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You wake up with a dry cough or headache. It could be the common cold or allergies, or it could be the coronavirus.
So what should you do next?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts recommend taking the following steps if you feel sick and think you may have COVID-19.
Take an inventory of symptoms: Dry cough is one. Are you short of breath too? You have a fever? Normal body temperature is 98.6 Fahrenheit, and anything above 100 degrees is considered a fever. New symptoms recently added by the CDC also include chills, repeated tremors with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
Not everyone with COVID-19 will have all the symptoms and there may not be a fever.
Stay at home: Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and can recover at home with medical attention. Control your symptoms while resting, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen.
Separate from other people: As much as possible, stay in a designated room and away from other people and pets in your home. If you need to be around people, wear a mask.
Avoid sharing personal items around the house such as dishes, gas, glasses, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with others in your home. Wash these items well after using them with soap and water or put them in the dishwasher.
Practice good hygiene: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can and immediately wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your unwashed hands.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor: If you are seeking medical care, health care providers recommend calling ahead. Most medical consultations are done remotely by phone or video conference.
However, you should seek emergency medical attention and call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, bluish lips, and sudden confusion.
How do I know when I am no longer sick?
If you had symptoms of COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health says you can leave your designated “sick room” after not having a fever for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medications, other symptoms have improved and at least Seven It has been days since your symptoms first appeared.
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If your result was positive for COVID-19 but you were asymptomatic, then you can leave your “sick room” after receiving two consecutive negative tests, 24 hours from the party.
The state health department recommends taking extra precautions for at least three more days by staying at least six feet away from others and wearing a cloth face covering.
Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.
