What To Do If You Think You May Have Coronavirus
18.28.00
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For many people in the United States, the reality of the new coronavirus is really starting to hit home. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that the new coronavirus (the infectious disease also known as COVID-19) is now officially a pandemic, which means that sustained spread of the virus is occurring in many different areas of the globe.
The number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. has been steadily increasing as well. The first potential case of community-associated spread (meaning that people were getting the illness without a clear source) was announced in California on February 26, and experts believe the infection has likely been spreading in the U.S. since the first case was diagnosed in Washington on January 20. At press time, 938 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in the country, with 29 deaths.
Unfortunately, this number is likely an underestimate, as testing is only beginning in most areas and not everyone who has symptoms of the new coronavirus (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) is being tested. We expect the case numbers to grow rapidly at this point, which means it’s time to prepare for the likely possibility that you—or someone you know—may get COVID-19.
Call your doctor before going anywhere for testing.
One of the tricky things about the new coronavirus is that some of the symptoms can be mild and feel similar in some ways to having the flu or the common cold. For infectious disease experts, it’s tough to strike a balance between making sure people get the testing and monitoring they may need and having everyone rush to their doctors’ office or hospital the moment they cough, which could potentially overwhelm the health care system at such a crucial time.
So if you’re starting to experience symptoms like a fever and cough, don’t immediately head to the doctor or a hospital for testing. “At this point, I recommend to self-quarantine at home and call [your primary care physician’s] office and ask for advice,” Dr. Watkins says. (You can also see if your state has a COVID-19 hotline to call.) “The situation is rapidly changing due to the increasing availability of testing for the virus,” Dr. Watkins says.
There are reports of people with symptoms having a hard time getting answers about testing, which I know must be incredibly frustrating and scary. For now, though, much of the testing is being limited to the most serious cases. Plus, there are no antiviral treatment options available for COVID-19. That means that even if you are confirmed to have the illness, if your case is mild, your doctor would likely suggest doing the same thing as if you thought you had the illness but couldn’t get tested. That’s not to say there’s any excuse for how confusing and limited testing has been, but that if you think you have COVID-19, are otherwise healthy, and are only dealing with mild symptoms, it’s best to seek a health care provider’s guidance before leaving your home to get testing.
Stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave.
Specific guidance on what to do if you have COVID-19 varies state by state, but Dr. Bhadelia notes that most states are asking people who are diagnosed with the new coronavirus to isolate themselves in their homes. (This would also apply if you thought you had the illness but couldn’t get diagnosed.)
“Restrict activities outside the home,” Dr. Watkins says. “Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis should be avoided.”
The number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. has been steadily increasing as well. The first potential case of community-associated spread (meaning that people were getting the illness without a clear source) was announced in California on February 26, and experts believe the infection has likely been spreading in the U.S. since the first case was diagnosed in Washington on January 20. At press time, 938 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in the country, with 29 deaths.
Unfortunately, this number is likely an underestimate, as testing is only beginning in most areas and not everyone who has symptoms of the new coronavirus (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) is being tested. We expect the case numbers to grow rapidly at this point, which means it’s time to prepare for the likely possibility that you—or someone you know—may get COVID-19.
Call your doctor before going anywhere for testing.
One of the tricky things about the new coronavirus is that some of the symptoms can be mild and feel similar in some ways to having the flu or the common cold. For infectious disease experts, it’s tough to strike a balance between making sure people get the testing and monitoring they may need and having everyone rush to their doctors’ office or hospital the moment they cough, which could potentially overwhelm the health care system at such a crucial time.
So if you’re starting to experience symptoms like a fever and cough, don’t immediately head to the doctor or a hospital for testing. “At this point, I recommend to self-quarantine at home and call [your primary care physician’s] office and ask for advice,” Dr. Watkins says. (You can also see if your state has a COVID-19 hotline to call.) “The situation is rapidly changing due to the increasing availability of testing for the virus,” Dr. Watkins says.
There are reports of people with symptoms having a hard time getting answers about testing, which I know must be incredibly frustrating and scary. For now, though, much of the testing is being limited to the most serious cases. Plus, there are no antiviral treatment options available for COVID-19. That means that even if you are confirmed to have the illness, if your case is mild, your doctor would likely suggest doing the same thing as if you thought you had the illness but couldn’t get tested. That’s not to say there’s any excuse for how confusing and limited testing has been, but that if you think you have COVID-19, are otherwise healthy, and are only dealing with mild symptoms, it’s best to seek a health care provider’s guidance before leaving your home to get testing.
Stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave.
Specific guidance on what to do if you have COVID-19 varies state by state, but Dr. Bhadelia notes that most states are asking people who are diagnosed with the new coronavirus to isolate themselves in their homes. (This would also apply if you thought you had the illness but couldn’t get diagnosed.)
“Restrict activities outside the home,” Dr. Watkins says. “Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis should be avoided.”