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We are safely resuming in-person appointments. Learn about safety measures, testing, and COVID-19.

Home COVID-19 Safety Information What to Do if You're Sick

Do you have symptoms?

The CDC's self-checker can help determine your COVID-19 risk.

Go To Symptom Checker
symptom checklist covid19_735x415

What to do if you're sick

If you're sick and think you might have COVID-19 symptoms, our providers will guide you through next steps depending on your situation.

If You're Sick

  • Call your doctor's office if you have a fever, cough, or trouble breathing and are concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19. 
  • In a medical emergency, it is still important to call 9-1-1 and go to the emergency room.
  • Telehealth: We are increasing our use of telehealth video visits.
  • Testing: We have opened five outpatient testing locations to the public. In order to be tested, you must have an order from your doctor.
  • Insurance coverage: Health insurers in Massachusetts will cover the full cost of testing, counseling, treatment, and vaccination for COVID-19.
  • Treatment: There is no specific medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19. People may need supportive care to help them breathe. Research is underway, and Baystate Health has begun several clinical trials.

COVID-19 Symptoms

According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

If you have these symptoms or combinations of symptoms, you may have COVID-19:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

What should you do if you have symptoms?

For your safety and the safety of the community, Baystate Health is asking patients to call their provider if:

  • You have symptoms as described above
  • You have had contact with someone who possibly has COVID-19

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.

Telehealth

As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Baystate Health is increasing its use of telehealth video visits.

These visits allow you to stay in the safety and comfort of your home, while providing a real-time connection (similar to FaceTime or Skype) with your healthcare provider on a mobile device, phone or computer.

When should you seek emergency medical attention?

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor for a testing referral.

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 or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before medical help arrives.

How can you get tested for COVID-19?

We have opened COVID-19 testing sites for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. We also provide some testing for patients without symptoms who have had contact with COVID-19 patients. Learn how and where.

What is the treatment for COVID-19?

We know that most patients who test positive will not require hospitalization. We also know that, so far, the COVID-19 virus has had minimal impact on the health of children.

However, 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 is no vaccine, as of yet, to protect against COVID-19. Some antiviral medications are being tested to see if they can address some of the symptoms.

We currently have four distinct treatment pathways, two of which are clinical studies and the other two are based on either Emergency Authorization Use or Expanded Access approvals from the FDA. Those treatments include:

It is too early to determine whether any of these therapies has significant beneficial effects in this infection.

Other actions you can take:

Learn home remedies for upper respiratory symptoms

  • Take pain and fever medications.

    • (Caution: do not give aspirin to children and be aware of allergies to medicines)

    For adults: Ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours / Not to exceed 3200mg/24 hours Take with food if possible
    Acetaminophen 1000mg every 4 hours/ Not to exceed 4000mg/24 hours

    For children: Ask your provider for dosing.

  • Get plenty of rest.

  • Use a clean humidifier, cool mist vaporizer, or saline nose drops to relieve a stuffy nose.

  • Take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.

  • Drink plenty of liquids.

  • Stay home and rest.

If you're concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Prevent the spread of your illness

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Stay home and rest.
  • Separate yourself from other people
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Monitor your symptoms

Learn more about protecting yourself and others.

Learn what to do when someone in your house is sick

The CDC recommends the following actions if someone in your house is sick:

  • Keep separate bedroom and bathroom for sick person (if possible)
  • If shared bathroom: Clean and disinfect after each use by the sick person. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Stay separated for meals: The sick person should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.
  • Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any non-disposable used food service items with gloves and wash with hot water or in a dishwasher.
  • Clean hands after handling used food service items.
  • Use a dedicated, lined trashcan: If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the sick person. Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.

Learn more on the CDC website.