What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• • Fever and Chills
• • Cough
• • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• • Fatigue
• • Muscle or body aches
• • Headache
• • New loss of taste or smell
• • Sore throat
• • Congestion or runny nose
• • Nausea or vomiting
• • Diarrhea

Where can I go get tested?

• • You can visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.

When should I get tested?

• • If you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• • If you have had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
• • If you have been asked or referred to get tested by your healthcare provider, local or state health department.
• • Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine / isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.

Where can I get tested for the antibodies?

• • If you are a patient of Diagnostic Group, you can get tested for antibodies at one of our locations.

If I tested positive should my family be tested even if they are not showing symptoms?

• • Anyone who lives with you who does not have symptoms should isolate for 14 days from the date your symptoms started.
• • If they develop symptoms within the 14 days, they need to stay at home for 10 days from the day their symptoms started.

How Long do I need to quarantine?

• • If you live alone you should stay home for 10 days from the day your symptoms started. This will reduce the risk of you infecting others.
• • If you live with others, the person who has symptoms should stay at home for 10 days from the day their symptoms started. Anyone else who lives with you who doesn’t have symptoms should isolate for 14 days from the date your symptoms started.
• • If others develop symptoms within the 14 days, they need to stay at home for 10 days from the day their symptoms started. They should do this even if it takes them over the 14-day isolation period.
• • You need approval from your local health department to end your isolation period.

Do my spouse and I have to quarantine separately if we both tested positive?

• • No, If you and your spouse both test positive you can quarantine in the same house.

How long before I can go back to work/school?

• • You cannot go back to work/school until your local health department gives you their approval. The time frame will depend on when your symptoms started and how many people live in your household.
• • The health department has a physician on staff that will review your symptoms and send you a work/school release that your employer / school will need for you to return.

How long do the symptoms of COVID-19 last once positive?

• • Those with a mild case of COVID-19 appear to recover within one to two weeks. For severe cases, recovery may take six weeks or more, and there may be lasting damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs, and brain.

Can I get COVID-19 again?

• • Research suggests COVID-19 reinfection is unlikely. However, additional research is ongoing.

Can I get the Flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

• • Yes. It is possible to have the flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

Do masks really help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

• • Yes, face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and social distancing, help to slow the spread of the virus.

What additional provisions should I take besides just wearing a mask?

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should:

• • Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• • Put distance between yourself and other people (at least 6 feet).
• • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
• • CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

I'm positive, does the health department contact me or do I contact The Health Department?

• • health department will contact you by phone or email. If you have not been contacted after a few days from your positive test result then you can contact them.

When I tested positive at the testing site, why was I not prescribed medication?

• • The testing site typically informs you before you are tested that they are only performing the test. If you test positive they refer you to contact your primary care physician for further directions. Your primary care physician knows your medical history and what medications you are currently taking. They have a better understanding of your overall health and can develop a plan of care that is specific to your needs and symptoms.

Do I need to be on Z Pak or Chloroquine?

• • The mild to severe infections your physician may consider prescribing Zithromax (Z-Pak).
• • Antibiotics will not kill the virus but it’s been shown to reduce inflammation.

Will I have lasting lung damage from COVID?

• • The can cause lung complications such as pneumonia and, in the most severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. Sepsis, another possible complication of COVID-19, can also cause lasting harm to the lungs and other organs.

How long will I be on oxygen if positive?

• • most people that test positive for COVID-19 can treat their symptoms from home and oxygen is not needed.
• • It is recommended to purchase a Pulse Ox to monitor your oxygen saturation level at least 3 times a day.
  - Normal range is between 97% and 99%
  - 93% or a decrease of 4%, call us immediately!
  - Below 90%, go to the Baptist Emergency Room

What can the provider prescribe for me?

• • Diagnostic Group developed a COVID-19 Treatment Recommendations flyer that we give to all patients that test positive for COVID-19.

Medications / Supplements
Dosing adjustments should be made based on patient's medical history. Not intended for pregnant patients.
• • Zithromax and/or Steroids (in mild to severe infections).
  - - For patients with Sinus related symptoms.
  - - Antibiotics will not kill the virus but has shown to reduvce inflammation.
• • Vitamin C 1000mg every AM and PM.
  - - Boosts immune system.
• • Vitamin D3 5000iu daily.
  - - Boosts immune system and decreases the occurrance of acute respiratory infections.
• • Zinc 60mg every AM and PM.
  - - Supports anti-viral immunity and reduces inflammation.
• • Melatonin 3mg - 10mg at night.
  - - Benefit?.

Trouble Breathing?


COVID takes away the capability to sense the lack of oxygen in the body. We encourage you to purchase a pulse ox to monitor your oxygen saturation level at least 3 times a day. (Average cost $25).
• • Normal range is between 97% and 99%.
• • 93% or a decreasew of 4%, call us immediately!
• • below 90%, go to the Baptist Emergency Room

Do I need to buy a pulse ox?


COVID takes away the capability to sense the lack of oxygen in the body. We encourage you to purchase a pulse ox to monitor your oxygen saturation level at least 3 times a day. (Average cost $25).
• • Normal range is between 97% and 99%.
• • 93% or a decreasew of 4%, call us immediately!
• • below 90%, go to the Baptist Emergency Room

Will I need repeated imaging to show my lungs are clear from COVID?

• • COVOID-19 can cause lung complications such as pneumonia and, in the most severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. Sepsis, another possible complication of COVID-19, can also cause lasting harm to the lungs and other organs.
• • Additional imaging may be necessary to monitor your recovery progress