Treating COVID-19 at home: Care tips for you and others

Providing care at home for a person sick with COVID-19? Or caring for yourself at home? Understand when emergency care is needed and what you can do to prevent the spread of infection.

If you have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and you're caring for yourself at home or you're caring for a loved one with COVID-19 at home, you might have questions. How do you know when emergency care is needed? How long do you need to isolate? What can you do to prevent the spread of germs? How can you support a sick loved one and manage your stress? Here's what you need to know.

At-home treatment

Most people who become sick with COVID-19 will only have mild illness and can get better at home. Symptoms might last a few days. People who have the virus might feel better in about a week. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and includes:

• Rest
• Fluids
• Pain relievers

But older adults and people of any age with existing long-lasting (chronic) medical conditions should call their health care provider as soon as symptoms start. These factors put people at greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 . People with these conditions who get COVID-19 may also be eligible for certain treatments. These treatments need to start within a few days after symptoms start.

Follow the health care provider's suggestions about care and staying at home (isolating). Talk to the provider if you have any questions about treatments. Help the sick person get food and any drugs needed. And, if needed, take care of his or her pet.

Also think about how caring for a sick person might affect your health. If you are older or have an existing long-lasting (chronic) medical condition, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, you may be at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19 . You might think about staying away from the ill person and finding another person to provide care. Also, you might choose to wear a mask that gives higher protection.

Emergency warning signs

Carefully watch yourself or your loved one for signs and symptoms that are getting worse.

The provider might suggest use of a home pulse oximeter, especially if the ill person has risk factors for severe illness with COVID-19 and COVID-19 symptoms. A pulse oximeter is a plastic clip that attaches to a finger. The device can help check breathing by measuring how much oxygen is in the blood. A reading of less than 92% might increase the need for staying in the hospital. If the provider recommends a pulse oximeter, make sure you understand how to use the device properly. And make sure you know when a reading should prompt a call to the provider.

If symptoms seem to be getting worse, call the provider.

If you or the person with COVID-19 has emergency warning signs, get medical attention right away. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you notice any emergency signs, including:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• New confusion
• Unable to stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

This list doesn't include all symptoms. Call the provider if you or the person with COVID-19 has other severe symptoms.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Protecting others if you're ill

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested as soon as you can after your symptoms start. Stay home until you receive results.

If you're ill with COVID-19 , you can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• Stay home from work, school and public areas unless it's to get medical care.
• Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing services or taxis.
• Stay isolated in one room, away from your family, others and pets, as much as you can. Eat in your room. Open windows to keep air moving. Use a separate bathroom if you can.
• Avoid shared space in your home as much as you can. When using shared spaces, limit your movements. Make sure your kitchen and other shared spaces have good air flow. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from your family members.
• Clean often-touched surfaces in your separate room and bathroom, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, every day.
• Avoid sharing personal household items, such as dishes, towels, bedding and electronics such as phones.
• Wear a face mask that has the most protection that you'll wear and fits comfortably when near others or pets. Change the face mask each day.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Then throw away the tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't nearby, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

Protecting yourself while caring for someone with COVID-19

To protect yourself while caring for someone with COVID-19 , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend:

• Keep your hands clean and away from your face. Wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important to do after being in close contact or in the same room as the sick person. If soap and water aren't nearby, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wear a face mask. If you need to be in the same room with the person who is ill, wear a face mask. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the ill person. Don't touch or handle your mask while you are using it. If your mask gets wet or dirty, swap it with a clean, dry mask. Throw away the used mask and wash your hands.
• Clean your home often. Use household cleaning sprays or wipes to clean surfaces that are often touched, such as counters, tabletops and doorknobs. Avoid cleaning the sick person's separate room and bathroom. Set aside bedding and utensils for the sick person only to use.
• Avoid direct contact with the sick person's fluids. Wear gloves and a face mask when providing care and when handling stool, urine or other waste. Wash your hands before and after removing your gloves and mask. Don't reuse your mask or gloves.
• Avoid having visitors in your home. Don't allow visitors until the sick person has completely gotten better and doesn't have any COVID-19 signs or symptoms.

Ending isolation or quarantine

If you have COVID-19

Isolation is used to separate people with the COVID-19 virus from those who aren't sick. Talk to the provider about when to end home isolation if you have a weakened immune system. If you think or know you had COVID-19 and had symptoms, the CDC recommends that it's OK to be around others after:

• At least five days have passed since your symptoms started. Wear a mask when you're around others for five more days. If you don't have a fever and want to get tested after at least five days, you may do so. Wear a mask for five more days. But if your test is positive, you're moderately ill or you still have symptoms, stay at home for five more days.
• At least 24 hours have passed with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
• Other symptoms are improving — loss of taste and smell might last for weeks or months after recovery but shouldn't delay ending isolation.

