DO YOU HAVE COVID-19?
A.J. Brickler - Testing
You wake up in the morning and you’re not feeling right. You have a fever, or a persistent dry cough, or your stomach might be upset. Should you be tested for COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a Coronavirus Self-Checker to help you decide if you need to get a test for COVID-19.
Leon County also offers a list of COVID-19 symptoms.
If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should be tested.
In Florida, you can find out where to get tested here: Testing Sites. Leon County government also offers a map of testing sites and a list of sites.
Capital Health Plan suggests that its members contact their primary care provider to get a test. An at-home COVID-19 swab test kit also is now available.
Two types of tests are available:
- Viral testing, which can tell you if you currently have the disease.
- Antibody testing, which can tell you if you had the disease in the past.
What should I do if I am told I have tested positive, or someone I’m caring for has tested positive?
- According to the Florida Department of Health, self-isolate at home. Don’t go outside unless for medical visits. Don’t go to school, work, or social gatherings. Don’t use public transportation or ride-sharing services.
- Stay away from others. As much as possible, stay in one room away from others in your home. Use a separate bathroom if possible. Avoid contact with pets or other animals.
- Wear a facemask. You should wear a face covering whenever you go out, but you should especially do so if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been caring for someone who has tested positive.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or by coughing into your elbow.
- If you touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth, or mask, you should wash your hands again for at least 20 seconds.
FAQ
Use the Centers for Disease Control Self-Checker online test. If you have a persistent cough or difficulty breathing, are running a fever, are experiencing fatigue, or are suffering from nausea or diarrhea, you should get tested.
If you have tested positive for coronavirus or you believe you have been infected, you should stay home. Don’t leave your home except to get medical care. Stay away from other people. To the degree possible, stay away from other people with whom you live. If possible, use a separate bathroom.
Tell your close contacts if you have tested positive. A close contact is someone who has been within six feet of you for 15 minutes or more.
Stay in touch with your doctor. Seek emergency care if you are having trouble breathing, if your lips or face are bluish, if you have persistent pain or pressure in your chest, or if you experience new confusion.
Most people who get COVID-19 get better without seeking medical care. Make sure the person you are caring for gets rest and drinks plenty of fluids. You can use over-the-counter remedies to reduce fever. Help them with grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and caring for pets.
Have their doctor’s contact information on hand. Monitor their condition and call their doctor if they are getting sicker.
If they begin to experience symptoms of a medical emergency, call 911 or contact your hospital or health care provider. Let them know that the person you are caring for has or may have COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you remain in isolation until at least 10 days after you tested positive and you have gone at least 24 hours without a fever without using fever-reducing medications and your other COVID-19 symptoms are improving.