What To Do if Your Family Gets COVID-19
While many people have done everything they can to avoid contracting the highly contagious Omicron variant, even the most vigilant individuals can still become infected with COVID-19. If you suspect you have the virus, ensuring the health and safety of your family members can be daunting. Read more to learn how to care for yourself or another household member with COVID-19:
You are experiencing symptoms that could be COVID-19, but no one else in your family is ill. What should you do first?
First, stay home, isolate from other members of your household and wear a mask. Next, it is critically important to call your doctor.
There have been recent advances in the treatment of COVID-19, but most require a prescription. For example, the new anti-viral medications have been shown to help lessen symptoms and shorten the course of illness, but only if taken shortly after symptoms appear. Calling your doctor quickly can help determine if you’re suffering from COVID-19 and give you more options for treatment. Call your primary care office before you arrive or you can schedule an appointment at a CaroMont Health urgent care location here.
You are COVID-19 positive, but no one else in your family is experiencing symptoms. What should you do next?
Stay home, wear a mask and isolate yourself from other members of the household who do not have COVID-19. Increase air flow as much as possible by opening windows and running fans, and be sure to not share space, bathrooms, bedding, towels, dishes or utensils with others. Remember to call your doctor to receive further instructions on how best to care for yourself.
Your doctor will help you understand your personal risk factors, but seek immediate medical attention if you experience life-threatening symptoms or emergency warning signs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines emergency warning signs as:
-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 nails, depending on individual skin tone
You are COVID-19 positive and all members of the household have now tested positive as well. What should you do next?
It is critically important to stay in touch with your family’s physicians and care providers. Follow their instructions for treating symptoms and stay home, isolating as a family. If every member is COVID-19 positive, there is no need to wear a mask in your house. But if you must leave, it is so important to wear a well-fitted masks to protect others. This includes children over the age of two, and especially if you are leaving for another indoor, public setting like a medical office, grocery store or classroom.
Our symptoms have stopped and we are all feeling better. What is next?
Returning to normal life after a COVID-19 infection will take time. Be sure to review the CDC’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines to understand when further testing is necessary and what steps you should take before ending your isolation. And as always, continue to take precautions such as practicing good hand hygiene, always wearing a mask in public, indoor spaces, and social distancing.
COVID-19 infections are concerning and also a major inconvenience to individuals and families. That is why protecting yourself and those you love through vaccination is the best way to avoid severe illness, hospitalization and even death. Learn more about vaccination against COVID-19 here.