What to do if you think you have Covid-19 (Corona)
I think I have COVID-19 (the Corona virus) – what now?
1. Don’t panic
The vast majority of cases are mild, and most people are going to recover just like they do from a cold or flu-like illness.
2. Stay home and call your doctor
Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: cough, high temperature/fever (>38°), lethargy, weakness and shortness of breath. Your doctor will assess your situation and might be able to give you advice on how to treat your symptoms at home without needing to see you in person, which would reduce the number of other people you expose.
Your doctor will also determine whether you will need to be tested (only high risk patients are currently being tested).
Questions your doctor might ask you to determine your risk of having Covid-19:
- In the last 28 days, have you traveled outside of South Africa?
- Have you traveled to China, Japan, South Korea, Italy or Iran, or a community where the coronavirus is spreading?
- Have you had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus? (Close contact means having been within 2 metres of that person for an extended time, or being exposed to their cough or sneeze.)
- Do you have a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing?
- Has a public health officer said you were potentially exposed to COVID-19?
3. Follow your doctor’s instructions
Continue to monitor your health and call back if your symptoms worsen.
4. Self-isolate
Isolate yourself until your cough, fever and other symptoms go away.
In your home:
- Try to separate yourself from others and your pets (until more information is known about whether the virus can spread to other animals), by staying in a separate room and using a separate bathroom if possible.
- Wear a face mask when around others and outside your home.
- Avoid sharing personal items like dishes, glasses, eating utensils, towels, bedding etc.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
- Make sure that shared spaces in the home have good air flow, such as by an air conditioner or an opened window, weather permitting.
5. Look after yourself
Get plenty of rest and keep yourself well hydrated.
Take fever reducers and pain medications, like paracetamol or ibuprofen, along with cough and cold medications to help alleviate symptoms.
Antibiotics will not help with this virus, unless you develop secondary infections from it.
6. Practice good hygiene
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, clean surfaces like doorknobs, tabletops, bathroom fittings, computer keyboards, tablets, phones etc.
7. If your symptoms worsen
Make an appointment with your doctor and let them know in advance that you suspect you are infected with COVID-19 and that you are not getting better. This way they can take steps to prevent others at the office from being infected.
8. If you had contact with someone infected
If you’ve had known exposure to someone who tested positive and are not displaying symptoms, go under precautionary quarantine for 14 days.
You do not have to stay at home but you should take your own temperature, keep track of symptoms, and have plans and supplies ready if you begin experiencing symptoms. If you do start experiencing any symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
9. Where to find more information on the Corona virus in South Africa
Toll free: 0800 029 999
Hotline: 082 883 9920
Website: nicd.ac.za
Phone: 012 351 1754
Email: ciccn@dirco.gov.za