FAQs
How to treat COVID-19 symptoms at home
- get lots of rest.
- drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear.
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
Caregivers should:
- Wear a mask and gloves when providing care, if available. Masks should be worn by the sick person and caregiver when in close contact.
- Clean surfaces throughout the home daily. Use soap and water or other household cleaners, then use a disinfectant. ...
- Wash laundry thoroughly.
Based on preliminary data, COVID-19 still ranks as the 10th most common cause of death in the U.S. for 2023, a drop from 3rd in 2020 and 2021 and 4th in 2022.
Will I get COVID if my husband has it? ›
Because coronavirus is transmitted through close contact with someone who is infected, it's common for the virus to spread within homes. But a positive diagnosis for one person doesn't always mean others will be infected.
How do you relieve COVID-19 symptoms? ›
Many people with COVID-19 get better with rest, fluids and treatment for their symptoms. Medicine you can get without a prescription can help. Some examples are: Fever reducers.
What is the best way to help the body recover from COVID-19? ›
Tips for recovering from COVID-19
- Taking the time to rest. ...
- Eat well and ensure you're staying hydrated.
- When you can, return to gentle movement such as walking and stretching. ...
- Don't ignore your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
However, individuals are typically contagious for about 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For those with mild to moderate symptoms, this period can be shorter, often around 5-7 days. For people with severe symptoms or those with a weakened immune system, contagiousness can last longer, potentially up to 20 days.
What is the medication for COVID? ›
Remdesivir may be prescribed for people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 and need supplemental oxygen or have a higher risk of serious illness. It's given through a needle in the skin (intravenously). Paxlovid is another drug approved to treat COVID-19 in adults.
How to get COVID out of your system? ›
COVID-19: Treatments and Medications
- Medications to reduce fever (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
- Drinking water to stay hydrated.
- Getting plenty of rest to help your body fight off the virus.
And some, like smallpox, continue to cause high levels of illness, death, and disability, until we all agree that enough is enough and take action. With nearly as many hospitalizations in January 2024 as in January 2023, it's clear that COVID is not growing milder and it's not fading away.
On average, a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection lasts for 10 days. However, how quickly you bounce back from a COVID-19 infection depends on various factors, including your health before the infection, any underlying conditions you may have, and which variant of the virus you have contracted.
How long do COVID symptoms last? ›
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few days or weeks of their first COVID-19 symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
Can you sleep in the same bed with someone who has COVID? ›
If you test positive or develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate from others and follow isolation recommendations at www.dhs.wi.gov/covid-19/diagnosed.htm. much as possible. separate rooms, using different bathrooms, not sleeping in the same bed, and eating in separate areas. phones or other electronics.
Can I go out if I have COVID? ›
Most people with COVID-19 will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days. If you have a positive COVID-19 test result, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test. There is different advice for children and young people aged 18 and under.
What are the first symptoms of COVID? ›
Possible symptoms include:
- Fever or chills.
- Cough.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Headache.
If you're wondering what to eat with COVID, many whole foods—like fruits and whole grains—and dairy products can contain nutrients beneficial to immune system functioning while you're sick. Other foods and drinks, such as sweets and sodas, can be less helpful.
What to do if someone in the house has COVID? ›
Isolation recommendations
Isolate (stay home) and stay away from others in your household who are not infected. Sleep and stay in a separate room in your home from those not infected. Wear a mask when you are around others indoors, even at home, for 10 days*.
When is COVID most contagious? ›
Researchers estimate that people who get infected with COVID-19 can spread it to others 2-3 days before symptoms start and are most contagious 1-2 days before they feel sick. if you have the Omicron variant, you may become contagious more quickly because of its shorter COVID-19 incubation period.