These recommendations may vary if you have had severe COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system.

Most people don't need testing to decide when they can be around others.

If you're a healthcare worker with COVID-19 , the time you can return to work may vary.

If you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19

If you're caring for someone with COVID-19 and you aren't fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends that you get tested at least five days after being exposed. The CDC also recommends that you stay at home (quarantine) and not go anywhere for at least five days after your last contact with the sick person. Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 . Wear a mask for 10 days. Try to stay away from people in your household. If you have symptoms, stay home and in a separate room from others.

However, if you've been caring for someone with COVID-19 , you don't need to stay home if:

• You've gotten all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots.
• You've had COVID-19 within the last three months, recovered and remain without symptoms of COVID-19 .

But wear a mask when you're around others for 10 days.

If you've received the recommended vaccine doses but not a booster, stay home for five days. Get tested after at least five days. And wear a mask for five more days. If you're not able to stay home, wear a mask for 10 days.

Get tested at least five days after the exposure, even if you don't have symptoms. It's also recommended that you wear a mask in public for 10 days following the exposure.

Coping with caregiving stress

As you or your loved one gets better, seek support. Stay connected to others through texts or phone or video calls. Share your worries. Avoid too much COVID-19 news. Rest and focus on fun activities, such as reading, watching movies or playing online games.

As you take care of a loved one who is ill with COVID-19 , you might feel stressed too. You might worry about your health and the health of the sick person. This can affect your ability to eat, sleep and focus. And it can worsen long-lasting (chronic) health problems. It may also increase your use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

If you have a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, continue with your treatment. Contact your provider or mental health professional if your condition worsens.

To care for yourself, follow these steps:

• Keep a daily routine, such as taking a shower and getting dressed.
• Take breaks from COVID-19 news and social media.
• Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of fluids.
• Stay physically active.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Avoid use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol.
• Stretch, breathe deeply or meditate.
• Focus on fun activities.
• Connect with others and share how you are feeling.

Caring for yourself can help you cope with stress. It will also help you be able to support your loved one's recovery.

April 01, 2022

1. What to do if you are sick. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html. Accessed March 28, 2022.
2. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Caring for someone sick at home. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html. Accessed March 28, 2022.
3. Advice for the public: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). World Health Organization. https:// www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public. Accessed March 28, 2022.
4. Coping with stress. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2022.
5. CDC updates and shortens recommended isolation and quarantine period for general population. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
6. Mental health and psychosocial considerations during COVID-19 outbreak. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8. Accessed April 2, 2020.
7. Ending isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19: Interim guidance. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2022.
8. Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed March 28, 2022.
9. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Quarantine and isolation. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html. Accessed March 28, 2022.
10. Living guidance for clinical management of COVID-19. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/health-care-readiness/covid-19. Accessed March 28, 2022.
11. Test for current infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html. Accessed March 28, 2022.
12. Interim guidance for managing healthcare personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.
13. Strategies to mitigate healthcare personnel staffing shortages. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/mitigating-staff-shortages.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2021.

See more In-depth

See also

1. Antibiotics: Are you misusing them?
2. COVID-19 and vitamin D
3. Convalescent plasma therapy
4. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
5. COVID-19: How can I protect myself?
6. Cough
7. Herd immunity and coronavirus
8. COVID-19 and pets
9. COVID-19 and your mental health
10. COVID-19 antibody testing
11. COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu
12. COVID-19 drugs: Are there any that work?
13. Long-term effects of COVID-19
14. COVID-19 tests
15. COVID-19 in babies and children
16. Coronavirus infection by race
17. COVID-19 travel advice
18. COVID-19 vaccine: Should I reschedule my mammogram?
19. COVID-19 vaccines for kids: What you need to know
20. COVID-19 vaccines
21. COVID-19 variant
22. COVID-19 vs. flu: Similarities and differences
23. COVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?
24. Debunking coronavirus myths
25. Diarrhea
26. Different COVID-19 vaccines
27. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
28. Fever
29. Fever: First aid
30. Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever
31. Fight coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission at home
32. Honey: An effective cough remedy?
33. How do COVID-19 antibody tests differ from diagnostic tests?
34. How to take your pulse
35. How to measure your respiratory rate
36. How to take your temperature
37. How well do face masks protect against COVID-19?
38. Loss of smell
39. Mayo Clinic Minute: You're washing your hands all wrong
40. Mayo Clinic Minute: How dirty are common surfaces?
41. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
42. Nausea and vomiting
43. Pregnancy and COVID-19
44. Red eye
45. Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
46. Safety tips for attending school during COVID-19
47. Sex and COVID-19
48. Shortness of breath
49. Thermometers: Understand the options
50. Unusual symptoms of coronavirus
51. Watery eyes

.