With the rise of the highly contagious Omicron variant, more and more people are testing positive for COVID-19, even those who have diligently taken all precautions throughout the pandemic.
There’s not necessarily cause for alarm. The Omicron variant, though far more contagious than earlier strains, appears to produce less serious symptoms, especially if you have been vaccinated and received a booster.
If you have just tested positive and are wondering about next steps, here are answers to some of the questions that Mount Sinai experts are fielding right now.
How should I care for myself?
You should rest, stay hydrated, and treat your symptoms with medications for fevers, cough, and other cold symptoms. For more information about how you can take care of yourself at home, read this article from Abigail R. Chen, MD, Senior Medical Director at Mount Sinai Doctors Downtown.
What does it mean to self-isolate?
- Self-isolating requires staying away from other people. Stay home unless you need medical care.
- Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Do not use public transportation, ride sharing, or taxis.
- If possible, stay in one room, away from others in your home, and use a separate bathroom.
- Practice basic hand hygiene.
- Avoid sharing personal household items, such as dishes, towels, and bedding. Wash these items after using them.
- Clean “high touch” surfaces daily. These may include counters, doorknobs, bathroom items, and phones. Clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or other bodily fluids on them.
Be especially careful if there are older adults in your home, or anyone with serious medical issues. These people may become more seriously ill from this infection. Do not handle pets or other animals while sick.
What should I tell my close contacts?
Anyone who has had close contact with you should call their doctor if they develop symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19. Symptoms may include sort throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
When can I stop self-isolating?
You can stop self-isolating after these three things have happened:
- You have not had a fever (your temperature has been less than 100.0° Fahrenheit or 38.0° Celsius) consistently for at least three days (72 hours) without taking fever reducing medications, such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Your breathing is improving.
- The recommended duration for isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 is constantly evolving. Staying at home for at least 10 days is the safest option for everyone. If you cannot stay home for 10 days, you may start going out on day 6 if you are fever-free for 24 hours, but you must wear a mask constantly when around other people until the 10 days are up. You should avoid travel and going to public places where you or others have to take off their masks, like restaurants, until the 10 days are up. If you are an essential worker, there are recommendations from the New York State Department of Health that will guide you on how to return to work safely in 5 days.
When should I call my doctor?
Call your doctor if you start to feel worse, such as experiencing increased congestion, coughing, chest pain, or fever. For Mount Sinai doctors, most follow-up visits can be scheduled as a video visit or over the phone. For a video visit, you must have a MyChart account.
Seek emergency medical treatment if you have difficulty breathing; if possible, call ahead to let them know you may have COVID-19. If you call for emergency assistance to get you, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.
