01/10/2022
What to do when you test positive for COVID-19
If your test results for COVID-19 are positive, this means that COVID-19 (coronavirus) was found in your test and you have been diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection. An important thing to know is, do not panic. For most people who test positive, COVID-19 produces mild symptoms such as sore throat, fever and runny nose. Only a small number of patients get a severe illness.
Home isolation
If you have not already done so, please isolate yourself at home right away. You must stay in isolation even if you do not have any symptoms.
You can stop home isolation when all three of the following conditions are met:
1. It’s been at least 24 hours since you had a fever without taking a fever-reducing medication (such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen), and
2. It’s been at least 24 hours since you experienced any symptoms (such as a cough, shortness of breath), and
3. At least five days have passed since your symptoms first started, or since you tested positive, if you are asymptomatic and never develop symptoms.
If you meet the above conditions and end your home isolation, you must continue to wear a mask outside of your home for an additional five days.
Contact your medical provider
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not in communication with your healthcare provider, contact them right away. This will help ensure you get the best possible care and protect others. You may be able to set up a video visit, where you can discuss your symptoms and determine the best plan of care.
If your symptoms worsen
If your symptoms worsen (see below for what to watch for), contact your physician or primary medical provider right away if you begin to experience:
• difficulty breathing
• persistent chest pain
• new onset of confusion
• inability to stay awake
• bluish lips or skin
If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and tell them you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
What should I do if I’ve been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, but I test negative?
If your test results for COVID-19 are negative, this means that COVID-19 (coronavirus) was not detected in your test specimen. If your sample was collected while you had symptoms, a negative result likely means the COVID-19 virus is not causing your current illness. However, while in the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected.
If you have been in close contact with someone who has either tested positive for COVID-19 or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and your original COVID-19 test was negative, please do the following:
1. If you are fully vaccinated, have received your booster and are not experiencing symptoms, you do not have to quarantine. However, you still need to monitor for symptoms for 10 days after your last contact with the infected person. You also should wear a mask around others for at least 10 days, and test again five days after your exposure. If that test is positive or you develop symptoms, you need to isolate at home and follow the guidance above.
2. If you are not fully vaccinated or you have not received the booster dose (and are eligible), you should quarantine at home for five days and continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days. If it is not possible to quarantine, you must wear a mask around others for 10 days. You should also test again five days after your exposure. If that test is positive or you develop symptoms, you need to isolate at home.
Who is at high risk for developing severe disease?
You would be considered at higher risk if you have one or more of the following:
• Cancer
• Transplant patient
• On active immunosuppression/ steroids
• Cerebrovascular disease (stroke, dementia)
• Advanced age (> 65 years old)
• Are unvaccinated or vaccinated without booster if eligible
• Morbidly Obese (BMI > 35)
• Chronic Liver Disease (cirrhosis, fatty liver)
• HIV
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Chronic kidney disease
• Cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, HTN, congestive heart failure)
• Chronic Lung Disease (asthma, COPD, etc.)
How we can help?
King’s Daughters has a COVID home monitoring system available through MyChart, our electronic medical record system. The system can help patients track their symptoms and allows patients to record them as well as their vital signs.
For patients without a MyChart account, here are a few other options.
• The Centers for Disease Control offers a symptom tracker on their website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/coronavirus-self-checker.html
• Kentucky also offers an easy-to-use chart for isolation and quarantine guidance:https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/covid19/HaveYouBeenExpostedorTestedPositiveforCv19.pdf
