Care Advice
COVID-19 Exposure, but NO Symptoms
- Exposure and No Symptoms
- Although you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not currently have any symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms start, on the average, 3 to 4 days after the last exposure. The onset can range from 2 to 10 days.
- Since it's been less than 10 days, you are still at risk for coming down with COVID-19.
- You need to watch for symptoms until 10 days have passed.
- Follow this medical advice.
- You Do Not Need to See Your Doctor
- Your child does not have any symptoms. Exposed people don’t need to see a doctor.
- You may need to get a COVID-19 test. See Testing section below.
- If your child becomes sick and develops more than mild symptoms, you may need to see your doctor.
- You can find the answers to most of your questions here or online.
- Self-Monitor for COVID-19 Symptoms
- The most common symptoms are sore throat, cough, headache and fever. Some patients progress to shortness of breath (trouble breathing).
- Other common symptoms are chills, shivering (shaking), runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue (tiredness) and loss of smell or taste.
- Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- If any of these symptoms occur, get a COVID-19 test.
- Early detection of symptoms is the best way to reduce spread of the disease.
- Home Quarantine: Not Required for Those 2 and Older:
- Quarantine means restricting people who were exposed to a contagious disease from contact with others who are well. They are monitored closely to see if they stay well or become sick (CDC).
- Children under 2 years: Stay at home for a full 10 days. Reason: they don’t wear masks.
- If you have questions about this advice, call your doctor during office hours.
- Home quarantine means:
- Do Not allow any visitors (such as friends).
- Do Not go to stores, restaurants, places of worship or other public places.
- Avoid public transportation or ride sharing.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Fever occurs
- Cough or trouble breathing occurs
Testing for COVID-19
- COVID-19 Testing: Who Needs It
- Testing is the only way to know for sure who has COVID-19. You can’t tell by symptoms. Reason: most respiratory viruses cause similar symptoms.
- Testing is offered at many sites without a doctor's order. Many doctor’s offices, retail clinics, and urgent care centers offer testing. Community drive-through sites or pharmacies may also be testing site options. At home self-tests can also be bought in most drugstores and grocery stores.
- Your doctor is the best resource for up-to-date information on testing. If you have questions about testing, call them during office hours.
- Here are some facts that may answer some of your questions:
- Diagnostic tests: these are performed on nasal or mouth secretions. The tests can tell us if you have a COVID-19 infection now. Timing is important on when to do this test:
- With Symptoms. Get a test within 3 days of onset of symptoms.
- Without Symptoms and a COVID-19 close contact. Get a test on day 3 to 5 after exposure.
- Repeat diagnostic tests: after a positive test, repeat tests are not recommended. Positive tests are reliable. Even after it is safe to stop isolation (usually 5 days), tests may stay positive. A positive test does not mean the patient can spread the infection once the required isolation period is completed. After a negative home test, if you have symptoms, re-test at home in 2 days.
- Antibody Tests: these are performed on blood. They are rarely needed and currently not very helpful. They can sometimes tell us if you have antibodies from a previous infection. They are not done until at least 2 to 3 weeks have passed from the start of the infection. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this test.
COVID-19 Prevention
- COVID-19 Vaccine - Get Your COVID-19 Shot and a Booster Shot:
- Vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health action. They are the most powerful weapon we have against deadly infectious diseases. Follow the science.
- Safe and effective vaccines are now available for people age 6 months and older.
- If you have the chance to get a COVID-19 vaccine, get one. It could save your life and protect your family.
- COVID-19 - How to Protect Yourself and Family from Catching It - The Basics:
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster when recommended. It is your best protection against serious infection.
- Avoid close contact with people outside your family unit. Avoid closed spaces (indoors) when possible and all crowds (even outdoors).
- Wear a face mask when in public indoor settings. Also, observe social (safe) distancing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water (very important). Always do this before you eat.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not available. Remember: soap and water work better.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean. Germs on the hands can get into your body this way.
- Don't share glasses, plates or eating utensils.
- If you need to be seen for an urgent medical problem, do not hesitate to go in. ERs and urgent care sites are safe places. They are well-equipped to protect you against the virus. For non-urgent symptoms, talk to your doctor's office first. Medical offices are also safe places.
- Social (Safe) Distancing and COVID-19 Prevention:
- Avoid any contact with people known to have COVID-19 infection. Avoid talking to or sitting close to them.
- Social Distancing: try to stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from anyone who is known to be sick, especially if they are coughing. Avoid crowds, because you can’t tell who might be sick.
- If COVID-19 becomes widespread in your community, try to stay 6 feet (2 meters) away from everyone outside your family unit.
- Wear a mask when entering any public building or crowded outdoor area.
- Face Masks and COVID-19 Prevention:
- Mask requirements have been reduced in most parts of our country. The CDC website can tell you the COVID-19 community level in any county in the US. Your county will be listed as Low, Medium or High. High means everyone should wear a mask indoors in public. Medium means people at high risk for serious illness should wear a mask. Low means masks are not needed. Go to the CDC website and click on COVID-19 County Check.
- Overview: face masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Reason: people with COVID-19 can have no symptoms, but still spread the virus. Masks also will reduce the spread of flu.
- Mask wearing is even more important if you are in an area of high COVID-19 spread or have health problems.
- Sick patients: must always wear a face mask, if you are around other people or need to leave the home. Example: for medical visits. Exception: patients with trouble breathing in a mask (CDC). Consider a loose face covering, such as a bandana.
- Also, wear a mask if you have to be around someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has tested positive for it.
- Well people: although mask mandates have been lifted, you should still consider wearing a mask if:
- You are in indoor public spaces (such as a church or a grocery store).
- You are in a crowded outdoor setting (e.g., concert, music festival, rally).
- You are traveling on a plane, bus, train, or other form of public transit.
- You are in a transportation hub such as an airport or train station.
- Well People Exceptions: face mask or covering is optional if outdoors.
- Age Limits: face coverings are not recommended for children less than 2 years (CDC).
- Keep Your Mind and Body Strong:
- Get your body ready to fight the COVID-19 virus.
- Get enough sleep (very important).
- Keep your heart strong. Walk or exercise every day. Take the stairs. Go outdoors if you can. Caution: avoid physical exhaustion.
- Think positive thoughts.
- Stay well-hydrated.
- Eat healthy meals.
- Avoid the over-use of anti-fever medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Fever fights infections and ramps up your immune system.
- How to Protect Others - When Your Child Is Sick:
- Stay home for at least 5 full days. Do not allow visitors.
- You are most contagious (able to spread the virus to others) during those first 5 days.
- Wear a mask for 10 days. Wear a face mask when around others or if you have to go to a medical facility.
- Children under 2 years: home isolation will be needed for a full 10 days. Reason: they don’t wear masks.
- Do Not go to school.
- Cough and sneeze into your shirt sleeve or inner elbow. Don't cough into your hand or the air.
- If available, sneeze into a tissue and throw it into a trash can.
- Wash hands often with soap and water. After coughing or sneezing are important times.
- Don't share glasses, plates or eating utensils.
- Carefully avoid any contact with the elderly and people with weak immune systems or other chronic health problems.
- Call Your Doctor If:
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.