You Got COVID – Now What?
As the years have passed, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that “no one is safe” from catching the continuously mutating virus.
While the “common” symptoms continue to change, and the severity has lessened, COVID-19 is still here and prevalent. We want to ensure you have information you need for if/when you see a positive COVID-19 test result.
So, you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, what do you do now? We have created an easy to follow 4-step guide on the best route to take once you see a COVID positive result.
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1. Receive Medical Advice
Depending on your symptoms, whether mild, moderate or severe, there are many options once you see a positive COVID-19 test result:
- Contact your General Practitioner / Family Doctor
- Many doctors are able to send in a prescription direct to your pharmacy when you call the office, this avoids having to go into their office – while still providing you with care
- Use a Telehealth Provider
- If your insurance has the option of telehealth – it is extremely easy to have a quick virtual visit and then be prescribed what they feel is necessary
- If you do not have insurance, there are many options available to you with a flat rate fee of around $25-35.
- You can find available options here.
- Utilize a federally supported Test to Treat site with the location map provided by ASPR
- You can find your local Test to Treat facilities here.
- Visit an Urgent Care
- While visiting an urgent care may be a last resort – they will be able to test you again at their facility to ensure your COVID-19 status and then prescribe you medication
You must take oral COVID-19 medication within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms.
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2. Utilize Treatment for COVID-19
Depending on your discussion with your doctor, treatments will vary. Your doctor will give you the best medicine for your symptoms, needs and safety.
Be sure when you are talking with a doctor regarding your COVID-19 treatment to let them know of any other medications you are taking along with any health history and ongoing conditions that may be relevant.
Treatments for the virus continue to enter the market. Antiviral treatments, like Paxlovid and Lagevrio, are proven to shorten the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and duration of test positivity, although they must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms, making it critical to test as soon as possible.
3. Isolate Yourself from Others
While the isolation guides have changed, it is recommended by the CDC to isolate yourself for 5 days as soon you see a positive test result.
Isolation is the most effective way to ensure you do not spread COVID-19 to others. If you live with other people, you can keep them safe and healthy by staying in a separate room, and masking if/when you are in the same room while avoiding close contact.
After your 5 days of isolation, it is recommended to continue wearing a mask for an additional 5 days even once you’ve tested negative.
4. Test Again
After your initial 5 days of isolation, it is important to test again to ensure you are COVID-19 negative. While your first test after 5 days may still show a positive result, continue isolation until you see a negative result.
While you may no longer be experiencing symptoms, you can still be testing positive. Therefore, it is important to ensure your status before heading back to work, school or other public places and day-to-day activities.
Once you have a negative result, there is still a chance you will have a rebound case. Serial testing should be performed in individuals with negative results at least twice over three days (with 48 hours between tests) for symptomatic individuals and three times over five days (with at least 48 hours between tests) for asymptomatic individuals. You may need to purchase additional tests to perform this serial (repeat) testing.
If you continue to experience symptoms after testing negative, talk with your doctor. You could have one of the two following illnesses related to COVID-19:
- Ongoing symptomatic COVID: When COVID symptoms carry on for 4 to 12 weeks
- Post-COVID Syndrome: When COVID symptoms carry on for over 12 weeks (also known as Long COVID-19)
If you or someone you know may be experiencing Long COVID symptoms, be sure to reach out to your doctor to get the treatment best for you.
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