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Took a home test and found out I have Covid... what now?
It all started very suddenly night before last with a runny nose (like drippy). Then came the scratchy throat. Then came the congestion. So I went to bed early, and when I woke, I had severe whole body aches. This prompted me to break out one of the home test kits I had. Lo and behold: positive for Covid. What now? Do I need to go to the Dr? What can I do to the benefit of myself and others? Any and all help appreciated
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Welcome @greendaygirl, Sorry to hear you have tested positive for COVID. It sounds like this might be your first time with COVID. We are not doctors or medical professionals but can share our experience. I've had COVID twice and both times I called my local clinic and started a treatment. Here are a couple of articles from Mayo Clinic that may help you decide a course of action.
-- Helpful guidelines if you test positive or negative for COVID-19
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/helpful-guidelines-if-you-test-positive-or-negative-for-covid-19/
-- Treating COVID-19 at home: Care tips for you and others
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/treating-covid-19-at-home/art-20483273
Do you have a local clinic or doctor that you can call for treatment?
Let your primary care physician know and see what they want to do. Hugs
Contact your doctor. Within the first few days of covid one can get Paxlovid or other antiviral meds. They act by suppressing replication of the virus, helping your immune system to catch up. Once off the pills, the virus ramps up again. The neds can help decrease the severity of covid. Isolate from others, lots of fluid and rest are important. Covid is a waiting game; if your symptoms are severe then contact and ER or Urgent Care. I had covid a year ago March and ended up in ER and Urgent Care 3x because of O2 levels (pulse oximeters are handy ) and elevated BP. I'm fine now, but my long covid took some months to go away (I'm 70).