What to Do When You Get Sick With COVID-19 (Or Anything Else)

Note: Information in this article was accurate at the time of original publication. Because information about COVID-19 changes rapidly, we encourage you to visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and your state and local government for the latest information.

Sooner or later, each of us gets sick. On average, American adults get two to three colds a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And there are plenty of other viruses still circulating right now, including the flu, and of course, what’s on everyone’s mind—COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. There is a lot of information about how to prevent infection, but many people are confused about how to care for themselves if they get sick.

With that in mind, we asked Jaimie Meyer, MD, an infectious disease doctor treating patients with COVID-19, to tell us about the five things she wishes everyone would do when they are sick.

Consider keeping a journal or notes on your phone, especially to keep track of dates. For example, it is helpful to know what day/time you spiked a fever (and how high it went), or when you started coughing and what types of things made your cough better or worse. Don’t feel you need to include every detail, just jot down enough info so that your doctor can make informed decisions about your care.

If you can’t get in touch with your primary care doctor right away, don’t panic. For mild symptoms, it’s reasonable to leave a message for the doctor or his/her nurse and wait for a call-back. Not everything is an emergency. If you can, you might consider messaging your doctor directly through your electronic health record, like MyChart. 

Be mindful of your health care provider’s time. If you are calling, he or she probably has 10 other patients who are calling, too. Make the call efficient. This is the time to make good use of the data you noted about symptoms. Be specific about what started when, what types of things have made it better or worse, and whether you may have been exposed to someone who is ill. If a covering (or on-call) health care provider is returning your call and doesn’t have access to your electronic health record, make sure to tell them what other medications you are taking because it may change the treatment strategy.

Notify your health care provider if your symptoms get worse—if you have trouble breathing, for example—you may need to go to the hospital for further evaluation. This is not the time to be “Dr. Google” or to take matters into your own hands by trying various home remedies. Misinformation can cause people to panic or to downplay how sick they are. Your best guidance is from your health care provider.

If you can prioritize your own health, this is the time to do it. Sleep more, eat healthy foods, wash your hands. As some suggest, “give in to it.” Don’t go out if you’re sick and don’t expend any more energy than is necessary on family matters. This is a perfect time for your children to learn how to be a little independent, if possible, or for your partner, if available, to pitch in so you can focus on getting better.

Questions about COVID-19? The Yale Medicine/Yale New Haven Health COVID-19 Call Center offers information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy. Health professionals are available to answer your questions, Monday – Friday, 7 am – 7 pm. Call: 203-688-1700.

Click here to learn more about Yale’s research efforts and response to COVID-19.

Note: Information provided in Yale Medicine articles is for general informational purposes only. No content in the articles should ever be used as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Always seek the individual advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition.