WHAT QUALIFIES AS AN EXPOSURE?
❖ If you’ve been within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.
❖ That’s right! Even if you were only around someone infected with COVID-19, within 6 feet, for only minutes at a time, all those minutes add up to 15 minutes and that's all the Omicron variant needs to successfully infect you.
HOW SOON CAN I EXPECT TO SEE SYMPTOMS?
❖ Anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
WHAT SYMPTOMS AM I LOOKING FOR?
❖ Flu symptoms (e.g. body aches, fatigue)
❖ Cold symptoms (e.g. scratchy throat, sore throat, coughing, runny nose,)
❖ Rarely gastrointestinal symptoms
WHEN SHOULD I TEST?
❖ If you have any symptoms you should get tested for COVID-19.
❖ Test 2-5 days from known exposure date
❖ If you tested negative, 2 days after exposure, wait 1-2 days and test again to ensure you're actually negative.
❖ If you live in a household with someone who tested positive, and you develop symptoms it’s safe to assume that you have COVID-19. No need to test, especially in light of the shortages of
tests.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE TESTING SITE IS A SCAMMER?
❖ All legitimate COVID-19 testing sites should be able to show you their medical credentials upon request.
❖ They should also be able to tell you what laboratory test is being used
❖ They should know where the test is being run and how the results will be reported back to you.
❖ A testing site could be fake if they ask for social security numbers or other non-medical information.
❖ Be suspicious if their materials do not have a logo.
❖ Be wary if they have set up on a sidewalk and are not affiliated with a medical provider.
WHO CAN GET COVID-19?
❖ Unvaccinated
❖ Vaccinated & boosted
❖ Already tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered
❖ Any age, gender, ethnicity
CAN I STILL SPREAD COVID-19 IF I’VE TESTED POSITIVE BUT I HAVE NO
SYMPTOMS?
❖ Yes!
NOW THAT I HAVE A KNOWN COVID-EXPOSURE & I TESTED WHAT SHOULD I DO?
❖ Quarantine for 5 days if unvaccinated, or if you are more than 6 months out from your 2nd vaccine dose.
❖ After your 5 days, you should wear your mask, at all times, for an additional 5 days to keep from spreading the virus.
❖ If you still have symptoms after isolating for 5 days, stay home until you feel better and then start your 5 days of wearing a mask at all times.
HOW DO I CALCULATE MY ISOLATION PERIOD?
❖ The first day you experience symptoms, or test positive is Day 0. That means that Day 1 is the first full day after you experience symptoms.
❖ For those with no symptoms, Day 0 is the day you tested positive.
❖ For those that tested positive, have no symptoms, but then develop symptoms later, have to start their isolation period over. So, Day 0 is the day the symptoms showed up.
❖ For specific details on how to isolate see the following: https://truecare.org/wp-content/uploads/COVHomeIsolation-word-doc.-Revised-03-10-202
0.pdf
DO I HAVE TO QUARANTINE AFTER I TRAVEL?
❖ Test 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days.
❖ Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
❖ If you chose not to test, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE OFFICE?
❖ Trouble breathing
❖ Persistent pain, or pressure in your chest
❖ Inability to wake, or stay awake
❖ Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
❖ Any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you
WHAT IF I’M IN THE HIGH-RISK AGE GROUP (OVER 65)?
❖ If you’re under 65 and you have COVID-19, and you have manageable symptoms (see “When Should I Call The Office for reference to unmanageable symptoms) take care of yourself the same way you would with a cold. Get plenty of rest, hydrate, and take over-the-counter medications for symptoms (e.g. Tylenol/ibuprofen for aches and headaches, decongestants for runny nose, etc.)
❖ If you’re over 65 and you have COVID-19 call 619-685-2500. A doctor will screen you to see if you are a candidate for the monoclonal antibody.
WHAT MEDICATIONS TREAT COVID-19?
❖ It’s called Paxlovid
❖ Be aware: the most common adverse events from Paxlovid are diarrhea, high blood pressure, muscle aches, and altered/impaired sense of taste. ❖ Be aware: it can cause symptom rebound where you start to feel better and when you finish your Paxlovid course you start to get symptoms again.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
❖ https://www.sandiegocounty.gov
❖ https://www.cdc.gov
