Dear Kim,
I think I may have COVID-19. What do I do?
Thanks,
COVID in Connecticut
Dear COVID,
First, let’s go over the symptoms of COVID-19. The primary symptoms are a fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Whew! What a list. And this list isn’t comprehensive, either. The CDC has lots of information on this at cdc.gov/coronavirus. They even have a self-checker tool.
If you do think you could have coronavirus, you should give your doctor a call to ask what they think you should do. You should also self-isolate for 14 days to keep others safe. There are many places that you can get a COVID-19 test, including at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.
To get better, you should rest, stay hydrated, if needed, take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen. Your doctor can give you advice. If you find yourself having a lot of trouble breathing or pain or pressure in the chest; confusion; inability to stay awake; or bluish lips or face, you should seek emergency attention immediately.
If you have questions, you can call us at 860-278-4163, or you can call the Hartford Healthcare COVID-19 hotline at 860-972-8100.
Feel better,
Kim