Covid-19 test, symptoms, and early treatment
The Danish Health Authority recommends that you take a test in situations where a test result may be important for the treatment of covid-19.
You are advised to get tested if you experience symptoms of covid-19 and are at increased risk of a serious course of illness due to covid-19. If you are at increased risk and test positive, you may be in the target group for early treatment of covid-19.
You can take a rapid antigen-test or contact your doctor. If you are at increased risk and your test is positive, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, as it is your doctor who will assess whether you qualify for early treatment for covid-19.
Whether your covid-19 test is positive or negative, you are advised to stay at home when you are sick until you are well again. If your test result comes back positive but you do not feel sick, then you do not have to stay at home.
It is still important to follow the Danish Health Authority’s general recommendations to prevent the spread of infections. Read more about the recommendation:
On tests and symptoms
1. When should I get tested for covid-19?
The Danish Health Authority recommends that you take a test in situations where a test result may be important for the treatment of covid-19.
We recommend that you get tested if you experience symptoms of covid-19 and are at increased risk of a serious course of illness due to covid-19. This may be if you are 65 years of age or older or for other reasons are at increased risk - this also applies if you are pregnant.
If you are at increased risk and test positive, you may be in the target group for early treatment of covid-19. If you are not at increased risk of a serious course of illness you do not have to get tested – not even if you have symptoms of covid-19. You are recommended to stay at home, if you are sick.
2. If you have symptoms that could be covid-19?
If you experience symptoms of covid-19 and you feel sick, it is recommended that you stay home until you are well again.
The Danish Health Authority does not recommend that you get tested, unless it has an importance of your further treatment.
We recommend that you get tested if you are ill with significant symptoms of covid-19, such as fever, persistent cough, breathing problems, headache, muscle pain, nausea, loss of smell and taste etc., and you are at increased risk of a serious course of illness due to covid-19.
If you are at increased risk and your test is positive, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, as it is your doctor who will assess whether you qualify early treatment for covid-19.
If you feel so ill, that you would like a consultation, or if your symptoms worry you, please call your doctor or the out-of-hours medical service / 1813.
3. Who is at a higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19?
People aged 80 or above
You are at higher risk regardless of whether you are healthy or have chronic diseases and conditions.
People aged 65-79
Many healthy persons in this age group are not at higher risk, but if, for example, you have chronic diseases or reduced mental and physical health etc., you may be at higher risk.
People aged under 65
Very few people are at higher risk, but people in the age group with certain chronic diseases, overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above, and/or who have a weakened immune system are considered to be at higher risk. For the majority of younger people in this group, the increased risk is lower, as age is an important factor in the risk of severe illness. This also means that younger people with an illness or condition should not compare themselves to older people who have the same or similar illness. They should instead compare themselves to healthy people of the same age.
Certain children and young people with chronic illness
Diseases and conditions that may result in a higher risk in adults cannot be compared directly to the risk in children. Children and young people who may have an increased risk are typically those who were already subject to special precautions before the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, for example special conditions in their attendance of school/daycare. These children have diseases or conditions that are typically monitored in special outpatient clinics. Even severely ill children will typically have a mild course of illness from covid-19.
Residents in nursing homes
Residents in nursing homes are at higher risk as they are often elderly and have chronic diseases, poor functional ability and fragile health.
Pregnant women
Pregnant women are considered to be at higher risk in order to protect both the pregnant woman and the unborn child. If you are unsure whether you are at higher risk, please talk to your doctor.
Further information
For further details on who is at higher risk, including descriptions of the illnesses and conditions that are regarded as entailing a higher risk, see People at higher risk if infected with covid-19 – Medical basis (in Danish only).