When you are contagious

Studies show that people can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms. Most people are no longer contagious once they've been symptom-free for 24 hours without fever medication, but some stay contagious longer. 

What to do if you are sick with COVID-19

If you have mild or moderate symptoms, stay home except to get medical care.

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Take over-the-counter medicines, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever.
• Stay away from others in your home as much as possible. If you must be near others, wear a mask.
• Monitor your symptoms. If they get worse, contact a health care professional for advice. You can get advice virtually or in person through OHSU’s Immediate Care services.

Long COVID-19

You may have long COVID-19 if symptoms last weeks or months. Symptoms vary widely and can affect almost every organ system. They include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Brain fog
• Emotional challenges
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Heart issues
• Digestive symptoms
• Nerve pain

Long COVID-19 that greatly limits a person's daily life can be considered a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Paxlovid

Paxlovid treats mild to moderate COVID-19 by stopping the virus from making copies of itself. Treatment is most effective early, and must start within five days of first symptoms.

Patients typically take three tablets twice a day for five days — 30 pills in all. In clinical trials, Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization and death in people at high risk.

To qualify for Paxlovid treatment, you must:

• Be age 12 or older.
• Weigh at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds).
• Be at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• Have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 that do not require hospital care.
• Have symptoms that started within the past five days.

Paxlovid can cause complications for people who take heart-related medications, including blood thinners and some drugs that lower cholesterol (statins). It's best to talk with your doctor about possible interactions. You can pause using some drugs safely during Paxlovid treatment.

Remdesivir

Remdesivir is an antiviral medication approved to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk of developing severe illness. It appears to work best when started early in an infection.

To get remdesivir if you are not in a hospital, you must:

• Have started having COVID symptoms in the past seven days
• Be at high risk for serious illness
• Be unable to take Paxlovid for COVID because of drug interactions or other considerations 

Remdesivir is given in an IV once a day for three days. Side effects can include nausea or liver inflammation.

Lagevrio

Lagevrio is an antiviral medication for mild to moderate COVID-19. Treatment should start as soon as possible and within five days.

You qualify for treatment with Lagevrio if you:

• Are 18 or older
• Have COVID-19
• Are at high risk of serious illness
• Are not in the hospital
• Have symptoms that started in the past five days
• Cannot use preferred COVID-19 treatments

Patients take four capsules every 12 hours for five days — a total of 40 pills. In clinical trials, Lagevrio reduced the risk of hospitalization and death for people at high risk. Lagevrio is not recommended during pregnancy. 

Rapid antigen and PCR tests

There are two types of tests: viral tests and antibody tests.

To find out if you are infected, you need a viral test. Viral tests detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

There are two types of viral tests:

• Rapid antigen tests look for antigens (proteins) related to the coronavirus. Rapid tests are fast and easy to use. Self-tests can be used at home. They are more likely to give false negative results, especially if you don’t have any symptoms.
• Laboratory PCR tests look for genetic material from the virus. They take longer to produce results and must be done by a clinic or pharmacy. They are more accurate than rapid tests.

Learn more:

• COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know, CDC

When to test or get tested

The CDC recommends that you test:

• Immediately if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• After five days if you came in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
  • If you test negative using a home test, take another after 48 hours or get a PCR test as soon as you can.
  • If you test negative a second time using a home test, test again after another 48 hours.

It's also a good idea to test one or two days before attending an event or visiting someone at high risk, the CDC says.

Learn more:

• Testing for COVID-19, CDC