Here’s What To Do If You’ve Been Around Somebody Who Has Tested Positive For COVID-19

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Great. You went to get coffee with your friend last week. Y’all sat outside on the patio, and you MIGHT have been 6-feet apart, but neither of you wore masks, AND your friend just found out she is positive for COVID-19.

As more and more people are being diagnosed with the coronavirus, it is inevitable that you will find yourself having been in contact with someone who is sick, and my not yet know it.

So, what do you do now? There is no going back and fixing it, so you can only go forward from here.

1. Quarantine Yourself For 14 Days

Sorry. You get a proverbial time out. Time to hole yourself up in your house for a full two weeks.

If you have had close contact, less than six feet away for 15 minutes, with someone who was potentially contagious with COVID-19 and has since tested positive, you should quarantine for 14 days.

Dr. David Cutler to PopSugar

That means you are sequestered in your room, away from people and animals for a full 2 weeks. If it is possible for you to have a bathroom that you solely use, even better.

Try to stay away from family members, or other household members. You want to keep them as safe as possible.

Talk with your primary care doctor, but anyone who doesn’t live in the household should not be allowed to come over, and you should not be able to go out, until the risk of contagion is over.

2. Get Yourself Tested

I know, having a nasal swab tickling your brain isn’t your idea of a funday Sunday activity, but it’s going to have to be done.

If testing is available, get tested, and by ‘tested,’ I am referring to a diagnostic test (often performed as a nasal swab), and not an antibody test.

Dr. Kesh

Research is showing that the best time to get your coronavirus test is 5 to 7 days after initial exposure. Waiting doesn’t do anybody any good.

Talk to your doctor, because sometimes it is hard to get ahold of tests. It also can take awhile for you to get your results. Keep in mind, you need to stay quarantined until you get said results.

3. Pay Attention To Your Symptoms

According to the CDC, your symptoms may be mild to severe. You want to look for anything out of the ordinary.

Honestly, the CDC states that symptoms of the coronavirus can include just about anything.

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you develop anything that isn’t normal for you, or that you think is out of the ordinary, contact your primary care doctor.

4. Let Others Know You Have Been Exposed

This is going to be the fun part, AMIRITE? NOT!

You need to contact ANYONE you have had contact with, and let them know that you have been exposed to the virus.

Even if you don’t yet have symptoms, it is good to go ahead and give people a heads up, just so they can be prepared to go through the steps of quarantining themselves.

They may also want to go ahead and plan for testing, should you test positive.

Be thinking about EVERYONE you have been in contact with. Did you go to the doctor? Did you go grocery shopping? Did you have your kids’ friends come over to play? Did you stop and talk to your neighbor on the sidewalk?

Make sure you are letting everyone know about their possible risk of exposure.

Every case is unique. Make sure you are talking to your doctor to make sure you are taking all the needed steps to protect yourself, your family, and your friends.

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