Care Advice
COVID-19 Exposure, but NO Symptoms
- Exposure and No Symptoms
- Although you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not currently have any symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms start, on the average, 5 days after the last exposure. The onset can range from 2 to 10 days.
- Since it's been less than 10 days, you are still at risk for coming down with COVID-19.
- You need to watch for symptoms until 10 days have passed.
- Stay at home if you are not vaccinated and follow this medical advice.
- You Do Not Need to See Your Doctor
- Your child does not have any symptoms. Exposed people don’t need to see a doctor.
- You do need to get a COVID-19 test. See Testing section below.
- If your child becomes sick and develops more than mild symptoms, you may need to see your doctor.
- You can find the answers to most of your questions here or online.
- Measure Temperature
- Measure your temperature 2 times each day.
- Do this for 10 days after your exposure to COVID-19.
- If a fever occurs, get a COVID-19 test.
- Early detection of symptoms and quarantine is the only way to reduce spread of the disease.
- Self-Monitor for COVID-19 Symptoms
- The most common symptoms are cough and fever. Some patients progress to shortness of breath (trouble breathing).
- Other common symptoms are chills, shivering (shaking), runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, fatigue (tiredness) and loss of smell or taste.
- Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- A rare symptom is red or purple toes ("COVID toes").
- If any of these symptoms occur, get a COVID-19 test.
- Early detection of symptoms and home isolation are the only ways to reduce spread of the disease.
- Home Quarantine: How to Do
- Quarantine means restricting people who were exposed to a contagious disease from contact with others who are well. They are monitored closely to see if they stay well or become sick (CDC). The CDC recommendations are different for up-to-date (fully vaccinated) versus not-up-to-date (unvaccinated or partially vaccinated) people.
- Up-to-date Fully Vaccinated people are defined as having received the primary vaccine series and a booster shot, if eligible.
- Not-Up-to-date people are defined as:
- not vaccinated at all OR
- completed Pfizer or Moderna primary series over 5 months ago but not yet boosted OR
- completed J&J primary series over 2 months ago but not yet boosted
- People Not Up-to-date Vaccinated for COVID-19: need to home quarantine.
- Stay home for 5 days on quarantine.
- After that, wear a mask around others for another 5 days.
- Get tested on day 5 after close contact with an infected person. If positive, see other Care Guide.
- If you have questions regarding the timeframe for quarantine, call your doctor during office hours.
- Home quarantine means:
- Do Not allow any visitors (such as friends).
- Do Not go to school or work.
- Do Not go to stores, restaurants, places of worship or other public places.
- Avoid public transportation or ride sharing.
- Other family members are not on quarantine unless the exposed person becomes sick.
- People Up-to-date and Fully Vaccinated for COVID-19: do not need to home quarantine.
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Get tested on day 5 after close contact with an infected person. If positive, see other Care Guide.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Fever occurs
- Cough or trouble breathing occurs
- Other symptoms occur
Testing for COVID-19
- COVID-19 Testing: Who Needs It
- Testing is the only way to know for sure who has COVID-19. You can’t tell by symptoms. Reason: most respiratory viruses cause similar symptoms.
- It is easiest to test at home using a COVID-19 test kit (rapid antigen). Free kits can be ordered to have on hand using this link: www.cdc.gov/tests. These kits are also available at most pharmacies. Testing is offered at many sites without a doctor's order. Many doctor’s offices, retail clinics, and urgent care centers offer testing. Community drive-through sites or pharmacies may also be testing site options.
- Your doctor is the best resource for up-to-date information on testing. If you have questions about testing, call them during office hours.
- Here are some facts that may answer some of your questions:
- Diagnostic tests: these are performed on nasal or mouth secretions. The tests can tell us if you have a COVID-19 infection now. Timing is important on when to do this test:
- With Symptoms. Get a test within 3 days of onset of symptoms. If you test negative on day 1 and continue to have cold-like symptoms, re-test on day 3.
- Without Symptoms and a COVID-19 close contact. Get a test on day 5 after exposure. To be safe, people who have the COVID-19 vaccine should also be tested (CDC).
- Repeat diagnostic tests: after a positive test, repeat tests are not recommended. Positive tests are reliable. Even after it is safe to stop isolation (usually 5 days), tests may stay positive. A positive test does not mean the patient can spread the infection once the required isolation period is completed. After a negative home test, if you have symptoms, re-test at home in 2 days. If the test is again negative and you live with a high-risk person, talk with your doctor about getting a more accurate PCR test. Reason: negative home tests are not always reliable.
- Antibody Tests: these are performed on blood. They are rarely needed. They can sometimes tell us if you have antibodies from a previous infection. They are not done until at least 2 to 3 weeks have passed from the start of the infection. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this test.
COVID-19 Prevention
- COVID-19 Vaccine - Get Your COVID-19 Shot and a Booster Shot:
- Vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health action. They are the most powerful weapon we have against deadly infectious diseases. Follow the science.
