Things To Do If You Have Covid-19

Things To Do If You Have COVID-19

Receiving a positive COVID-19 diagnosis can be upsetting to say the least, but being prepared and knowing what you need to do moving forward can help take some of the worry away when you are feeling your worst. You will be familiar with a lot of the measures listed below from other illnesses, but COVID-19 does require some extra precautions and safe practices. 

Steps to Take If You Are Sick With COVID-19

• Stay Home Except When Seeking Medical Care

• • • Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical attention. If you are sick with COVID-19, do not leave your home except to receive medical care. Do not visit public areas, and do not use any form of public transportation, or use ride shares or taxis.
    • Help your body recover by taking good care of yourself, staying properly hydrated, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest. Take over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen to improve the way you feel. If your condition worsens, if you have trouble breathing, or if you are concerned that you may have something more than a mild case, contact your health care provider immediately.

• Separate Yourself

• • • When sick with COVID-19, avoid other people and pets in your house as much as you can. If possible, quarantine in one room (or at least as much as you can) and use a separate bathroom. When you are in shared rooms or around other people in your house, wear a mask.
    • Inform those who you have come into contact with recently of your diagnosis so they know they may have been exposed and can help prevent additional spread.

• Monitor Your Symptoms

• • • Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, aches, loss of taste and/or smell and many other symptoms. Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider and report to them if symptoms or severity change.
    • The following are emergency warning signs of COVID-19. If someone is showing these symptoms, seek professional medical help immediately:
      • Trouble breathing
      • Persistent chest pain or pressure
      • New confusion
      • Inability to wake up, or stay awake
      • Bluish hue in the lips or face
      • **This is not a complete list of symptoms. Please call your medical provider if you experience any symptoms that seem severe or concern you.

• Call Ahead Before Visiting a Doctor or Healthcare Provider

• • • Call your healthcare provider before going to their office. They will be able to tell you what the best next step will be. Many visits and concerns can now be handled over the phone or with video calls. If an in-person visit is needed, a call will let your doctor or healthcare provider know that someone sick is coming in, and will allow them to prepare and protect themselves and the office.

• Where a Mask Over Your Nose and Mouth

• • • If you are around other people, even at home, you should wear a mask and make sure it covers your nose AND your mouth. You do not need to wear a mask if you are alone. 
    • If you have trouble breathing or cannot wear a mask for any other reason, take extra care to cover coughs and sneezes in some other way. Do your best to stay at least 6 feet from other people, and particularly avoid anyone with any increased health risk.

• Cover Coughs and Sneezes

• • • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and make sure to dispose of the tissue in a lined trash can. Wash your hands afterward using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Sick or not, carrying hand sanitizer is a smart move during a pandemic!

• Clean Hands Often

• • • Make a habit of washing your hands often throughout the day, and try to generally avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth. Use soap and warm water whenever possible, washing your hands and forearms for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer whenever you are unable to wash and have touched shared surfaces, or come into contact with others.

• Do Not Share Items

• • • Avoid sharing things around the house with people you live with. This includes drinking glasses, dishes, plates and silverware, as well as bathroom towels, bedding and other household items. As much as you can, you want to be limiting your physical interaction with anyone else.

• Clean High Touch Surfaces Everyday

• • • Make sure to clean and disinfect the room in which you are quarantining, as well as any other high-touch surfaces throughout the house, like door handles, light switches, countertops and remotes. Anywhere that is frequently touched.
    • Use EPA-approved household disinfectants. Read the label to make sure you are using the product safely and effectively!
    • Have someone else in the house disinfect the common areas, while you take care of your bedroom and bathroom. 
    • If you are a caregiver cleaning a room for someone who is sick, do so on an as-needed basis to expose yourself as little as possible. Always wear a mask and gloves when doing so, and try to wait as long as you can after the person has left the room to then enter and start cleaning.

Categorised in: Blog

This post was written by CJ Urgent Care of NJ