Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? Here's your guide on the actions to take.
In the ongoing battle against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, understanding how to manage COVID-19 symptoms is crucial. Here's a guide to help you navigate through the illness and reduce the risk of transmission to others.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when a person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. It can also be transmitted when someone touches a surface on which these droplets have landed and then touches their face.
Typically, symptoms of COVID-19 appear within 5 days of contracting the virus. The most common symptoms are a dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath. However, other symptoms may include muscle pain, sore throat, headache, diarrhoea, chills, repeated shaking with chills, and a new loss of taste or smell.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, the recommended steps are as follows:
1. **Get tested for COVID-19 promptly**, even if symptoms are mild or resemble seasonal flu, since early testing helps prevent spread and ensures timely care.
2. **Isolate yourself at home** to avoid spreading the virus to others. This typically means staying home for at least 5 days, separating yourself from others in your household, and avoiding travel for about 10 days.
3. **Wear a well-fitting mask around other people** for at least 10 days to reduce transmission risk.
4. **Notify close contacts** so they are aware of potential exposure.
5. **Monitor your symptoms closely**, watching for worsening or severe symptoms that may require medical attention.
6. **Manage mild symptoms at home** by getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, using over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever, aches, and pains, and using throat lozenges, warm salt water gargles, cough suppressants, or decongestants as appropriate for symptom relief. Avoid decongestant sprays for more than a few days.
7. **Seek medical advice promptly if you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19** (due to age, underlying conditions, or immunocompromise), even if symptoms are initially mild. Antiviral treatments exist that can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death but must be started within days after symptoms begin.
8. **If severe or life-threatening symptoms develop**—such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, inability to stay awake, or bluish lips or face—seek emergency medical care immediately. Hospital treatments may include antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, blood thinners, extra oxygen, or ventilator support.
9. **Practice good hygiene** consistently: cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often with soap and water, clean surfaces regularly, and avoid sharing personal household items.
When soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. People who experience symptoms similar to the common cold or flu should act as if they have COVID-19.
The symptoms section of the article was updated on May 19, 2020. Caregivers of someone who is sick with COVID-19 should ensure that the person self-isolates in a separate room of the home and uses a separate bathroom if possible. Caregivers should also wear a face mask, disposable gloves when handling the person's garbage or soiled laundry, and wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after interacting with the person who is sick or touching anything they have touched.
Practice proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as it reduces a person's risk of contracting the infection and reduces the likelihood of transferring the virus to other people or surfaces. People who develop COVID-19 symptoms should avoid going out in public, isolate from others inside the home, and use a separate room and bathroom if possible.
It is not currently known if people can develop COVID-19 twice. Scientists do not fully understand the immune response and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2. A study found that many people who have COVID-19 experience a temporary loss of taste and smell. If going to the hospital or traveling by ambulance, wear a face mask, scarf, or bandana.
When symptoms worsen, people should call their doctor for advice. If the symptoms are severe, people should call the emergency services and let the operator know that they have COVID-19 symptoms. Disinfect frequently used surfaces throughout the home every day, using separate cleaning cloths, sponges, and mops for isolation rooms to avoid spreading the virus to other areas of the home.
There is no specific treatment for COVID-19, but at-home self-care measures can help alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. If you suspect you have COVID-19, follow these steps to manage the illness safely and reduce the risk of transmission to others.
- SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, mainly spreads through respiratory droplets produced during coughing, sneezing, or speaking.
- Common symptoms of COVID-19 include dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, chills, repeated shaking with chills, and a new loss of taste or smell.
- If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, it's crucial to get tested promptly, isolate yourself at home, wear a well-fitting mask, notify close contacts, and monitor your symptoms closely.
- Manage mild symptoms at home by resting, drinking fluids, using over-the-counter medications, and using throat lozenges, warm salt water gargles, cough suppressants, or decongestants as needed for symptom relief.
- If you're at higher risk of severe COVID-19 due to age, underlying conditions, or immunocompromise, seek medical advice promptly, even if initial symptoms are mild.
- If severe or life-threatening symptoms develop, such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, inability to stay awake, or bluish lips or face, seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands frequently, cleaning surfaces regularly, and wearing face masks in public.
- Avoid sharing personal household items, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are unavailable.
Caregivers of someone who is sick with COVID-19 should ensure the person self-isolates in a separate room and bath if possible, and wear face masks, disposable gloves, and wash hands often with soap and water. disinfect frequently used surfaces throughout the home daily with separate cleaning cloths, sponges, and mops for isolation rooms to avoid spreading the virus.
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