In this guide, we share how you and your loved ones can reduce the risk of catching COVID-19, what signs and symptoms to watch for, current treatment options, and how long COVID-19 typically lasts.
- What Is COVID-19?
- Signs & Symptoms of COVID-19
- How to Treat COVID-19
- How to Prevent COVID-19
- COVID-19 FAQs
What Is COVID-19?
COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2) is a contagious coronavirus variant that causes upper-respiratory illness. Though this particular variant emerged in 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates frequently, creating different strains of the disease, which means you can catch COVID-19 more than once.
Unlike the common cold, flu, or RSV, which usually peak in the fall and winter months, COVID-19 actually has dual seasonality, with peaks in December and January, as well as in July and August. Health experts believe the summer surge of COVID-19 is likely due to hot weather, human behavior patterns, and a virus that easily mutates.
Who Can Get COVID-19?
COVID-19 affects people of all ages; however, those who are older than 65 face greater risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most deaths from respiratory illnesses—such as those from COVID-19, the flu, or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)—occur among seniors, and that risk increases with each year past 65.
You may also have an increased risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 if you are:
- A current or past smoker
- Older than 65
- Pregnant
- A recipient of a stem cell or organ transplant
Some additional risk factors include:
- Cancer
- Certain blood disorders
- Cerebrovascular disease (such as a previous stroke)
- Chronic conditions that affect your lungs, kidneys, liver, or heart
- Congenital conditions (cerebral palsy or Down syndrome)
- Compromised immune system
- Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Mental health conditions (including depression)
- Neurological conditions (such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease)
- Obesity
COVID-19 vs. Flu
Similar to Influenza A and B, COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, or talking. In addition to traveling through the air, coronavirus droplets that are left behind on surfaces like doorknobs, counters, and phones can also spread the illness.
It’s difficult to distinguish between the flu and COVID-19 because many symptoms are the same. If you or your loved one have symptoms of flu or COVID-19, you can take an at-home combination test that detects Flu A, Flu B, and COVID-19—or you can take a test at a medical facility.
Since at-home tests may produce a false negative, if you still have symptoms of COVID-19, you should take another test in two days or call your doctor’s office for a more accurate test.
Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19
As the coronavirus continues to mutate, it’s expected that symptoms will also evolve. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, loss of smell and taste were common signs that someone had been infected with coronavirus. Today, these symptoms can still occur, but fewer people with the infection seem to have them. Symptoms can also vary by vaccination status.
Mild to moderate symptoms that could indicate you have COVID-19 include:
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Headache
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Brain fog
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
More serious (and possibly emergency) COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain or pressure that persists
- Confusion (beyond simple brain fog)
- Trouble staying awake or waking up
- Blue, gray, or pale skin, lips, face, or nail beds
- Severe leg pain, warmth, or other signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, also called a blood clot)
If you or your loved one experience any severe COVID-19 symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.
How to Treat COVID-19
If you or a loved one test positive for COVID-19, there are a number of treatment options available to address symptoms or provide medical intervention, depending on the severity of illness.
Support Your Immune System
When you’re fighting coronavirus, making healthy choices is essential to keep your immune system working properly. Be sure to get plenty of rest and consume hydrating fluids, such as water, chicken broth, tea, and sugar-free sports drinks (to replace electrolytes). Also, maintaining a nutritious diet can be helpful in combating COVID-19 infections. Try to consume foods rich in vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and zinc to recover faster.
Take OTC Medications
Depending on the COVID-19 symptoms you’re experiencing, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can provide some relief. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can alleviate aches and reduce fever (. A decongestant may make it easier to breathe, especially at night. And cough medicines and throat lozenges can help reduce coughing and sore throat. Please note that OTC drugs can help reduce symptoms and discomfort, but they don’t cure COVID-19.
Embrace Home Remedies
While they can’t cure coronavirus illnesses, home remedies—such as heating pads for aches and pains, warm soups and teas for opening nasal passages, cold compresses for fevers, and gargling with salt water for sore throats—can make COVID-19 symptoms more manageable.
Take an Antiviral Prescription
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you or your loved one take an antiviral medication. These medications work best when taken shortly after COVID-19 symptoms begin to appear:
- Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavir (Paxlovid)
- Veklury (Remdesivir)
- Molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
Because these antiviral medications are most effective in the early days of illness, it’s wise to contact your doctor when the symptoms first occur, especially if you or your loved one are at high-risk of serious infection.
