If you were just recently exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, there are some actions you ought to take to determine whether you’ve been infected. Here are a few things to consider doing:
What do I do first after my COVID-19 exposure?
Take note of the distance you maintained from other individuals you came in contact with who tested positive. SPC Med, through the guidance of the Department of Health (DOH), advises everyone that had close contact with COVID-19 positive patients to self-quarantine and remain at home for 14 days relative from the date of their last contact. Close contact can be determined through the following criteria:
- You were at least 6 feet of a COVID-positive patient for around 15 minutes or more.
- You cared for someone that’s sick with COVID-19.
- You had physical contact with the individual.
- You shared utensils.
- They coughed, sneezed, or maybe transferred some respiratory droplets on you.
Keep a safe distance from high-risk individuals as much as possible. These include older people and individuals with known medical conditions.
When do I get a COVID-19 test?
If your friend or family has gotten a positive result, it’s best to get yourself tested too, even if you do not exhibit any symptoms. Research has shown that asymptomatic individuals can still spread COVID-19.
Timing, however, is important. Do not get a test immediately after contact. Screening too quickly might give a false negative because symptoms usually appear five days after infection. Self-quarantine first and get yourself evaluated five days after you’ve last had contact with a COVID-19-positive individual.
What should I do while I wait for my COVID-19 result?
While waiting for your COVID-19 test result, it’s best to stay away from others. Stay home in order to contain the virus. Begin your self-quarantine day count from 2 days before any symptoms even became visible.
Remember everyone you’ve interacted with too. Inform them about your close encounter with a COVID-positive person and that you’re just waiting to hear from your healthcare provider to see if you’ve tested positive too. Remind them to monitor their health and to also stay home for the time being.
If I tested negative for COVID-19, can I do my regular activities again?
If you tested negative, then congratulations to you. But even if you’re feeling healthy and don’t show any signs of infection, you should still stay home and self-quarantine for a 2-week period after your last COVID-19 exposure. A negative result before the completion of your quarantine doesn’t eliminate the possibility of infection. A second test might be on the horizon should you begin to establish symptoms.
What symptoms are associated with COVID-19?
COVID-19 symptoms may vary from mild to serious and might appear any time from 2 days to 14 days after your initial exposure. The following symptoms are related to COVID-19:
* Cough
* Fever or chills
* Difficulty breathing
* Loss of taste or odor
* Diarrhea
* Fatigue
* Headache
* Muscle or body pains
* Sore Throat
* Runny nose
* Vomiting and Nausea
If you feel any of these, it’s important to first call your medical care provider or doctor for further instructions. SPC Medical Center also offers COVID-19 testing, consisting of Rapid Antibody testing , Rapid Antigen Test and RT-PCR Swab testing. You can also course your general concerns through our hotline at (049) 562-0726 to 8 and 0975 949 0236.