Been Diagnosed With COVID-19? How To Keep Your Family Healthy

No one wants to hear the news that they have COVID-19, but it is important to understand how to proceed should you find out that you have tested positive. In particular, it is critical to know what steps to take to protect your family members and other individuals living in your house when you have COVID-19. The professional team of board-certified emergency room physicians and medical staff at iCare ER & Urgent Care are committed not only to offering rapid COVID-19 testing in Frisco and Fort Worth, TX but also to helping patients understand how to prevent spreading the virus to their loved ones. Learn more about what a positive COVID-19 test may mean for you, including how to safely isolate yourself and reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to others.

 

How do you know if you have COVID-19?

With flu season in full swing, it can be more difficult than ever to self-diagnose and differentiate between the often similar symptoms of cold, flu, and COVID-19. Further complicating matters is the fact that the nature and severity of COVID-19 symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person. In fact, some patients have virtually no symptoms with COVID-19, while others experience severe and even life-threatening complications as a result of COVID-19. When symptoms of COVID-19 are present, they commonly include:

 

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell

 

The only reliable way to determine whether you have COVID-19 or the flu is to be tested by a medical professional. iCare ER & Urgent Care offers rapid and accurate COVID-19 and flu testing, including COVID-19 antibody testing, at both of their convenient locations in Fort Worth and Frisco. If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it is important to obtain a test as soon as possible.

 

What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

Any person who has received a positive COVID-19 test, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, should follow the most current CDC guidelines regarding self-isolation, safety, and health protocols, including:

 

• Stay in a separate room from others
• Use a separate bathroom than others
• Do not share food, drinks, utensils, towels, or other household items
• Wear a mask if you must be around another person in the house
• Avoid contact with others in the house, including pets, as much as possible
• Monitor your symptoms and seek medical care when necessary
• Do not leave the house other than to seek medical care and in emergency situations

 

How do I avoid getting COVID-19?

While the flu vaccine is a highly effective tool for protecting people against influenza, there is currently no widely available COVID-19 vaccine, making health, safety, and hygiene practices vitally important. To protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19, it is important to first understand how coronavirus is spread. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets that are expelled from an infected person’s nose or mouth as they sneeze, laugh, cough, talk, or breathe. When these droplets land on or are transferred to another person’s mouth, nose, or eyes, he or she can also become infected. It is critical to remember that even asymptomatic patients who are infected with COVID-19 can spread the virus, meaning all individuals should take steps to prevent themselves and others from being exposed to COVID-19. Some of the most effective ways to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

 

• Practice social distancing
• Wear a mask
• Avoid gathering in groups, particularly indoors
• Avoid close personal contact with individuals outside your household
• Wash your hands frequently
• Use hand sanitizer when available
• Monitor yourself and others for symptoms of COVID-19

 

Keep your family safe and healthy this season by knowing what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 in North Texas

Quarantine, self-isolation, canceled plans, and time away from important work are not ideal circumstances, but they are critical measures for protecting your family and your entire community should you test positive for COVID-19. If you suspect that you may have COVID-19, visit your nearest iCare ER & Urgent Care in Frisco or Fort Worth, TX to receive prompt COVID-19 testing, rapid results, and personalized care for your symptoms.