[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/managing-covid-19-symptoms\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/managing-covid-19-symptoms\/","headline":"Managing Your COVID-19 Symptoms at Home","name":"Managing Your COVID-19 Symptoms at Home","description":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its […]","datePublished":"2020-04-09","dateModified":"2022-06-22","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","name":"Infectious Diseases","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/infectious-diseases\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/iStock-1085020818.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/iStock-1085020818.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/managing-covid-19-symptoms\/","about":["COVID-19","Family Health","Living and Wellness","Safety"],"wordCount":941,"keywords":["COVID-19"],"articleBody":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.\u00a0During the COVID-19 pandemic, simple cold or flu-like symptoms can become unnerving. If you find that you start to feel ill and match the symptoms from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 list, here is what you should do:First, Know the SymptomsIt\u2019s important to review the CDC\u2019s list of symptoms for COVID-19. Because this illness can feel similar to seasonal allergies or the common flu, knowing the distinctions will help you identify it. Symptoms can occur 2 to 14 days after an exposure to the virus. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:\u00a0FeverDry coughShortness of breathThe CDC also provides a Coronavirus Checker feature on its website, so you can self-diagnose your illness and read the next steps for staying healthy.Know When to Seek Emergency CareBecause most cases of COVID-19 are mild and do not require treatment at a hospital, it is not imperative that you get tested or leave your home for medical help. If you suspect that you have COVID-19, you should contact your primary care doctor.\u00a0 Do not travel to your primary care doctor\u2019s office. If you are having the following symptoms, you should be evaluated in an emergency room:Trouble breathingPersistent pressure in your chestNew confusion or lethargyBluish lips and\/or faceA pre-existing health condition causing you to become severely illIf you are not critically ill, it is important to recover at home so hospitals can use their resources to treat people who need them.Remain at HomeThe moment you start feeling symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay at home and limit your interactions with other people in your household. You should not use public transportation if you feel ill, including buses, taxis, and ride shares. Do not visit any public areas, including the grocery store and pharmacy. Use delivery services or have a household member pick up supplies for you.Self-IsolateDesignate a sick-room or area in your home where you can self-isolate and recover. If you can, use a different bathroom from the rest of your household. Limit your contact with everyone else in your home to avoid spreading the virus to them. Designate your own bedding, towels, dishes, utensils, and cups, and make sure they are thoroughly washed before the next use. If you do have to be around others, wear a facemask (a homemade one works) and avoid touching shared items as much as possible.Take Care of YourselfGet plenty of fluids and rest. The coronavirus affects everyone differently, so be sure to listen to your body and be aware of your symptoms. You might feel better one day, then much worse the next. Stay home for at least seven days after the symptoms start showing.\u00a0Disinfect Everything, Every DayAny high-touch surface should be cleaned every day in your isolation area. If you live with others, they should be cleaning the rest of the house every day as well. These surfaces include but are not limited to: Cell phoneRemote controlCountertops Laptop computers or computer keyboardsTabletsToiletsDoorknobsLight fixturesTabletopsUse soap and water or a disinfectant spray, but make sure you are following the instructions closely. Some sprays require wet surfaces for several minutes to kill all germs.\u00a0Practice Good HygieneIf you suspect you might have COVID-19, you are incredibly contagious to those around you. Now more than ever, it is important to follow the CDC guidelines to stop the spread. Cover your mouth with your sleeve, your elbow, or a tissue as completely as you can when you sneeze or cough. Dispose of any used tissues immediately. Wash your hands several times a day, singing \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d twice to reach the 20-second rule every time. If you do not have soap and water available or near, have a bottle of hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol within reach. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands.\u00a0Monitor Your SymptomsMonitor your symptoms every day and keep track of when you first started feeling ill. If your symptoms worsen to the point of needing medical attention, call your doctor or emergency room first to let them know you\u2019re coming. Don\u2019t forget your facemask if you do need to enter a medical facility or any public building. Practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.Discontinuing Self-IsolationIt\u2019s been over a week, and you are finally starting to feel better. You can discontinue your home self-isolation once you have:No sign of fever for over 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication ANDIt has been seven days since your symptoms have resolved. If you are tested to see if you are still contagious, you can end self-isolation once you receive two negative tests 24 hours apart.\u00a0During the next month of stay-at-home orders, continue to disinfect surfaces and practice good hygiene. Wash any bedding and clothing you used during self-isolation yourself to reduce the risk of household members being exposed.For more information regarding self-isolation for COVID-19, visit the CDC\u2019s coronavirus website. Sources "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Managing Your COVID-19 Symptoms at Home","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/04\/managing-covid-19-symptoms\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]