The Colorado Public Health Dept. offers these tips for people testing positive with or having the coronavirus symptoms. If you are sick and waiting for results of a COVID-19 test, follow these steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
SYMPTOMS AND POSSIBLE EXPOSURE
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you have been exposed to someone with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 and are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, you might have it, too.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS AND ARE WAITING FOR COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
Stay home, except to get medical care
If you have a medical appointment, call ahead and let them know that you may have COVID-19, so the office can take steps to protect other people. Otherwise:
1) Restrict activities outside your home.
2) Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
3) Avoid using public transportation, ride-shares, or taxis.
4) Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
5) As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home.
6) Use a separate bathroom if available.
Pet Care
1) Have another member of your household care for your pets. If you must care for your pet, wear a face mask, and wash your hands before and after you interact with your pet.
2) Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is best for people sick with COVID-19 to limit contact with animals until we know more about the virus.
3) If possible, wear a face mask when you are around other people or pets, and before you enter a health care provider’s office.
4) If you are not able to wear a face mask, then people who live with you should not be in the same room with you, or they should wear a face mask if they enter your room.
Practice Actions That Protect Others
Clean your hands often!
1) Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. When using hand sanitizer, cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Soap and water is preferred if hands are visibly dirty.
2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3) Cover your coughs and sneezes
4) Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away. If a tissue is not available, use your inner elbow or sleeve.
5) Immediately clean your hands (see above).
Avoid Sharing Personal Household Items
1) Don’t share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
2) After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Clean Surfaces Every Day
1) Clean “high touch” surfaces like counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
2) Clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
Use a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow the label directions for correct and safe use of the cleaning product.
Monitor Your Symptoms
1) Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call your health care provider and tell them that you are being tested for COVID-19. Put on a face mask before you enter the facility.
2) If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, tell the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.
Discontinuing Home Isolation
1) If your COVID-19 test is positive, you will receive instructions from the public health department to remain under home isolation for 10 days after your symptoms started or 10 days after discharge from the hospital.
2) If your COVID-19 test is negative, you should stay home and away from others until 24 hours after your fever is gone without fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are better.
Article courtesy of Colorado Public Health Dept.