How to care for them while protecting yourself and others

Your spouse develops a dry cough and says they feel feverish. Or your roommate starts feeling achy, exhausted and short of breath after finding out a coworker tested positive for COVID-19. As cases continue surging across the country and new variants emerge, more people are finding themselves in these situations.

So, what should you do if someone in your household starts showing COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for the virus? Here’s some guidance on how to care for someone who has COVID-19 while limiting the chances that the virus will spread easily in your household.

“Right now, we’re seeing a lot of infectivity in homes, where someone who’s sick infects others they live with,” says James Merlino, MD, Chief Clinical Transformation Officer.

What to do if someone in your house has COVID-19

• Isolate and quarantine the person who’s sick by placing them in a separate bedroom and have them use a separate bathroom if possible.
• Caregivers should also isolate to protect the public. Both patient and caregiver should stay isolated for at least 5 days.
• Create as much air circulation as possible and open the windows weather permitting.
• Wear masks.
• Watch for warning signs such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, new confusion, trouble waking or staying awake, bluish lips or face, and seek emergency medical care immediately if these symptoms appear.
• Trace and inform others who have been in contact with the person who is ill.
• Offer emotional support.
• Monitor temperature and use over-the counter cough, cold and fever-reducing medications.
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day and ensure your household disinfectant is effective against the coronavirus.
• Don’t share personal household items with the person who is sick. Wash all of their cups, dishes and eating utensils with dish soap and hot water (or in the dishwasher).
• Avoid visitors to your home — especially anyone who’s at high risk for COVID-19 complications.

“COVID-19 often gets in through the back door — it spreads when someone loosens up on precautions or when a family member isn’t careful,” Dr. Merlino says. “So, we have to be very vigilant with these precautions.” For more information please refer to the full article on the Cleveland Clinic website.

Article and Image are Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health