Most cases of COVID-19 are mild with
symptoms like fever,
cough, shortness of breath, chills,
headache, muscle pain, sore throat,
or loss of taste or smell. Not everyone
with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms
and this list does not include
all possible symptoms. Talk to your
doctor or clinic
about getting tested if you have
symptoms. Here are a few simple steps to
help yourself feel better if you can
manage your symptoms at home.
Get plenty of rest and do activities
that require little effort like reading
a book,
or watching a movie. Drink lots of water
and other fluids.
If you have a sore throat, eat soft foods
like soup
or smoothies. If you regularly take any
medicine prescribed by your doctor
keep taking it unless a healthcare
provider tells you to stop.
If you have a fever, take fever-reducing
medicine like acetaminophen following
the instructions on the product label.
You should feel better in a week or two.
If your symptoms get worse, it's time to
call your doctor or clinic.
For example, if you have trouble
breathing like when you walk from room
to room.
If you have a fever of over 100 degrees
for a few days,
even when you take medicine to bring it
down. Or you feel
too sick to get up, eat or drink, or watch
tv.
Your doctor or clinic will tell you over
the phone if you need to come in.
The risk for severe illness from covid19
increases with age.
If you are an older adult or have other
medical conditions
let your healthcare provider know you
are sick they may have specific advice
for you.
You should still call 911 when there is a medical emergency
like a lot of trouble breathing, pain or
pressure in your chest,
feeling confused, your lips, gums
tongue, or face look gray or bluish, or if
your family or friends can't wake you.
Tell the 911 operator that you have or
might have COVID-19.
Taking care of your symptoms at home
when you can is an
important way to slow the spread of
COVID-19.
To learn more about how you can protect
yourself and your family,
visit health.mn.gov
