Anyone who develops symptoms should avoid others and get tested (PCR or rapid antigen). If positive, follow isolation guidance. If negative, stay home until symptoms resolve. If symptoms worsen or change, follow up with your medical provider and consider getting another COVID-19 test

Symptoms of COVID-19 include (new/different/worse from baseline of chronic illness): temperature 100.4+ or signs of fever (chills/sweating), sore throat, new onset of cough, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, new onset of headache, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle aches.

1) Start isolating yourself right away. 

• Stay home except to get medical care. 
• Stay away from everyone else in your household (stay in a separate room, use separate bathroom if possible, etc.). 
• Talk to your primary care provider or an urgent care provider right away to see if you qualify for treatment. This is especially important for those who are high risk. 
• Tell your employer you have COVID-19.

2) Think of the people you were around 48 hours before you developed symptoms or tested positive (whichever came first). 

• Tell them you tested positive so they can follow quarantine guidance. This is especially important for personal/household contacts* and immunocompromised or high-risk people. 

*Personal/household contacts includes those who live with you, sleep over, carpool, or have direct exposure to your respiratory secretions (e.g., kissing, sharing drinks, changing diapers, etc.).

3) On Day 5, do you have no symptoms or are your symptoms improving? ("improving symptoms" means your symptoms have gotten noticeably better. Some symptoms [like fatigue & loss of smell] may last longer. For questions, contact your medical provider.)

• If yes, you can stop isolation on day 6*. Wear a well-fitting mask around others (including household members) through day 10. If you cannot wear a mask, continue isolating for the full 10 days.
• If no, you should not stop isolation. Continue isolating until symptoms improve or 10 days have gone by since you tested positive or first developed symptoms**. 

*No one should leave isolation until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. If symptoms are not resolving or are worsening, seek medical care.

NOTE: If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your isolation period starts over. Day 0 is your first day of isolation

Additional recommendations from the Washtenaw County Health Department:

Taking these extra steps can further reduce your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others.

• Take a rapid antigen test on day 5 of isolation. 
  • If negative, end isolation on day 6 and wear a mask around others through day 10.
  • If positive, continue to isolate through day 10.
• If you end isolation on day 6, be more cautious through day 10. Limit being around others as much as you can. 
• If you are often around vulnerable populations (e.g., immunocompromised or elderly people): 
  • Consider continuing isolation for longer (a full 10 days).
  • If you decide to stop isolation before 10 days, take a rapid antigen test. If positive, consider isolating for the full 10 days.

How to count days after testing positive:

Recommendations for Isolating a Sick Person to Protect Other Household Members

• Stay in a separate room from the rest of your household members. 
• Use a separate bathroom if possible. 
• Keep toothbrushes separate if you must use the same bathroom. 
• Family and roommates should avoid contact with sick person and practice self-quarantine. 
• Wear a mask if you go into shared spaces.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. Learn about disinfecting your home if someone is sick.
• Review our specific recommendations for Isolation, Quarantine, Self-Monitoring and Social Distancing:  English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic

Managing Symptoms at Home

• Many can manage mild symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, fatigue, abdominal cramps, mild nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, at home. Consult with your health care provider about managing your symptoms.
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) for fever. Follow label instructions and do not exceed the maximum dose per day for any medication. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about your personal health.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water or sports drinks. Eat when possible. 
• Review 10 ways to manage respiratory symptoms at home from CDC.

When to Seek Medical Care

If you test positive for COVID-19, talk to your primary care provider or an urgent care provider right away to see if you qualify for treatment. This is especially important for those who are high risk. Learn more about treatments here.

Call your doctor if you have: 

• Fever that does not come down with medication. 
• Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours or any bloody diarrhea. 
• Shortness of breath.
• Symptoms that keep getting worse and feel unmanageable.
• Other reported symptoms include: chills, repeated shaking with chills, severe tiredness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, runny nose, and/or a new loss of taste or smell

Call ahead to the Emergency Department or Call 9-1-1 if you have: 

• Difficulty breathing/inability to catch your breath. 
• Chest pain or persistent pressure. 
• Feel faint, light-headed, new confusion, or unstable in any other way.
• Bluish lips or face

When Seeking Care at a Health Care Facility:

• Call ahead to get instructions from your health care provider. 
• Avoid using public transportation to get to your medical provider or emergency department. Do not use busses, Uber, Lyft, or taxi cabs. If you are unable to drive yourself and do not have a ride, call 9-1-1 for transport by ambulance. Inform them of your symptoms ahead of time. 
• If a family member or friend is giving you a ride, wear a mask while you are in the vehicle with them. 
• If you are driving yourself, put on a mask before exiting your vehicle.

If the person you were exposed to is a personal or household contact: 

Personal/household contacts includes those who live with you, sleep over, carpool, or have direct exposure to your respiratory secretions (e.g., kissing, sharing drinks, changing diapers, etc.).

• Monitor for symptoms for 10 days.
• Test at least one time if possible 3-7 days after exposure (if symptoms develop, definitely test).
• Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from the date of last exposure to protect others. If unable or unwilling to mask, quarantine at home for 10 days.
• Avoid unmasked activities or activities with higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals for 10 days from the date of last exposure.*

If the person you were exposed to is not a personal or household contact: 

(e.g., you were exposed in a community, social, or work setting)

• Monitor for symptoms for 10 days.
• Test if you develop symptoms.
• Consider wearing a well-fitting mask for 10 days from the date of last exposure to protect others. At a minimum, wear a mask in settings with higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals.
• Avoid unmasked activities or activities with higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals for 10 days from the date of last exposure.*

*Activities with higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals may include activities where you cannot mask, interactions with those who are immunocompromised or other high-risk individuals, and social/recreational activities in congregate settings.  

If you develop symptoms, avoid others and get tested (PCR or rapid antigen). If positive, follow isolation guidance. If negative, stay home until symptoms resolve. If symptoms worsen or change, follow up with a medical provider and consider getting another test.

Additional recommendations from the Washtenaw County Health Department:

Taking these extra steps can further reduce your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others.

• If you are often around vulnerable populations (e.g., immunocompromised or elderly people): 
  • Consider staying home/quarantining for a full 10 days after exposure.

How to count days after being exposed: