You feel you have recovered, but when is it safe for you to stop isolating? Depending on your circumstances it can be anywhere from 3 days post-recovery to a whole week. Read below to see which situation pertains to you.

With symptoms, but self-cared at home

May discontinue isolation under the following conditions:
• At least 3 days have passed since you’ve had a fever without the aid of fever-reducing medications
• Improvement of respiratory symptoms
• At least 7 days since symptoms first appeared

With laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, but no symptoms

May discontinue isolation under the following conditions:
• At least 7 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnoses
• Remain asymptomatic
• For 3 days after discontinuing isolation, continue to limit contact by staying at 6 ft from others and wearing a mask

With access to testing

The CDC recommends you stay in isolation until you have had improvement of respiratory symptoms, no fever with medications, and two negative test results from consecutive naso-pharyngeal swabs taken at least 24 hours apart.

Without access to testing

CDC recommendations you stay in isolation until it has been 7 days since your symptoms first appeared, and 3 days since your fever has resolved without medication, as well as an improvement of respiratory symptoms.

You should be able to remove yourself from isolation with care and taking proper precautions as to not spread the coronavirus. New things are being learned about this virus every day, so do what you can to ensure the safety of those around you.

The post When to Stop Self-Isolating after COVID-19? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Right as you pass them they let out an enormous sneeze. You instinctively run for cover, trying to evade the spray of droplets, forgetting whatever it was you needed to get.

Turns out they only had allergies.

The fear of contracting coronavirus has changed our daily perceptions of others. There is some crossover of symptoms between something noncontagious, like allergies, and with COVID-19, as well as some misinformation. We’re here to help clear things up.

Symptoms of the Coronavius

There are telltale symptoms of COVID-19, but the most significant are fever, dry cough, and fatigue. A few other symptoms are telling as well, such as difficulty breathing and a sore throat.

Not everything is known about this virus, and we’re learning more every day, but these three main symptoms are what you need to be on the lookout for.

Allergies: Similar yet Different

Many with seasonal allergies are accustomed to their reaction to pollen. That said, there are a handful of similar symptoms shared between allergies and COVID-19, like coughing, headache, fatigue; however, there are symptoms that are unique to allergies, like watery and/or itchy eyes, congestion, and sneezing.

If you’re experiencing different symptoms from your seasonal allergies, be sure to call your doctor or schedule a telemedicine visit by clicking here. 

Everybody is different and reacts differently to allergens, and even the coronavirus. We’re finding out new things all the time about COVID-19, but nobody knows your body better than you do.

Be mindful of what your body is trying to tell you, including keeping tabs on where you go and where you’ve been. Remember, you can carry the virus asymptotically, or without showing symptoms, so it’s important to follow proper protocol to avoid spreading the virus to others.

The post Don’t Mistake Allergies for COVID-19 appeared first on Quick Med Care.

When you are feeling terrible, your first thought is usually “How do I get better?” Whether what you’re feeling is a common cold, or the flu, seems like a formality. However, it could be an important distinction, especially if you are one of the millions of Americans at risk for complications.

Both the common cold and the flu are viral infections that can spread quickly, especially through close contact. Because both are viral, antibiotics will not be effective and will not be prescribed. However, a Quick Care Med provider may be able to help you by treating the symptoms, and by ensuring there is nothing more serious going on.

Common Cold Symptoms

A cold can make you feel miserable. The good news is that should only last a few days to a week. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you probably have a cold:
• The initial symptom for most people is a sore throat. This usually only lasts for the first day or two
• A stuffy, runny nose usually follows, along with nasal congestion
• Mild body aches and/or fatigue are common
• Adults will rarely have a fever. A low-grade fever may be present in children
• A cough may develop 3 to 5 days into the cold

You do not need to see a medical professional for a cold unless it persists for more than a week. At that point, if symptoms are not improving, or are getting worse, you may have developed a bacterial infection, and you should seek medical attention.

Symptoms of the Flu

The flu is a more serious viral infection that can progress to other illnesses, like pneumonia, especially if you are in one of the at-risk categories – the very young, the very old, and anyone who has a weakened immune system. The flu should be closely monitored in at-risk patients, or anyone who is getting worse over time. Symptoms of the flu include:
• The illness comes on suddenly
• Moderate to severe body aches and fatigue
• Fever, especially above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Exhaustion, especially during the first few days
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Diarrhea and vomiting (mainly in children)

If you visit a Quick Care Med provider within the first two days of the beginning of flu symptoms, the provider may be able to prescribe antiviral medication, which has been shown to have an impact on the severity of symptoms, and can also shorten the number of days you are sick with the flu. Those most at risk for complications should begin the antivirals whether or not they are within the two-day symptom period.
If you start to experience shortness of breath, or if your fever returns after being gone for a few days, see a provider right away as this could point to pneumonia.

Home Care for Cold and Flu

The following home care might help to relieve symptoms during your recovery:
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, like Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen, for body aches and pains
• Gargle with warm salt water to relieve sore throat or earaches
• Drink lots of fluids, and REST
• Use a nasal rinse or saline drops
• Use a mentholated topical ointment to help with breathing
• Employ a vaporizer or humidifier
• Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are not recommended for young children, but can be used to manage the symptoms of adults

Your Quick Care Med providers can perform tests to determine which treatments need to be administered, and how to get you back on your feet in no time!

The post Congestion, Runny Nose, and a Cough? appeared first on Quick Med Care.