Coronavirus symptoms — your guide to quarantine at home

If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, you’re waiting for test results, or you’re being evaluated for possible symptoms:

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink lots of fluids
  • Eat healthy foods
  • Continue monitoring your symptoms.

Here are some other things you can do to protect yourself and your family, and help keep your household safe:

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Do’s:

  • Stay home and isolate yourself in a separate room and bathroom, if possible.
  • Wear a mask over your nose, mouth, and chin if you must be around other people.
  • Wash your hands often — especially after touching items that others may touch. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve. Throw away tissues immediately and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect all surfaces after using a shared room — including the door handle, light switch, toilet handle and seat, sink, and faucet handles.


Don’ts:

  • Don’t share personal items like cups, utensils, dishes, towels, or bedding. Wash these things thoroughly with soap and warm water after every use. Also avoid sharing phones and remote controls.
  • Don’t provide direct care for others, if possible — especially anyone at high risk for COVID-19 complications. If you must care for others, always wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and keep your distance as much as possible.
     

What to do if your symptoms get worse

Find out how to get care or call us at the number on your member ID card. If you need an in-person appointment, please call ahead for instructions on how to check in — and help slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing your mask.

If you develop any life-threatening symptoms, such as trouble breathing, consistent pain in the chest, or bluish lips or face, call 911 and tell them that you may have COVID-19. If possible, put on your mask before help arrives.1

When is it safe to be around others?

To prevent spreading the virus to others, you should isolate if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, regardless of anyone's vaccination status. Stay home for 5 days and until:

  • You’ve been fever-free for 24 hours, without taking medication to reduce it.
  • Your other COVID-19 symptoms have improved. Loss of taste or smell can last weeks or months, so you don’t need to wait for them to get better before being around others.

You may need to isolate longer if you have a weakened immune system or severe COVID-19 symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what’s best in your case. 



 

Learn more about COVID-19

Visit kp.org/covid to find more information and updates about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, vaccines, and boosters. 

  


 

Footnotes
1If you believe you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. For the complete definition of an emergency medical condition, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents.