Tags: covid | prepared | cough drops

What to Do if You or a Loved One Tests Positive for COVID-19

face masks are essential to protect those around you
(Vyychan/Dreamstime.com)

By    |   Friday, 02 October 2020 05:12 PM EDT

Over 7 million Americans, including President Donald Trump, have tested positive for COVID-19. He and the first lady, Melania Trump, who also tested positive for the virus, will have to follow procedures such as isolation from others to protect those around them.

If the symptoms are mild, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests staying at home to rest and drinking plenty of fluids. According to CNN, the CDC advises only leaving home to seek medical care if your condition gets worse.

While nobody wants to think that they may be a victim of COVID-19, it is smart to be prepared. The CDC has a checklist of steps you can take to ensure the safety and preparedness of your household, including creating an emergency contact list so that friends and family know who they can reach.

Parents should plan backup care for their children in case they contract the virus. Have a game plan, said Dr. Tanya Altmann, a UCLA-trained pediatrician and parenting expert. ''You need to know what to do so you’re not panicked and struggling if one parent gets a fever in the middle of the night,'' she said, according to CNN.

It is also important to stock up on critical supplies in advance. Here’s a list of essential items you should have on hand:

  • Thermometer. A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is a hallmark symptom of COVID-19 so take your temperature first, before taking medication to reduce pain or fever.
  • Cough drops or cough syrup to reduce coughing symptoms.
  • Acetaminophen helps reduce fever and muscle aches. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory that also reduces pain and fever but should be used with caution if you have gastrointestinal issues.
  • Antidiarrheal medicine to treat another common COVID-19 symptom.
  • Face masks are crucial whether you have the disposable ones or cloth masks. Keep several throughout the house and in the car. Have extras for visitors.
  • Alcohol-based sanitizers and sanitizing wipes flew off the shelves during the early days of the pandemic. Stock up now.
  • Latex gloves should also be strategically placed throughout the home and automobile.
  • According to Good Housekeeping, people taking prescription medicines should keep a 30-60 day supply on hand. The American Red Cross recommends having over-the-counter medicines such as cough and cold medicines, stomach remedies and allergy treatments, if needed.

If you have someone at home who is in the high-risk group for COVID-19 or its complications, consider isolating them in a separate room or area of the house, says Altmann, according to CNN. Caregivers should wear gloves and masks when interacting with a sick family member, she adds, and never share dishes, glasses, or other utensils.

The CDC also offers comprehensive guidelines on when people with COVID-19 can end their isolation and be around others.

Lynn C. Allison

Lynn C. Allison, a Newsmax health reporter, is an award-winning medical journalist and author of more than 30 self-help books.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Health-News
Over 7 million Americans, including President Donald Trump, have tested positive for COVID-19. He and the First Lady, Melania Trump, who also tested positive for the virus, will have to follow procedures such as isolation from others to protect those around them...
covid, prepared, cough drops
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2020-12-02
Friday, 02 October 2020 05:12 PM
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