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COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease)
What you need to know
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Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
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Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Watch for symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
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Fever or chills
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms.
When to seek emergency medical attention
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
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Trouble breathing
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Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
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New confusion
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Inability to wake or stay awake
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Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms.
When to seek
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.
Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.
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Keep track of your symptoms.
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If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.
Steps to help prevent the spread if you are sick
Stay home except to get medical care
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Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
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Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
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Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
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Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people
As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.
Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.
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Additional guidance is available for those living in close quarters and shared housing.
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See COVID-19 and Animals if you have questions about pets.
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If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, someone from the health department may call you. Answer the call to slow the spread.
Monitor your symptoms
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Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or other symptoms.
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Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities may
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
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Call ahead. Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.
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If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor’s office, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.
If you are sick, wear a mask over your nose and mouth
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You should wear a mask over your nose and mouth if you must be around other people or animals, including pets (even at home).
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You don’t need to wear the mask if you are alone. If you can’t put on a mask (because of trouble breathing, for example), cover your coughs and sneezes in some other way. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. This will help protect the people around you.
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Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2 years, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is not able to remove the mask without help.
Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical grade facemasks are reserved for healthcare workers and some first responders.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
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Throw away used tissues in a lined trash can.
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Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean your hands often
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
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Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
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Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid sharing personal household items
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Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
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Wash these items thoroughly after using them with soap and water or put in the dishwasher.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
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Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but you should clean your bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
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If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and disposable gloves prior to cleaning. They should wait as long as possible after the person who is sick has used the bathroom before coming in to clean and use the bathroom.
Sources
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