If you're sick and think you might have COVID-19 symptoms, follow the steps below depending on your situation. Learn when and how to quarantine and isolate, how to get tested, and what to expect from treatment if you need medical care.
COVID-19 Symptoms
According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19
1. Stay Home
An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting two days before the person has any symptoms or tests positive.
Whether or not you have symptoms, if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive, it is important to quarantine or isolate in order to keep from spreading the virus to others.
Quarantine and Isolation
Quarantine:
If you have been exposed to the virus and don’t know if you’ve been infected, the CDC recommends staying apart from others for at least 5 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. If you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after your last close contact. If you do develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results.
If you came into close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine if:
- You are ages 18 or older and have received your COVID-19 vaccine series but have not received a COVID-19 booster shot.
- You received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago and have not received a COVID-19 booster shot.
- You are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series.
The CDC guidelines say to stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of your exposure is considered day 0. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home, if possible.
Learn more.
Isolation:
Everyone who has presumed or confirmed COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the date of the day of the positive viral test for asymptomatic persons).
How to isolate:
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Wear a well-fitting mask when you need to be around other people.
2. Call your Provider
Call your provider if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or possible exposure. Medical staff can help to make decisions about whether, when, and where you should be evaluated. This will avoid spreading the virus further to people in waiting rooms and other areas at these locations.
In a medical emergency, it is still important to call 9-1-1 and go to the emergency room.
3. Get Tested
If you have symptoms or exposure to COVID-19, you should get tested. Learn how and where to get tested.
When should you seek emergency medical attention?
According to the CDC, if you have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 you should get medical attention immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR COVID-19?
Most patients who test positive will not require hospitalization and can recover at home.
Patients who do need inpatient care will receive care in isolation once admitted to a hospital. Multiple areas within Baystate Health are safely housing COVID-19 patients, providing appropriate isolation to help prevent spread of the virus.
There are also outpatient treatment options. Current treatment options, based on clinical studies and Emergency Authorization Use or Expanded Access approvals from the FDA, include both IV and oral treatment options:
1. Monoclonal Antibodies: Bebtelovimab, the only currently available monoclonal active against the omicron variant—must be given within 7 days of symptom onset.
2. Paxlovid: An oral antiviral that has excellent efficacy and safety data—must be given within 5 days of symptom onset. Learn more.
3. Remdesivir: An IV therapy, originally authorized to treat hospitalized patients with COVID pneumonia, is now used off-label for treating outpatients within 7 days of symptom onset—requires IV infusion over 3 consecutive days. Learn more.
4. Molnupiravir: An oral antiviral that has marginal efficacy data and safety concerns regarding reproductive toxicity—must be given within 5 days of symptom onset. Learn more.
Other actions you can take: