How To Care For Yourself At Home With COVID-19

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is essential to isolate yourself from others immediately. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, chills, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of taste and/or smell, sore throat, and nausea. 

If you have any of these symptoms, you should get a COVID-19 diagnostic test. It is important to note that diagnostic tests can yield false-negative results, so even if you have a negative test, you should continue to isolate yourself if you have symptoms. 

How to Care for Yourself at Home with COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published three main recommendations on how to care for yourself at home with COVID-19. It is important to support your immune system while it fights off the virus. The three recommendations include:

• Take over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever
• Drink water to stay hydrated
• Get plenty of rest

What NOT to do

Do not take any drugs that are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for treatment of COVID-19. The FDA has only approved one drug, Remdesivir (Veklury), to treat COVID-19. It is dangerous to take any drugs not prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Do not use any form of public transportation, including subways and taxis. Putting other people at risk of COVID-19 continues to spread the virus. The best way to ensure you are not exposing people is to reduce contact with those around you.