If you’ve started experiencing the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you’re probably wondering what you should do next. You may be asking yourself whether you need professional treatment at all, and if so, whether you need to get yourself to the nearest emergency room as quickly as possible.
Chances are good that you can skip the ER visit. Most cases of COVID-19 produce relatively mild symptoms, and as such, don’t require hospitalization. Common COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
In some cases, however, COVID-19 can cause life-threatening symptoms that require emergency care, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish coloring in the lips or face
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- Sudden confusion
- Severe drowsiness
If you’re experiencing any of these more severe COVID-19 symptoms, call 911 or get to a nearby emergency department.
What If You’re Not Experiencing Life-Threatening Symptoms?
So, what should you do if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms but they’re not life-threatening? Unless your symptoms worsen, you’ll likely be able to treat them at home. Some common at-home remedies for COVID-19 symptoms are:
- Resting
- Taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen
- Drinking water and other fluids to prevent dehydration
You’ll also want to reach out to your primary care physician or a local urgent care provider to ensure that you’re following the right treatment plan for your specific condition.
While you’re recovering, it’s important to isolate yourself from the public and from other members of your household who haven’t been infected with the virus. You should continue isolating yourself until you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours; your respiratory symptoms have resolved; and either 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared or you’ve taken two COVID-19 tests and received negative results at least 24 hours apart.
Where to Find Help
If you’re experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, you don’t need to look far for urgent care treatment. To get started, visit a Yale New Haven Health urgent care location.
To minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, we’re pleased to offer telehealth virtual visits. Find out more.
