What To Do If You Are Sick

Page Last Updated 12/12/23 at 1:10 pm

Spanish: Lo que debe hacer en caso de enfermarse

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

How is COVID-19 Spread?

What to Do If You Are Sick

COVID-19 Treatments and Medications

When to Isolate

What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home

Working Safely: COVID-19 and Your Job

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
- Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
  - Fever
  - Cough
  - Headache
  - Muscle Aches
  - Chills
  - Shortness of Breath
  - Sore Throat
  - Loss of Taste
  - Loss of Smell
  - Runny Nose
  - Diarrhea
  - Nausea
  - Vomiting
  - Abdominal Pain
  - Fatigue
- Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms.
- For many, symptoms are mild, with no fever.
- It is important to know that you can still spread (transmit) the virus to others even if you have mild or no symptoms.
Emergency Warning Signs of COVID-19*
- If you have any of these emergency warning signs, get medical attention immediately.
  - Trouble Breathing
  - Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  - New confusion
  - Inability to arouse (wake) a person or stay awake
  - Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.
- This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your doctor or medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
- Call 911 if you have a medical emergency and tell the operator you are having COVID-19 like symptoms.

How is COVID-19 Spread?

COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person through:
- Close contact, being within 6 feet of an infected person
- Respiratory droplets that are released when a person who is infected with the virus coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings, or talks.
People who are infected but do not have symptoms can spread the virus to others.
Respiratory droplets can remain in the air and on surfaces for an extended period of time. When people breathe in (inhale) the droplets, or touch surfaces that have been contaminated and then touch their mouth, face, or eyes, the virus can make them sick.
For more information from the CDC on how COVID-19 is spread, click here.

What to Do If You are Sick:

COVID-19 Treatments and Medications

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of hospitalization and death.

Don’t delay: Treatment must be started within days after you first develop symptoms to be effective. Other medications can help reduce symptoms and help you manage your illness.

Being vaccinated makes you much less likely to get very sick. Still, some vaccinated people, especially those ages 65 years or older or who have other risk factors for severe disease, may benefit from treatment if they get COVID-19. A healthcare provider will help decide which treatment, if any, is right for you.

Click here for more information about COVID-19 Treatments and Medications.

Tratamientos de COVID-19 y medicamentos

When to Isolate

If you have COVID-19, you should isolate. You should also isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 but haven't been tested yet or are waiting for your test results.

What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19

Cleaning and Disinfecting Tips for Your Home

Cleaning is the removal or germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading them.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, such as EPA-registered household disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, faucets, etc.)
Click here for information from WI Department of Health Services on Cleaning and Disinfecting after a confirmed COVID-19 case
Click here for information from the CDC on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home

Working Safely: COVID-19 and Your Job

Working Safely: COVID-19 and Your Job is a short handout (one page, front and back) from WI Department of Health Services that provides information for workers who: