What to do if you or someone else in your household has COVID-19

from LONG COVID ESSENTIALS
a resources series by The Sick Times x Long COVID Justice

With changing and conflicting guidance from national and local public health agencies, it can be confusing to know what to do if you get sick with COVID-19. But by planning, isolating, seeking care, and monitoring your symptoms, you can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help decrease the risk of adverse health outcomes like Long COVID.

ISOLATION

  1. First, if you tested positive, you should immediately isolate in your room. If possible, open all windows and turn on air purifiers to clean the air, if you have them.
  2. All members of the household, including the person who tested positive, should put on high-quality respirators or masks.
  3. The person who tested positive should remain in isolation until they have two negative rapid COVID-19 tests 48 hours apart. Some public health agencies recommend isolating for 5 to 7 days and masking for at least 10 days from the first positive test or onset of symptoms, as people are most contagious during these days. However, some people can test positive and be infectious for 20 days or more. Negative rapid tests give the best guarantee of safety for leaving isolation.

NOTIFY YOUR COMMUNITY

  1. Notify everyone in your household and others you could have exposed in the past 3 to 5 days before you tested positive. This way they can test, isolate, and make their own plans.
  2. Since you’ll be isolated for at least 5 days, notify work, school, and other commitments that you’ve tested positive.

Seek medical care, radically rest, monitor symptoms

  1. Set up a virtual doctor’s appointment as soon as possible so you can potentially access medications for COVID-19. These drugs are most effective when started early. If you do not have a provider, Dr. B is one online service that can help you get a prescription.
  2. During your appointment, ask the provider about the antiviral drug Paxlovid which can lower your chances of severe symptoms. Also ask about Metformin, a common and inexpensive drug used to treat diabetes that has been found to reduce risk of Long Covid.
  3. Make sure there is a record that you have COVID-19. This could be a record of a positive test or notes from your doctor’s appointment. If you develop Long COVID, doctors may ask for this record.
  4. Rest as much as possible. Practice radical rest and pacing to help manage your symptoms and energy levels.
  5. Order a pulse oximeter, which helps keep track of oxygen levels. If your levels fall below 90% and remain there for several minutes, go to the emergency room immediately. Note that currently available oximeters can be inaccurate for people with darker skin – researchers are working to address this. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about this.
  6. If you develop any symptoms that feel life-threatening, go to the ER or call an ambulance.
  7. Start tracking your rapid tests, symptoms, and oxygen levels using this helpful table made by the Clean Air Club.

Rest and do follow-up medical testing

Continue to rest after your initial infection clears up, and get medical testing and support if needed for lingering symptoms or new or worsening health issues.

ResOURCES

Writer: Miles Griffis • Editor: Betsy Ladyzhets • Medical reviewer: Dr. David Putrino

Printable version of this resource page

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Notes

  • This series was published in fall 2024; some information may be subject to change.
  • Although each topic has been reviewed by medical professionals, they are informational resources, not medical advice. Always talk to your medical providers before trying treatments or symptom management strategies. 
  • Each resource page offers brief information and is not comprehensive. We know there is much more information on each topic we cover, and that there are additional topics not yet addressed in this series.