What to do if you Test Positive for COVID? – COVID Update

What to do if you test positive for COVID – The impact of COVID-19 is not going down as everyone expected worldwide. COVID-19 started in November 2019 in Wuhan, China, and even after 2 ½ years, it is still haunting the whole world, including the United States of America.

Even in July 2022, the United States of America is under attack on the 6th wave of coronavirus. The positive cases of COVID-19, along with deaths caused by the virus, are once again rising in the country. It has even been mentioned by the World Health Organization that countries like America and Canada are seeing a sharp rise in deaths caused by COVID.

During this time, you need to ensure you have complete knowledge of the virus. In case you are not aware of the basics of viruses, today you can learn about them here as we are going to discuss what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.

 We will take a look at the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for every American in the country. So, without wasting our time, let’s get started

Isolation and Quarantine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have strict guidelines for everyone who tests positive for COVID-19. These guidelines are going to be for everyone regardless of their vaccine status. 

Even if you are fully vaccinated or did not receive any dose of vaccine at all, these guidelines are for both people.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest everyone isolate themselves as soon as they get a dear self-tested positive for COVID-19.
• The isolation and quarantine guidelines are also going to be valid even if you develop any symptoms related to COVID-19 once you have encountered someone with the infection.
• The CDC suggests everyone stay home for at least five days or till they can spend 24 hours fever free without the help of any medicine related to fever.
• The complete isolation and quarantine. Recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention is around ten days.
• You should try to avoid traveling as much as possible during the ten days, and if it is necessary, then you can travel after the 5th day of your symptoms.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest you end your isolation after ten days if you can recover from the symptoms related to COVID-19.

Testing for the Virus

The second thing you can do once you get tested positive for COVID-19 is get yourself tested at regular intervals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest everyone get themselves regularly tested regardless of their infection status. That is why the federal government, along with the CDC, has been driving several COVID testing drives throughout the nation, and you can get yourself tested for COVID-19 free of cost.

In case you develop any symptoms related to COVID-19, such as cough, fever, sore throat, and loss of taste, then you should get yourself tested as early as possible. 

While you are getting your test, you should follow all the precautions related to COVID-19, such as regular use of a mask, social distancing, and prior notification to the laboratory.

You are advised to test yourself regularly for ten days in a gap of two days. If you get two COVID-19 test reports constantly, then you can end your isolation. But you should keep wearing your mask and avoid going to any public place.

Monitor your symptoms

The next thing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest for everyone is to monitor their symptoms related to COVID-19.

As for the latest statistics, we can see that the trend of COVID-positive people has been increasing, but the rate of hospitalization and death is not as serious as it was before.

The rate of hospitalization and death is on the much lower side as compared to other variants of COVID-19. Because of that, you might not require any medical attention, and people have been reporting getting better after two or three days since they started developing symptoms related to COVID-19.

But there is always a risk of severe infection and hospitalization due to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest everyone keep monitoring their symptoms, and if the symptoms are getting worse rather than better, then you should consult with your doctor. You might require hospitalization.

Call your Doctor

Even though there is significantly less need for a doctor or hospitalization, some cases over 19 might require emergency medical attention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a separate set of guidelines for people who are getting severely ill due to infection of COVID-19.

• If you are having trouble breathing, then you should call 911 or consult with your doctor. You might require immediate medical attention as Trouble breathing is not a common symptom.
• In case you are experiencing persistent pain or pressure in your chest, then you should call 911 or consult with your doctor.
• Some other symptoms, such as new confusion or inability to wake up or stay awake even after hours of nap, also require immediate medical assistance.
• In case you are experiencing pale, Gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail breeds, then you should consult with your doctor as it is not the normal or common symptom of COVID-19.