What to do if you have COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself and the ones close to you safe. The majority of people who come down with COVID have mild to moderate symptoms – fever, chills, cough, and other symptoms similar to a bad cold or the flu and recover in a couple of weeks. Those with more serious cases may take several weeks to recover. The CDC has guidelines for people with COVID to isolate themselves. Learn more at cdc.gov.

Follow these steps if you test positive for COVID-19:

• Call your primary care physician as soon as possible. Your physician can help you monitor symptoms and can order special treatments if you are eligible. If you do not have a primary care physician, call one of the following:
  • Med Center Health Primary Care Bowling Green
  • Medical Center Urgentcare
  • Med Center Health Staywell Clinic
  • Primary Care Caverna
  • Primary Care Franklin
  • Primary Care Munfordville
  • Primary Care Scottsville
  • Primary Care Fountain Run

• Stay home except to get medical care. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
• Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
• Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
• 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. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.
• Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.

Visit cdc.gov for more advice about steps you can take to keep those around you safe.

When to seek emergency medical attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• 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

*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 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.