What To Do If You Get COVID-19

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What To Do If You Get COVID-19

 Getting Medical Care

Call us: If you think you’re child has been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, we will offer advice or schedule an appointment.  

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

According to the CDC, other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Call  before leaving home and follow our staff members instructions. 

Notify our office that you or your child has come in contact COVID-19 before entering the building. This will help the office protect  staff and other patients. You will be asked to wear a mask to protect healthcare workers and other patients.

Many people including children with COVID-19 will be able to self-care at home if symptoms are not severe.

Get care immediately if you feel your child’s symptoms worse or you think it is an emergency. Dial 9-1-1 in case of emergency. Seek emergency medical care immediately for any of these warning signs:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Should your child get tested for COVID-19?

Many patients with mild symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19. Please call our office we may consider an online care visit to discuss your symptoms.

Self-Isolation

Stay home except to get medical care: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 may be able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate from other people in your home. As much as possible, have those sick stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.

Limit contact with pets & animals: Try to restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you must care for your pet, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

 Limiting Spread of COVID-19

Cover mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.

Wash hands: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a face covering: Wear a cloth face covering or mask if you must come in contact with other people or animals. If you cannot tolerate a face covering, for example due to trouble breathing, cover your coughs and sneezes another way.

Do not share: Do not share dishes, cups/glasses, eating utensils, towels or bedding with other people in your home. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water or put in the dishwasher/washing machine.

Clean and disinfect: Routinely clean high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but not your bedroom and bathroom.

High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

 When to Stop Self-Isolation

Follow the guidance of Florida Department of Health. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with our office and the Florida Department of Health recommendations.

People with COVID-19 can typically stop home isolation under the following conditions:

1. You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of no fever without fever-reducing medicine)
AND
2. other symptoms have improved (for example, your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
3. at least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared or you received two negative COVID-19 tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines on testing.

Advice adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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