Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Resources

Table of Contents

I tested positive for COVID-19. What do I need to do now?

Updated March 2024

If you get sick with a respiratory virus, the CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that you stay home and away from others. If you test positive for COVID-19 or influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness.

The guidance recommends that you stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and you are not using fever-reducing medication).

After your symptoms are getting better and you do not have a fever for at least 24 hours, the guidance encourages added precaution over the next five days after time at home, away from others, is over. Since some people remain contagious beyond the “stay-at-home” period, a period of added precaution using prevention strategies, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses can lower the chance of spreading respiratory viruses to others.

What resources are available to me during my stay-at-home period?
In Boone County, if you cannot make arrangements for someone to assist you by dropping off food and other necessities, please call 211 for assistance.

If you have questions, you can call 573.874.7249 to reach our clinic directly and to speak to one of our staff members in English or Spanish.

Respiratory Virus Guidance Update FAQs

How can I prevent spreading respiratory viruses?

Updated March 2024

As part of the Respiratory Virus Guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:

  • Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
  • Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
  • Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

Respiratory Virus Guidance Update FAQs

If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include:

  • Chills or fever (100.4 degrees or greater)
  • 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

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status.

If you develop symptoms, get tested or take an at-home test.

Testing

  • Make sure to test at the right time.
    • If you have symptoms, test immediately.
    • If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.

Local testing for COVID-19

Below are ways you can be tested for COVID-19: 

  • If you have a Primary Care Provider (PCP), please contact your PCP who can determine how best to get you tested.
  • If you do not have a PCP but have insurance or can afford to pay for a visit, you can consider Urgent Care or Quick Care for evaluation and testing.

In-person testing

At-home testing

  • You can purchase at-home COVID tests at local retailers.

Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about when to test and the different kinds of tests.

Information on the COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in Boone County. Staying up to date on your vaccinations and receiving COVID booster shots when you’re eligible continue to be our best line of defense against the virus. In addition to getting vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s recommended you stay home if you are sick, including getting tested if you are exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19.

View more information and a list of where to get your vaccine

Frequently asked questions about COVID-19

Should I seek medical care?

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. In some circumstances, these droplets may contaminate surfaces they touch.

Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.

When is someone infectious?

People infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus even if they are asymptomatic or presymptomatic. Peak transmissibility appears to occur early during the infectious period (prior to symptom onset until a few days after), but infected persons can shed infectious virus up to 10 days following infection. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can transmit COVID-19.

How can I prevent myself from getting COVID-19

As part of the Respiratory Virus Guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:

  • Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
  • Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
  • Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

Is there a treatment for COVID-19?

Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help feel better.

If you have COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a health care provider or pharmacist and started within 5–7 days after symptoms appear. Contact your health care provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are currently mild.