If you have a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, how can you tell if youve got Covid-19, a common cold, the ordinary flu, or a bad case of the worries? Should you get tested? When should you seek medical care and when should you just stay home?
Two of us (M.H. and M.W.) are primary care doctors who have received numerous calls from concerned patients with symptoms such as cough, fevers, or shortness of breath. Those calls prompted us with the help of several colleagues to develop a simple self-triage tool to help individuals decide when to treat their symptoms safely at home and when to seek medical help. One of the most important things each of us can do during the ongoing pandemic is to free up medical providers to concentrate on the seriously ill.
First the good news: The vast majority perhaps 80% or more of people who come down with Covid-19, especially those under 50, will suffer symptoms that are no more serious than a bad cold or a mild flu and will be better within two weeks. There is no need to seek testing or go to a doctors office. A test result wont change your medical care because there is no treatment at this time other than the usual recommendations for any cold or flu: drink plenty of liquids, rest, stay home, and try over-the-counter remedies. (A test will, however, alert you to be extra careful not to infect others.)
advertisement
In some people, though, Covid-19 is a more serious illness, particularly among the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Thats why the current outbreak must be taken so seriously.
Our team at the Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, in partnership with Akido Labs, developed a triage tool to help guide patients. Its available online for anyone to use. This tool will help most people effectively manage mild and moderate symptoms of Covid-19 at home.
advertisement
We have also compiled the general advice and tips for self-care at home below.
Although the news reports about Covid-19 are alarming, reports from China, Italy, the U.S., and elsewhere indicate that for most people, infection with the novel coronavirus is on par with getting the flu. These steps can help you know if you need formal medical care and, if not, how to care for yourself safely at home.
Know when to seek medical care. The reasons to seek immediate care today are no different than they were before the Covid-19 outbreak. The severe symptoms listed in the table below suggest that you need medical attention. Otherwise, if you have a fever and cough or other cold or flu symptoms, but are otherwise healthy, are under age 60, arent having difficulty breathing, and dont feel seriously ill, youre better off caring for yourself at home.
Severe symptoms that suggest the need for medical attention (please note that this is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but provides general guidance)
Dont go straight to a doctors office or urgent care. Start by calling a medical advice line or a telemedicine option instead. Its wise these days to stay away from crowded places, and that includes emergency departments, hospitals, doctors offices, urgent care centers, and clinics unless you are seriously ill. These are places where you could pick up the coronavirus if you dont have it, or spread your batch to other people.
Many health plans have 800 numbers with nurses or doctors on call to answer questions by phone, as do some doctors offices. Look at your insurance card and make the call. Some clinics are conducting video visits, also known as telemedicine. If you call an advice line first, you can often get the guidance you need without spreading infection or unnecessarily exhausting yourself.
Save testing for those sick enough to need hospitalization. Testing for Covid-19 will not change your medical care because there is no treatment available or necessary for mild symptoms. (People with serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should get supportive care in the hospital.) Tests are currently in short supply and are being prioritized for those who have severe symptoms or who have been exposed to someone diagnosed with Covid-19. If you do not fall into one of those two categories, resist the urge to request testing unless public health officials encourage you to get tested for tracking purposes. (We know as we write this that the indications for testing may loosen in the days ahead as testing supplies increase.)
Practice self-care. Viral infections are dehydrating. Drink plenty of liquids. Pedialyte and soups that contain salt are helpful, as are plain water, tea, juice, and soda. Drink enough so your urine is its normal pale color and you produce as much urine as you usually put out. Note: Not urinating normally is a sign you may need medical attention. If you have special dietary restrictions due to diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, or other condition, get medical advice by phone or email about the fluids that are best for you.
Some over-the-counter medications may help. As anyone who has experienced a cold knows, over-the-counter remedies tend to provide only limited relief, and some may have side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, and raised blood pressure. Try flushing out your nose and sinuses with saline solution. Fever-reducers and pain medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help, and honey can be an effective cough remedy. There is anecdotal evidence that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen may make Covid-19 worse, though more research is needed.
If you have one or more chronic medical conditions, seek telephone advice from an expert to make sure you choose a treatment that is safe for you.
