Do you have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test? How long to isolate and what to do as soon as possible

The number of cases and deaths from coronavirus is continues to rise in the US As a result of close human contact as states and businesses began to reopen. If you have been in a situation where social distancing was not possible, or in a high risk area like a bar or planeand you experience symptoms, you may be concerned that infected with COVID-19. Or perhaps you live with someone else whose symptoms, even mild, may coincide with COVID-19.

Here are the steps to take to avoid spreading the virus to others, and how to care for someone who may be sick, especially if everyone shares the same roof. We will tell you when to call the doctor to see if you are eligible for the COVID-19 test, how to control your symptoms and how long to isolate others.

We’ve put together suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as first-hand advice from people we know who have recovered from coronavirus. Here are recommendations on how to adjust if you suspect that someone in your home has COVID-19, but he is not sick enough to be hospitalized. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and the orientation of public health agencies is changing over time.

This is what you need to know about find a coronavirus test site near youand the latest in antibody tests against coronavirus and nasal smear test.

Contact your doctor

At the first sign of what the coronavirus might be, contact your doctor immediately to list the symptoms and seek advice on whether to take the COVID-19 test. In many cases, the doctor will need to order the test for you (more on that below).

If the patient has underlying health conditions that put them at increased risk of death, the doctor will also be able to assess what medications they should and should not be taking and how they will need to adjust their lifestyle, including what type of vital signs to monitor as disease progresses.

Isolate yourself or the person who is sick

As soon as you or someone you live with suspect that you have COVID-19 symptoms (or positive tests for coronavirus), should be isolated from others until negative, or until symptoms have disappeared (more details below).

They should use a mask or cloth cover if they are in the same room as you or your roommates and everyone needs to make sure that wash your hands well with hand soap for 20 seconds after interacting. It is also important keep the house disinfected. A healthy person could reduce contact with a sick person by filling a jug of water and preparing food for the patient, leaving them at a safe distance so that they can pick them up.

The CDC suggests isolating yourself in a room away from others. We understand that it is not always an option, for example, if you live in a studio with an important person or share a small house with many others.

If there is no additional space to stay, be sure to keep a six foot distance at all times to practice social distancing. Unfortunately, that could mean that someone is sleeping on the sofa, on a mattress on the floor, etc.

Read more: Where to buy face masks and fabric liners online for you and for your children

Watch the ventilation.

The World Health Organization and doctors around the world are investigating the ability of the coronavirus to stay in the air and infect people. Airborne transmission is believed to be greater indoors, and especially in areas with limited ventilation. If you are caring for someone who is staying in your room, open a window and plan a way to circulate air through the space, for your own comfort as well as to disperse persistent coronavirus particles.

What if you only have one bathroom?

The CDC recommends that the suspected coronavirus patient use a different bathroom if possible. If you only have one bathroom, the sick person should wear a mask when they leave their isolation room. After you get out of the bathroom, be sure to sanitize the toilet, sink, shower, handles, and soap dispensers. The CDC recommends that the sick person clean the bathroom whenever they want.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. Also, avoid using the same hand towel as the potentially infected person. It is a good idea to install a cart for items that only the sick person uses, such as a soap dispenser, a towel, a tube of toothpaste, etc.

How to care for someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19

If there are multiple people living in your home, the CDC suggests that only one person should care for the sick person to limit the number of people who could come in contact with the virus. That includes bringing them food or medicine; controlling their temperature, vital signs and blood pressure; and wash your clothes and bedding.

However, it is a good idea for the caregiver to wear gloves and a face mask when coming into contact with anything the infected person has touched, before handwashing directly after

When you bring food, for example, you can place it inside the room they are staying in, but avoid contact with them and make sure that their nose and mouth are covered, including yours.

While isolated, your roommate may start to feel lonely, so be sure to comfort them by texting them, calling them to speak from the next room, or speaking through the door. Michigan Health suggests opening a window for air circulation.

Monitor symptoms

It is important to note that many hospitals do not want you to go to the emergency room or arrive for a COVID-19 test without a doctor’s order or an advanced state of symptoms, such as a high fever of more than 102 degrees. In many places, the number of tests is limited, and hospitals must follow protocols to limit exposure of sick people to the rest of the hospital population.

CDC and hospitals like Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles suggest contacting your primary care provider (PDF) about symptoms and next steps to take.

Some patients with COVID-19 have been found to have low blood oxygen saturation levels. Some people use a pulse oximeter, which measures oxygen in the blood, to control oxygen saturation at home. (Here it is where to buy a pulse oximeter.)

Symptoms that generally warrant a COVID-19 test include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches.
• Nausea or vomiting
• New loss of taste or odor.
• Sore throat

Everyone needs to stay home

If the person you live with has contracted the coronavirus, you and other housemates may have already been exposed, and could be presymptomatic or asymptomatic. The WHO states that the incubation period for someone with coronavirus is from one to 14 days. This is the time between contracting the virus and seeing the symptoms. This means that you must be quarantined for two weeks to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

To avoid going out, have your food and groceries delivered at your door The CDC says that if it has been 10 days since the symptoms first appeared, and at least 24 hours without fever, you can leave the house for necessities again.

Disinfect surfaces frequently.

Make sure you are cleaning and disinfection High traffic surfaces in your home every day. This includes door knobs, remote controls, bathroom surfaces, kitchen counters, appliances and your phone. Use products from the EPA-approved list of disinfectants to help kill the coronavirus.

The American Red Cross says to avoid sharing household items such as glasses, utensils, towels, and bedding. If a sick person uses any of these items, they should be washed thoroughly.

When is it okay to stop isolating yourself?

If the infected person does not have access to the tests, the CDC states that they can be close to other people if they have had 24 hours without fever or fever-reducing medications, symptoms such as cough have improved and it has been at least 10 days since Your first symptoms appeared.

To help you better prepare for a coronavirus case in your home, here is what you need to know about make a mask or cover at home, where can you buy a mask if you don’t have the right tools and How to disinfect your car and your home to help kill the coronavirus.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or health advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.