COVID-19 When COVID goes undercover Even if you feel perfectly healthy, you may be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. Some people who are infected don’t experience symptoms for up to two weeks after they become infected, while others never develop symptoms at all. Two good reasons to continue “social distancing” and wearing masks when you can’t stay away from other people. I’m sick! But do I have COVID-19? While the only way to be sure of a COVID19 diagnosis is to get tested, you should still stay alert for symptoms that could be signs of an infection. Some of the frequently reported symptoms of COVID-19 include: • New or worsening cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Temperature equal to or higher than 38oC or feeling feverish • Chills • Fatigue or weakness • Muscle or body aches • New loss of smell or taste • Headache • Gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting) • Feeling very unwell. If you do develop one or more of these symptoms, stay home and call your health-care provider or local public health unit to discuss your situation. Don’t go straight to a clinic or health-care facility. Call ahead instead, so that the facility can prevent other people from getting exposed. Should you get tested? The only way to confirm that you have COVID-19 is a laboratory test (usually a PCR test). Not everyone gets tested, however. If you’re wondering whether you should be tested, Health Canada has a quiz to help you decide. The COVID19 Self-Assessment Tool asks about your symptoms, whether you’ve had close contact with someone known or suspected to have COVID-19, whether you’ve travelled outside of Canada, and if difficulty with breathing is making it harder for you to manage a chronic health condition. If you know you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, your best move may be to call your doctor, who can provide guidance as to whether you need a test and where to get tested. If you test positive or have symptoms There’s good news and bad news. First, the good news: most people with COVID-19 develop only mild symptoms and can recover in the comfort of their own home. You may start to feel better in about a week. The bad news is that someone infected with COVID-19 will be stuck at home for a couple of weeks. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19, or has tested positive, needs to stay in isolation for at least 10 days. People who have symptoms and a positive PCR test need to wait for 10 days, then (if necessary) wait until their symptoms have cleared up, then isolate for an additional three days. People who are infected but don’t have symptoms should remain in isolation for 10 days. Self-care for COVID-19 is as you would expect if you had a case of the flu: bed rest, plenty of fluids and pain relievers as needed. CSANews | SPRING 2021 | 37
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