Dont ask for antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work for viral illnesses like Covid-19. They also often cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and rashes.
Get plenty of rest. Infections stress the body. Lots of rest including sleep will help keep your immune system strong so it can devote itself to ridding your body of the virus.
Separate yourself from others to prevent the virus from spreading. If you have the symptoms of a cold or the flu, play it safe and act as if you have Covid-19. Wear a face mask when in a room with others and if you must leave the house. Avoid close interactions with others for 14 days.
Follow the advice of public health authorities. Even for those who arent ill, social distancing will avoid fueling this pandemic. Please heed the advice of your local officials.
This is a scary moment in history. No one should be faulted for feeling anxious. Most people with viral illnesses including Covid-19 can be cared for effectively in their own homes without seeking formal medical care and will recover within two weeks. But its also important to know when to seek expert care.
We hope that our simple tool for self-triage and general advice and tips for self-care at home can ease some of the anxiety. and help you take the best care of yourself and your loved ones without putting yourself or others at unnecessary risk.
Michael Hochman, M.D., is a primary care physician, associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and director of the Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation at Keck. Michael D. Wang, M.D., is a professor of clinical medicine at Keck and director of inpatient programs for the schools Department of Medicine. Katy Butler is a journalist, essayist, and author who writes extensively about health topics. The authors acknowledge the essential contributions of Arek Jibilian, M.D., Carolyn Kaloostian, M.D., Anjali Mahoney, M.D., Rishi Mehta, M.D., Pieter Cohen, M.D., and Chris Hendel for reviewing this material and helping develop the triage tool.
View post:
Think you might have Covid-19? Try this self-triage tool first - STAT
- Coronavirus Scam Alert: Watch Out For These Risky COVID-19 Websites And Emails - Forbes [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- COVID19: Broome County Executive expected to sign executive orders on virus - WBNG-TV [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Houston-based company ready to test COVID-19 'vaccine candidate,' but doesn't have the funds - KHOU.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- COVID19 Mesa County Public Health [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | SCDHEC [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Coronavirus disease 2019 - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Hackers are jumping on the COVID-19 pandemic to spread malware - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- COVID-19 can last a few days on surfaces, according to new experiment findings - ABC News [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- The Guardian view on the UKs Covid-19 response: confused and hesitant - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- The COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Highlights The Importance Of Scientific Expertise - Forbes [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- WHO Expert: Aggressive Action Against Coronavirus Cuts Down On Spread : Goats and Soda - NPR [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- 2 new cases of COVID-19 at Chicago schools - WGN TV Chicago [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Will Gargling with Salt Water or Vinegar 'Eliminate' the COVID-19 Coronavirus? - Snopes.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Worried about dying from COVID-19? You might be a millennial | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Startups developing tech to combat COVID-19 urged to apply for fast-track EU funding - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Why do dozens of diseases wax and wane with the seasonsand will COVID-19? - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- WHO, UN Foundation and partners launch first-of-its-kind COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund - World Health Organization [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Covid-19: PM to address nation tonight - New Straits Times [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- COVID-19: Where every sport lies after mass disruption - RTE.ie [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- COVID-19: Facts, myths and hypotheses | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Hong Kong Has Largely Survived COVID-19. Can New York and The US Do It Too? - BuzzFeed News [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- UPDATE: Case of COVID-19 confirmed in Wilson County - WITN [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Is This Train Car Carrying 'COVID-19'? - Snopes.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Coronavirus pandemic: facts, updates and what to do about COVID-19 - The Verge [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- DHS: 34 people test positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin - WBAY [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- COVID-19 by the numbers; plus key resources to help you stay informed - Berkeleyside [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- The Covid-19 puzzles that scientists are still trying to answer - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- What's the COVID-19 end game? - The San Diego Union-Tribune [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- The Covid-19 coronavirus is not the flu. Its worse. - Vox.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Phones Could Track the Spread of Covid-19. Is It a Good Idea? - WIRED [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- NIH Reports First Known Employee with COVID-19 Infection - National Institutes of Health [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Newborn tests positive for COVID-19 in London - Livescience.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Covid-19: Malaysia's pandemic action plan activated for the coronavirus - The Star Online [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- How Bad Will The COVID-19 Coronavirus Epidemic Get In The U.S.? Health Experts Weigh In - Forbes [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- Can People Who Recover from COVID-19 Become Reinfected? - Snopes.com [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2020]