Seek Hospitalization
If you or your loved one are struggling to breathe, experiencing severe chest pain, have blue or gray lips or skin, or notice other concerning symptoms, call your doctor right away or call 911.
If you’re admitted to the hospital for COVID-19, your vital signs will be consistently monitored, and you may be given the following treatments:
- Antiviral medication given intravenously, such as remdesivir
- Corticosteroid to reduce inflammation
- Supplemental oxygen to increase oxygen delivery to the body’s cells
- Infusion of convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19
- Mechanical ventilation to assist with breathing or perform the function of breathing
How to Prevent COVID-19
There are several preventative lifestyle tips you and your loved ones can take to reduce the likelihood of getting or spreading the new COVID-19 strain.
Practice Good Hygiene
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently to remove viruses from your skin and minimize the transfer of germs to commonly used household items. You can also consider wearing disposable gloves. When possible, use paper towels or separate hand towels to minimize the spread of germs.
Disinfect Common Surfaces
Wipe down handrails, doorknobs, remote controls, phones, refrigerator handles, garbage can lids, faucets, and any other spot that’s touched frequently throughout the day. If you work around large groups of people—especially young children or at a medical facility—change clothes when you arrive home to help prevent the spread of germs.
Improve Air Quality
Whether you choose to spray an aerosol disinfectant or utilize a home air purifier, these actions can help fight airborne droplets caused by sneezing, laughing, coughing, and talking. If you use a purifier, be sure to replace the filters as directed by the manufacturer.
Avoid Close Contact When Sick (or Around Sick People)
If you or someone in your home has COVID-19 symptoms, it’s ideal to stay home and quarantine. Consider staying in a separate bedroom or using a different bathroom than the rest of the household to limit exposure and reduce the frequency of cleaning needed. Do not return to regular activities until symptoms (particularly fever) have been gone for 24 hours. Then, over the next five days, take additional precautions to reduce the chances of spreading the virus.
Get an Annual COVID-19 Vaccination
Because the coronavirus mutates and changes frequently, one of the most important things you and your loved ones can do is to receive an annual COVID-19 shot. Each year’s vaccine is prepared to fight the newest strain of coronavirus. This can help you avoid getting the virus or reduce the severity of COVID-19 if you do contract it. To provide greater overall protection from respiratory diseases, ask your healthcare provider about getting flu, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines as well.
Consider Wearing a Mask
If you’re immune compromised (due to cancer treatment), have a chronic illness, are over the age of 65, work with vulnerable populations, or think you may be coming down with a respiratory virus, wearing a KN95 mask can help reduce the spread of droplets both from you and to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19
How long does COVID-19 last?
Mild cases of COVID-19 typically linger for about 1-2 weeks. If you have symptoms that persist or develop more than 4-12 weeks after a COVID-19 infection—even if the initial illness was mild or without symptoms—it’s possible you may have long COVID. This frustrating chronic condition can affect nearly any body system, including respiratory, cardiac, neurological, joints and muscles, digestive, and mental health. If you suspect you have long COVID, contact your doctor.
How long are you contagious with COVID-19?
If you or a loved one are infected with COVID-19 (i.e., the SARS-CoV-2 virus), you may be contagious before showing any symptoms and even after you’re starting to feel better. Typically, symptoms show within 2 to 14 days of exposure, and a person can be contagious for 10 to 20 days, depending on the severity of their infection and the current strain of coronavirus.
To protect yourself and others from spreading COVID-19, it’s important to consistently disinfect common areas of your home, take care of your body to maintain a strong immune system, and avoid exposure to those who are infected.
Do I still need to get vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19?
Yes. Since vaccine effectiveness diminishes over time and new variants continue to emerge, the annual vaccine formulations are updated to better protect against currently circulating strains of coronavirus. Please note that the FDA has changed COVID vaccine recommendations; some states are also rolling out guidelines that may differ from national directives. If you’re not sure whether you need a vaccine, consult your healthcare provider.
How BrightStar Care® Helps with COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment
Your local BrightStar Care agency is committed to offering A Higher Standard® of care during each visit to you or your loved one’s home. Our nurses and caregivers not only follow standard COVID-19 protocols, but they can help keep track of vaccination documentation, assist with vaccine appointments, and provide coronavirus care for children and adults alike.
Whether you’re looking for in-home care services for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about our passion for caregiving and in-home nursing services.