- Safe and effective vaccines are now available for people age 5 and older. The CDC suggests everyone age 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster, when eligible. Here is a link to the CDC booster tool: CDC booster shots.
- Vaccine testing is wrapping up for young children ages 6 months up to 5 years. If proven safe and effective, vaccines will be available soon for this age group.
- Get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster when recommended. It could save your life and protect your family.
- Vaccine Sites: find a nearby vaccine site at vaccines.gov or call your doctor’s office.
- COVID-19 - How to Protect Yourself and Family from Catching It - The Basics:
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster when recommended. It is your best protection against this serious infection.
- Avoid close contact with people outside your family unit. Avoid closed spaces (indoors) when possible and all crowds (even outdoors).
- Always wear a face mask when in public indoor settings. Also, observe social (safe) distancing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water (very important). Always do this before you eat.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not available. Remember: soap and water work better.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean. Germs on the hands can get into your body this way.
- Don't share glasses, plates or eating utensils.
- No longer shake hands. Greet others with a smile and a nod.
- If you need to be seen for an urgent medical problem, do not hesitate to go in. ERs and urgent care sites are safe places. They are well-equipped to protect you against the virus. For non-urgent symptoms, talk to your doctor's office first. Medical offices are also safe places.
- Social (Safe) Distancing and COVID-19 Prevention:
- Avoid any contact with people known to have COVID-19 infection. Avoid talking to or sitting close to them.
- Social Distancing: try to stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from anyone who is sick, especially if they are coughing. Also called physical distancing. Avoid crowds, because you can’t tell who might be sick.
- If COVID-19 becomes widespread in your community, try to stay 6 feet (2 meters) away from everyone outside your family unit.
- Stay at Home Orders: follow any stay at home (stay in place) orders in your community if they occur. Leave your home only for essential needs such as buying food or seeking medical care.
- After Stay at Home Orders are Lifted: continue social distancing. Also wear a mask when entering any public building or crowded outdoor area. These precautions will be needed for many months. Your state public health department will decide when they are no longer needed.
- Face Masks and COVID-19 Prevention:
- Overview: face masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Reason: people with COVID-19 can have no symptoms, but still spread the virus. Masks will also reduce the spread of flu.
- Sick patients: should always wear a face mask, if you are around other people or need to leave the home. Example: for medical visits. Exception: patients with trouble breathing in a mask (CDC). Consider a loose face covering, such as a bandana.
- Well people: although mask mandates have been lifted most places, you should still consider wearing a mask if:
- You are in indoor public spaces (such as a church or a grocery store).
- You are in a crowded outdoor setting (e.g., concert, music festival, rally).
- You are traveling on a plane, bus, train, or other form of public transit.
- You are in a transportation hub such as an airport or train station.
- You must be around someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Age Limits: face coverings are not recommended for children less than 2 years (CDC).
- Keep Your Body Strong:
- Get your body ready to fight the COVID-19 virus.
- Get enough sleep (very important).
- Keep your heart strong. Walk or exercise every day. Take the stairs. Caution: avoid physical exhaustion.
- Stay well-hydrated.
- Eat healthy meals. Avoid overeating to deal with your fears.
- Avoid the over-use of anti-fever medicines. Fever fights infections and ramps up your immune system.
- Keep Your Mind Positive
- Live in the present, not the future. The future is where your needless worries live.
- Stay positive. Use a mantra to reduce your fears, such as "I am strong."
- Get outdoors. Take daily walks. Go to a park if you live near one. Being in nature is good for your immune system.
- Show love. As long as they are well, hug your children and partner frequently. Speak to them in a kind and loving voice. Love strengthens your immune system.
- Stay in touch. Use regular phone calls and video chats to stay in touch with those you love.
- How to Protect Others - When You or Your Child are Sick:
- Stay home from school or work if you are sick. Your doctor or local health department will tell you when it is safe to return.
- Cough and sneeze into your shirt sleeve or inner elbow. Don't cough into your hand or the air.
- If available, sneeze into a tissue and throw it into a trash can.
- Wash hands often with soap and water. After coughing or sneezing are important times.
- Do not share glasses, plates or eating utensils.
- Wear a face mask when around others.
- Always wear a face mask if you have to leave your home (such as going to a medical facility).
- Carefully avoid any contact with the elderly and people with weak immune systems or other chronic health problems.
- Breastfeeding and COVID-19:
- Breastfeeding experts recommend you continue to breastfeed even if you are sick with COVID-19. Research has shown that the virus is not passed through breastmilk.
- Wash your hands before feeding your baby.
- The CDC recommends wearing a face mask. Be careful to avoid coughing on your baby.
- Breastmilk gives beneficial antibodies your body is making against this illness to your baby. This should provide some protection against this illness for your baby, like it does for influenza and most other viral illnesses.
- Breastfeeding mothers should also get the COVID-19 vaccine and a booster (CDC). Your protective antibodies from the vaccine will be passed to your baby in your breastmilk.
- Call your doctor if breastfeeding isn't going well OR your baby becomes sick.
- Call Your Doctor If:
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.