COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus can lead to a wide spectrum of health issues, from showing no symptoms to developing a severe illness. If you receive a positive test result or suspect infection, understanding the next steps is important for your recovery and the health of those around you. This information can guide your immediate actions, symptom management, and monitoring for any long-term effects.
Recognizing Acute Symptoms
Symptoms typically appear between two and fourteen days after exposure, with a common onset around five or six days. The initial presentation often mimics other respiratory illnesses, making early differentiation difficult. Fever or chills are frequently reported as first signs of illness.
Commonly experienced symptoms include fatigue, cough, headache, and muscle or body aches. Some individuals also experience cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, congestion, or a runny nose, or loss of taste or smell. Less common symptoms include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms generally range from mild to moderate and usually persist for up to two weeks.
Immediate Steps Following a Positive Test
The first action upon receiving a positive result is to begin isolation to prevent transmission of the virus. Isolation means staying home and avoiding contact with people who do not have COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.
Current guidelines suggest isolating for at least five full days, starting from the day symptoms began, or the day of the positive test if asymptomatic. You should only end isolation after five days if your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for a full twenty-four hours without fever-reducing medication.
After isolation, take extra precautions until at least day ten. This includes wearing a well-fitting mask whenever you are around others, both inside and outside the home. Within the household, try to separate yourself by using a dedicated room and, if possible, a separate bathroom.
Inform any close contacts you had, starting from two days before your symptoms appeared or two days before your positive test. This allows them to monitor for symptoms and get tested. Rest, hydration, and maintaining a comfortable recovery space are also immediate priorities.
Managing Symptoms and Seeking Urgent Care
Symptom Management
Most people with a mild or moderate infection can recover at home by focusing on symptom relief and supportive care. Over-the-counter medications manage common discomforts. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen reduce fever, headaches, and body aches, while cough suppressants and decongestants ease respiratory symptoms. Getting plenty of rest and maintaining adequate fluid intake helps prevent dehydration and clear congestion. Using a humidifier or taking warm showers can soothe a sore throat and cough. Avoid alcohol and heavy exercise, as these activities can worsen symptoms during the acute phase.
Antiviral Treatment and Urgent Care
For individuals at higher risk of developing severe illness, such as those over age fifty or those with certain underlying medical conditions, prescription antiviral treatments may be an option. Oral medications, such as Paxlovid, prevent the virus from multiplying, significantly reducing the risk of hospitalization.
Antivirals must be started as soon as possible, ideally within five days of symptom onset. Contact a healthcare provider immediately after a positive test. A healthcare professional will assess your eligibility based on risk factors and medical history.
Monitor your condition closely for any signs of worsening illness that require immediate medical attention. Emergency warning signs include:
- Trouble breathing or persistent shortness of breath.
- Constant pain or pressure in the chest.
- New confusion.
- Inability to wake or stay awake.
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds.
Understanding Post-Infection Conditions
For some individuals, symptoms of the illness can persist or newly emerge long after the initial infection has resolved, a phenomenon referred to as post-infection conditions or Long Covid. While many people recover within a few weeks, these lingering symptoms can last for months or even years.
The World Health Organization suggests that this condition can be defined as symptoms that continue or develop three months after the initial infection, lasting for at least two months, and not explained by an alternative diagnosis. Over two hundred different symptoms have been reported in connection with this condition.
Common persistent symptoms include profound fatigue that is often worsened by physical or mental effort, difficulties with thinking or memory often called “brain fog,” and shortness of breath. Other frequent complaints are headaches, joint or muscle pain, and heart-related symptoms like palpitations.
If symptoms significantly impact your daily life, it is important to track them and consult with a healthcare provider. A healthcare team can help create a personalized plan to manage symptoms, which may include physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, or other specialized treatments. Research continues to explore the underlying causes, which may involve altered immune responses or microscopic blood clots.