COVID-19 FAQs
In March 2020, our world changed. A novel coronavirus, called COVID-19, swept across the globe. It caused chaos, confusion, illness, and death. In America alone, over 700,000 people have died as a result. This page is for our patients to keep them up to date on the latest in COVID-19 symptoms, what to do if you become infected, and where to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty 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.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
What to Do if You Are Sick
1. Get tested
Wear a well-fitting mask to reduce possible spread of the virus.
2. Stay home except to get medical care
Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care.
3. Separate yourself from other people
As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom.
4. Monitor your symptoms
5. Call ahead before visiting your doctor -- Use our Doxy.me Telehealth program!
Quarantine & Isolation
If you were exposed
Quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person (laboratory confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
If you are sick or test positive
Isolate when you are sick or when you have COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms.
You will hear quarantine and isolation used often and sometimes interchangeably. One useful way to remember is “I isolate if I am positive or suspected positive of the COVID-19 virus”.
Who does NOT need to quarantine?
Who does not need to quarantine?
- If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are in one of the following groups, you do not need to quarantine.
- You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
- You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (meaning you tested positive using a viral test).
Taking Care of Yourself
Wear a Mask to Protect Yourself and Others
- Masking is a critical public health tool and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.
- Wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.
- Wearing a well-fitted mask along with vaccination, self-testing, and physical distancing, helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19.
How to Get an At-Home COVID-19 Test
- Order free tests at COVIDtests.gov. Free tests are also available through most local health departments.
- Buy tests online or in pharmacies and retail stores. Private health insurance may reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests. Visit the FDA’s website for a list of authorized tests.
State, Local, Academic & Workplace Regulations
As our country continues to wrestle with the COVID-19 pandemic, our local, state, and national protocols will continue to adapt. In addition, our small businesses will continue to adjust to COVID-19 case numbers in our area. Talk to your boss, human resource manager, or give us a call, if you need guidance on what to do if you become exposed or test positive for COVID-19 and need to determine your best steps for quarantine or isolation.