted-coronavirus) # What to do if you suspect having contracted the coronavirus ## COVID-19 symptoms --- Symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, tiredness, weakness, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye), or disturbance of the sense of smell or taste. ## Getting tested for COVID-19 at HUS --- COVID-19 infection can be tested with an at-home test or with a laboratory-confirmed test. **An at-home test** works best within 5 days from the onset of symptoms. If the first at-home test is negative, it is advisable to repeat the test after 1 or 2 days. **A laboratory-confirmed test** is more reliable than an at-home test, and it is useful for people at risk for severe COVID-19. If the at-home test was positive, there is no need for a laboratory test. **The laboratory-confirmed test is used especially for persons with symptoms of a COVID-19 infection and who:** - belong to a group at risk for a severe coronavirus disease ([see the website of Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare for the risk groups](https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/risk-groups-for-severe-coronavirus-disease)) - are aged 18 or older and you belong to a group at risk for severe coronavirus disease for whom Paxlovid medication should be started urgently ([see HUS website for target groups for Paxlovid](https://www.hus.fi/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/paxlovid-coronavirus-medicine)) - are at risk for thrombosis due to COVID-19 ([see HUS website for risk factor](/ajankohtaista/koronavirus-covid-19/koronavirusinfektion-saaneen-verisuonitukosriskin-arvio "Koronavirusinfektion saaneen verisuonitukosriskin arvio")s (in Finnish) - are pregnant ([see HUS website for risk factors](/ajankohtaista/koronavirus-covid-19/koronavirusinfektion-saaneen-verisuonitukosriskin-arvio "Koronavirusinfektion saaneen verisuonitukosriskin arvio") (in Finnish) - have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and you have not previously had COVID-19 Mass testing for COVID-19 at Biomedicum in Helsinki will end on December 31, 2023. After this COVID-19 testing is only performed with a referral from a healthcare professional in some HUS laboratories (see [Coronavirus sampling points in HUS laboratories](/node/3134)). Customers with a referral can book an appointment for sampling in the [HUS laboratory online appointment booking system](https://secure.vihta.com/public-ng/hus/#/home). ## At-home COVID-19 tests --- You can use an at-home antigen test to test for COVID-19. Please familiarize yourself carefully with the instructions for taking an at-home test and how to interpret the result ([see the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's instructions](https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/symptoms-and-treatment-coronavirus/coronavirus-tests/coronavirus-home-tests)). If the at-home test is negative and you have symptoms, you can repeat the test after 1 or 2 days or on several consecutive days. A negative result from an at-home test does not exclude the possibility that the virus's incubation period is still ongoing, and the virus can be detected later. [See instructions for home care here.](https://www.hus.fi/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/what-do-if-you-suspect-having-contracted-coronavirus#home-care-instructions) ## Confirmed COVID-19 infection: Assessment of thrombosis risk and eligibility for Paxlovid medication --- If you have a COVID-19 infection confirmed with a home test or a laboratory test, follow these steps: - [Perform self-assessment for Paxlovid coronavirus medicine here.](https://www.hus.fi/en/newsroom/coronavirus-covid-19/paxlovid-coronavirus-medicine) - [Perform self-assessment of thrombosis risk here](/ajankohtaista/koronavirus-covid-19/koronavirusinfektion-saaneen-verisuonitukosriskin-arvio "Koronavirusinfektion saaneen verisuonitukosriskin arvio") (in Finnish). ## Home care instructions --- It is recommended to stay at home until the symptoms have significantly subsided and you don’t have a fever anymore. This generally takes 3 to 5 days. Request for **sick leave** in accordance with the normal sick leave policy at your workplace. It is advisable to send your child to **school** or **daycare** only when the symptoms have clearly subsided, the fever is gone, and the child is well enough to attend classes or early childhood education - Terveyskylä health portal (in Finnish): [Treating a respiratory infection at home (in Finnish)](https://www.terveyskyla.fi/keuhkotalo/tietoa-keuhkosairauksista/hengitystieinfektiot/itsehoito) - Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare: [How to treat COVID-19 at home](https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/symptoms-and-treatment-coronavirus/treatment-of-coronavirus-and-instructions-for-the-infected) ## When to seek treatment? --- Contact your local health center. If your health center is closed, call the Medical Helpline 116117 if necessary. Medical Helpline will assess your symptoms and condition and direct you to the appropriate place of care. If a person with COVID-19 shows emergency warning signs, call the emergency number 112. Updated: 30.05.2025 Print this page