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If that happens, you may find it reassuring to learn how to manage the disease.
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First, know that there is finally some positive news about COVID-19.
You might not know what to do next if you get sick.
Isolate as soon as you receive a positive COVID-19 test.
As hard as it may be, you should physically separate from others as soon as possible.
(Well get into the specifics of that a bit later.)
If you have COVID-19, its best to distance yourself from others in your home as much as possible.
Ideally you’re in a separate room with a separate bathroom.
Of course, not everyone has their own room and bathroom.
In that case, give a shot to spend the majority of your time in a designated private space.
However, its understandable if youre not feeling well enough to do that.
(Here are moreCOVID-19 cleaning tipsfor your home.)
Eating your meals in your bedroom away from others is the safest option while isolating.
You might wonder if its worth the extra effort to keep yourself away from the people you live with.
The answer is yes.
Despite living together, your housemates may not get sick if you could limit your exposure to them.
And, of course, wash and sanitize your hands as often as possible.
But thats only recommended if everyonetested positive.
Wondering what the difference is between isolation and quarantine?
Ask your housemates to quarantine.
Quarantiningis a safety precaution for people who might have been exposed to COVID-19.
(The first day of quarantine begins on the last date someone saw the sick person.
If your housemates see you daily, then their quarantine begins the day you stop isolation.)
Thats because they could be asymptomatic with COVID-19 and ultimately pass the virus on to others.
In this instance, they should let their work know that they are living with someone who has COVID-19.
(For reference, a fever includes temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.)
Consider designating one person as your caregiver, if possible.
(Thisarticle can help your caregiversafely look after someone with COVID-19.)
Whenever possible, choose a caregiver who is not athigh risk for developing COVID-19 complications.
Remember, whoever is looking after you should stay home and away from other people if they can.
Alert your family, friends, and primary care doctor about your situation.
Hopefully, your local health department will reach out to you quickly for contact tracing.
In the meantime, you should inform anyone you recently saw of your COVID-19 diagnosis, Flinn says.
And finally, Dr.
Brewer recommends sharing your diagnosis with friends or family who can be your support system.
Buy a pulse oximeter and thermometer.
(The mibest OLED Finger Pulse oximeter is one option onAmazon, $25.
A pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen in your blood.
One of the major concerns around COVID-19 disease is the development of trouble breathing or respiratory distress, Dr. An early indicator of respiratory distress is if your oxygen saturation drops.
And while youd expect tonotice that kind of changeon your own, thats not necessarily the case.
That seems to be especially true in young and otherwise healthy people, he adds.
Trouble breathing is a sign that your case is more serious and requires further medical attention.
That could be your primary care doctor or local hospital.
Prepare to stay home for the appropriate length of time.
If you tested positive but are asymptomatic, theCDCrecommends isolating for 10 days after your positive test date.
Manage mild to moderate symptoms with OTC medicines.
Its fine to treat yourfever and cough with OTC drugsas you normally would with other illnesses.
Fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can make you feel more comfortable.
Just keep in mind that these only help to reduce your symptoms, Dr.
They’re not going to impact the virus itself, he adds.
However, if youre high-risk for complications, there may be some coronavirus-specific drugs available to you.
Dr. Yang says that some hospitals have access toFDA-authorized monoclonal antibodiesdistributed by the company Eli Lilly.
These lab-created antibodies may help your immune system fight off viruses, like SARS-CoV-2.
Speak with your doctor or contact a local hospital to see if this treatment is available in your area.
To be safe, ask your health care provider about any supplements youre interested in taking.
But you should also know when its time to seek medical help for your coronavirus case.
Know when to go to the hospital.
When, exactly, should youseek immediate care for COVID-19?
As we previously mentioned, blue or gray lips are another concerning sign.
TheCDCalso says to call the hospital if you cant wake up or stay awake.
department or the 911 dispatcher.
Remember to wear a mask to help protect the health care workers treating you.
Beyond those critically concerning symptoms, advice for seeking medical attention varies depending on the patient, Dr. People with COVID-19 can get sick very quickly.
Err on the side of checking in too much rather than letting something go too far, Dr.
Contact your doctor or a medical center if you have lingering COVID-19 symptoms.
But if youre still struggling with lingering symptoms after COVID-19, youre not alone.
