Treating and Managing COVID-19

Simply put, isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. People who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for a minimum of 5 days, and often longer. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. Quarantine should last for a minimum of five days and can increase in time if COVID-19 moves to other members of a household. Basically, isolation is very strict and is used when COVID-19 is confirmed. Quarantine is less strict but helps limit the spread of the disease when COVID-19 is not confirmed. Keep reading for more exact guidance.

This depends on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated but are asymptomatic, you should get tested but may not need to quarantine. However, if you begin to experience symptoms, get tested and quarantine until you receive your results. Should your test come back positive, you will need to isolate appropriately and notify your contacts. If you are not vaccinated, you should quarantine for 14 days.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you should follow the CDC’s isolation requirements (isolation refers to the behavior following testing positive for COVID-19). The CDC recently changed isolation time for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic (i.e. do not experience symptoms). If a person is asymptomatic after 5 days (i.e. on day 6 of isolation), they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask (ideally with a surgical or N95 mask) for the next 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others. All of this must happen for anyone, regardless of vaccination status.

For individuals who test positive and have symptoms, you can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days. If you continue to have a fever or your symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of medication) and your other symptoms have improved.

NOTE: your day count starts on the day that you test positive (if you’re asymptomatic) OR on the day your symptoms start – whichever comes first.

Although it has not been long enough to be sure of COVID-19’s long-term effects, the CDC has learned that it can effect many organs in the body besides the lungs. In particular, they are researching the link between COVID-19 and heart conditions:

“Heart conditions associated with COVID-19 include inflammation and damage to the heart muscle itself, known as myocarditis, or inflammation of the covering of the heart, known as pericarditis. These conditions can occur by themselves or in combination. Heart damage may be an important part of severe disease and death from COVID-19, especially in older people with underlying illness.”

See the CDC website for more details.

Do your best! Any precautions you take will reduce risk for the people you live with, even if the risk can’t be eliminated completely.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you should try to stay in a specific “sick room” away from others. If others have to have contact with you, you should make sure your nose and mouth are covered, preferably with a surgical mask. You should not share any items with anyone – including bedding, dishes, cups, toothbrushes, etc. If not sharing a room or space is not an option, keep as much space between yourself and others as possible. Talk to your doctor about your specific situation and make sure your household is on board with your plan.

A: The CDC recently cut isolation time for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic (i.e. do not experience symptoms). If a person is asymptomatic after 5 days (i.e. on day 6 of isolation), they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask (ideally with a surgical or N95 mask) for the next 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.

For individuals who test positive and have symptoms, you can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days. If you continue to have a fever or your symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of medication) and your other symptoms have improved.

It is illegal to dismiss an employee for having COVID-19 or needing to quarantine. In addition, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires many employers to provide two weeks of paid sick time to employees who need to miss work due to COVID-19.

See this document for more information about worker protections.

Forward Together has created an excellent guide to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes a section on self-advocacy. Visit this website and see the section titled “what can we do” for tips on communicating with your healthcare provider to help you get the best care possible.