- THE LATEST: 41 test positive for COVID-19 in the state - WFSB [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Twelve new cases of COVID-19 announced in Illinois; bringing total to 105 - KWQC-TV6 [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Eagle County outlines shift for COVID-19 testing, Vail Health shifts operations - Vail Daily News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- 7th positive COVID-19 case announced in Hawaii, all cases related to travel - KHON2 [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Canada tightens borders over coronavirus will it curb COVID-19s spread? - Global News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- As health care workers prepare for COVID-19, medical students pitch in on the homefront - Minnesota Public Radio News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Coronavirus First positive case of COVID-19 confirmed in Geauga County Kaylyn Hlavaty 7:58 AM - News 5 Cleveland [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- 2nd presumptive case of COVID 19 reported in Bell County - KWTX [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- New confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin - WKOW [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Hawaii National Guard ready to step in against spread of COVID-19 - KHON2 [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Alberta orders all classes cancelled, daycares closed as COVID-19 cases rise to 56 in the province - Global News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Has Italy Stopped Treating the Elderly in the COVID-19 Pandemic? - Snopes.com [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Coronavirus testing: Information on COVID-19 tests according to state health departments - NBCNews.com [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Working from home because of COVID-19? Here are 10 ways to spend your time - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Two positive COVID-19 cases announced in Fairbanks, bringing Alaska's confirmed total to 3 - Anchorage Daily News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- 8 more positive cases of COVID-19 brings Michigan total to 33 - FOX 2 Detroit [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- COVID-19: Who Is Infectious? - Forbes [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- The Guardian view on the latest Covid-19 steps: a recipe for isolation - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Government publishes updated COVID-19 industry guidance - GOV.UK [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- NIH clinical trial of investigational vaccine for COVID-19 begins - National Institutes of Health [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Expanding Colorado's COVID-19 Testing Capacity Proves Frustrating to Polis, Doctors And The Public - Colorado Public Radio [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Microsoft Bing launches interactive COVID-19 map to provide pandemic news - The Verge [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Coronavirus tips: How to slow the spread of COVID-19 with hand-washing, social distance - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- See Which Countries are Flattening their COVID-19 Curve - Visual Capitalist [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- With launch of COVID-19 data hub, the White House issues a call to action for AI researchers - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- COVID-19 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | AustinTexas.gov [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- First COVID-19 case in Waterbury is confirmed - Waterbury Republican American [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Covid-19 reveals the alarming truth that many children cant wash their hands at school - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Statement on COVID-19 Panel Discussion Notes That Were Attributed to UCSF - UCSF News Services [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Covid-19 coronavirus testing in the US has been absurdly sluggish. That puts us at risk. - Vox.com [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Regal is closing all theaters until further notice over COVID-19 fears - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Amazon limiting shipments to certain types of products due to COVID-19 pandemic - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Coralville company to produce millions of kits to test for COVID-19 - KCRG [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Number of COVID-19 cases in Erie County rises to 11, new case confirmed in Wyoming County - WIVB.com - News 4 [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Coronavirus tips and symptoms: What everyone should know about getting the new coronavirus - Vox.com [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Tech giants are getting creative to manage the COVID-19 crisis - The Verge [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- COVID-19: Mental health in the age of coronavirus - UN News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- White House provides an update on COVID-19 testing in the U.S., says theres been a dramatic ramp - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Covid-19: How long does the coronavirus last on surfaces? - BBC News [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2020]
- Hospital in Boston will be converted into Covid-19 treatment center - STAT [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2020]
- 78 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Tennessee - NewsChannel5.com [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2020]
- COVID 19: Tennessee confirmed cases reaches 52, Dept of Health releases age ranges of those infected - Clarksville Now [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2020]
- Housing associations under pressure to offer Covid-19 rent holidays - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2020]
- Sacramento woman dead from COVID-19 attended church with others who have virus - KCRA Sacramento [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2020]