Think You Have COVID-19? Here’s What to Do

If you believe you may have been exposed to and contracted the respiratory infection known as COVID-19, follow these measures as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of this disease.

Keep calm. Although COVID-19 can be deadly, the majority of cases are mild, and most people can recuperate from the infection at home.

Note your symptoms. Do you have a cough? How about a fever? Are you experiencing shortness of breath? These are COVID-19 symptoms.

Read More: Is It COVID-19 or Something Else?

Have a BMH Care Anywhere visit. You can see a doctor any time of day or night from the comfort of your home using your mobile device or computer. Download the app or create an account online.

Follow your health care provider’s instructions. Depending on your circumstances, he or she may instruct you to take one or more of the following measures.

• Have a COVID-19 test only if directed by your provider. If you are instructed to visit a facility for testing or other medical care, wear a face mask.
• Physically isolate yourself from other people, both outside and inside your home, for at least seven days from the time you developed symptoms. Before breaking self-isolation, you should also have seen an improvement in your symptoms and been fever free for three days without the use of medication to lower your body temperature.
• While in home isolation, use a separate bathroom from other people in the home if one is available. If you must share space with others, keep at least a 6-foot distance between you, wear a face mask and disinfect surfaces before and after touching them.
• Don’t share dishes, bedding, bath towels or any other personal items with others. Thoroughly wash towels and bed linens with detergent and the hottest water possible, based on the fabric. If someone other than you washes the linens, he or she should consider wearing gloves.
• Clean and disinfect items you frequently touch every day, such as phones and other personal devices, TV remotes, tops of tables and counters, bathrooms fixtures, and doorknobs. If a caregiver needs to clean your area, instead of every day, he or she should only do so when it absolutely has to be done. Out of disinfectant? The CDC recommends a homemade bleach solution of 4 teaspoons of bleach per 1 quart of water.
• Have someone look after your pets. In some cases, pets have contracted COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, the CDC currently recommends that people who have this viral infection keep their distance from animals as well as people. If you have no one to look after your pets, you can continue to care for their basic needs, washing your hands before and after interacting with them.
• Take over-the-counter medications as recommended by your health care provider to alleviate your symptoms. Cold medicines and fever reducers may help you feel more comfortable.
• Drink plenty of fluids and rest. Doing so may help you stay hydrated and feel better as you recover.
• Continue monitoring your symptoms and reconnect with your provider if symptoms worsen. He or she may recommend hospital care for severe symptoms.

If you have COVID-19 and experience trouble breathing, worsening shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, unexplained confusion, an inability to fully wake, or a blue tint to your face or lips, call 911 to seek emergency medical care.