If you are feeling ill, you might be worried about whether you have COVID-19. We want to provide some guidance to help assure you of the proper steps to take.

Published: March 19, 2020 | Updated: March 20, 2020

If you are feeling ill, you might be worried about whether you have COVID-19. There is much attention in the news and social media about the availability of testing equipment, the inability to get tested even if you’re concerned, and the uncertainty of test results. We want to provide some guidance to help assure you of the proper steps to take.

• If you’re worried about catching and/or spreading the coronavirus, the absolute best thing you can do is stay home. Minimize your interaction with others, especially those at high risk (older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease). If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever and/or shortness of breath), call your health care provider or schedule an online visit through your phone or computer with Norton eCare. Use your MyNortonChart account to make a Norton eCare appointment. If you don’t have an account, sign up at NortonHealthcare.com/MyNortonChart. Monitor your health while you are resting at home. If your symptoms become severe and you have difficulty breathing, seek emergency care.
• The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications for patients with COVID-19. Whether you have been tested or not, if you’re feeling ill, care for yourself at home as you would for any viral illness, including rest, drinking fluids and managing your symptoms. Call your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations on over-the-counter medications that can help with symptoms. This is what our providers are telling our low-risk patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have mild symptoms.
• If you had a COVID-19 test and your results were negative, this does not necessarily mean that you do not have COVID-19, especially if you do not have symptoms. The purpose of the test is to confirm a positive diagnosis. A negative test result does not mean that you are not carrying the virus. If you had symptoms that concerned you and your test result was negative, it is best to stay in self-isolation for seven days after you are feeling better and your symptoms have eased. Assuming you’ll be sick for a week, your total isolation would be 14 days. It is possible to spread the coronavirus to other people even if you don’t have significant respiratory symptoms.