Self-Care for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Self-Care for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Taking Care of Yourself When You Have COVID-19

If you are diagnosed with coronavirus or think you might have it, here’s how to care for yourself and family members.

Stay Home Until

• You have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (that’s three full days of no fever without taking any fever reducing medicine)
• Other symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, have improved
• At least seven days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

Leave Home Only

• Monitor your symptoms and stay in touch with your doctor if you feel worse.
• Call before you go to any health care setting.

Stay Away from Others

• At home, stay away from family members and pets.
• Wear a facemask if you have to be around others to protect them from your cough and sneeze droplets.
• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses or cups, eating utensils, towels or other bedding with people in your home. Wash these items thoroughly after each use.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces including sinks, microwave, refrigerator, toilets, shower, bath, etc., after you use them.
• Wear a facemask and gloves if you need to be around family members and pets.

Take Care of Yourself

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Keep warm.
• Use a humidifier or take a hot shower for sore throat and cough.
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce fever and relieve aches and pains.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after you blow your nose, cough, sneeze, use the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available