Here are the basics:
First of all, if you’re in generally good health, take hope in the fact that you may find it’s a rather mild illness. WebMD reports early estimates of “overall COVID-19 recovery rate is between 97% and 99.75%.” But because it can be mild, it also can be deceiving in how contagious it really is.
The most important action to take is to stay home and rest.
On the other hand, if you have underlying health issues, it’s essential to stay in contact with your primary doctor and specialists. Doing so can expedite the necessary medical care to keep you healthy and strong.
Once you’ve gotten your COVID-19 test results back, you’ll want to do a few key things. Below, we cover why it’s a must to stay home, inform others, rest, and other get-well tips.
Here’s a look at what you need to do for yourself and others if you test positive for COVID-19:
This may be perhaps one of the most important aspects of dealing with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. As soon as you know your COVID-19 status, stay home. Call your employer, cancel any appointments, and plan to stay in for the next two weeks.
When can you be around other people?
The CDC states you can be around others after:
Luckily, most people can recover safely at home. Staying home protects others from potentially being infected without you knowing you’ve infected them. It further reduces community spread and how it can impact others.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.”
One of the most compassionate and honest actions you can do after testing positive for COVID-19 is to inform those individuals you’ve been around most recently. Because the virus spreads so easily, it’s quick to transfer from household to household. This could impact not only others’ health but their financial situations, social interactions, and other personal issues that you aren’t aware of.
As soon as you have your results, notify anyone you’ve been around, including:
Once you have a positive test, letting those individuals know (especially if you were not showing symptoms when you were around them) can help them be on the lookout for signs of illness. It also reduces the ability for it to spread further in the community.
Once you’ve tested positive, it’s important to self-quarantine. This means not leaving your household for anything other than essential medical care. Groceries and other items you may need can all be easily delivered to your home now. Some even offer two-hour delivery for essentials.
If you live with others, this means practicing social distancing. Yes, even in your own household. If at all possible, consider quarantining yourself in a separate room with a door. Wear a mask when not in your room, bleach and sanitize common areas regularly (especially the bathroom), and minimize time spent in other areas of the home.
Other tips for self-quarantine:
One of the most important actions to take while ill with COVID-19 is to monitor your symptoms. Everyone is different, and illness symptoms vary from mild to serious. Symptoms include fever, loss of taste and smell, cough, shortness of breath, headache, etc.
A simple way to do this is to keep a note on your phone or a piece of paper, starting from the day you noticed your first symptoms. Date each note and describe symptoms (as well as if they’ve gotten better or worse) along with any new ones you’re experiencing.
Want a symptom tracker? Check out this one from Nebraska Medicine.
You’ll also want to look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If you or a loved one is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
Disclaimer Note: These aren’t all the possible signs to be on the lookout for when it comes to serious COVID-19 symptoms. If in doubt, call your physician ASAP.
Whether you’re sick with a cold, flu, or COVID-19, it’s essential to stay home when you get ill during the current pandemic. This keeps you safe (from wearing yourself down) and others from getting the virus.
Because it can be hard to differentiate between all three, you will likely want to be tested ASAP if you haven’t already been — especially if you’ve exposed others to the illness. Remember that before your first symptoms appear, you could have had the active virus two days prior, which means you may have exposed others.
A few final tips for what to do after testing positive:
Last but not least, if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are showing symptoms, it’s best to get tested. Not only will this put your mind at ease, but it will also help you get the appropriate care needed. If you’re starting to have difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately. Don’t hesitate. As long as you inform the healthcare workers you may be dealing with COVID-19, they can take the proper precautions to help you.
If you’re dealing with the virus yourself or have a close loved one who is, focus on getting healthy above all else. Follow the doctor’s orders, self-quarantine, and rest.
From all of us here at TotalWellness, we sincerely wish you a speedy recovery!
Have you experienced COVID-19? What was it like for you and your family? What advice would you add to the tips above? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.