I tested positive for COVID-19
You may be isolated, but you’re not alone
We’ve curated the best resources on the web to help you navigate a life with and after COVID-19.
Though most patients will recover fully from COVID-19, some will develop acute complications or chronic conditions. Dive in below or learn more about what Carbon Health’s COVID Positive Care program can offer you.
Standard COVID Experiences
Overview
There are a myriad of symptoms related to COVID-19 that could be directly caused by the virus or are the body's response to the virus.
What might people be experiencing?
- Sore, achy muscles
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of smell / taste
- Fatigue / Exhaustion
- Nausea
- Backache
- Dizziness
- Depression / Anxiety
- Disorientation
- Running Nose
- Diarrhea
- Cough
When should I be concerned?
If any of your symptoms associated with COVID-19 worsen or you develop new or additional symptoms associated with a COVID-19 infection, please contact a provider for next steps.
How long will it last?
Recovery time tends to be around two weeks for mild infections and 3-6 weeks for more severe infections. However, the length of infection can vary depending on a particular patient's age, underlying medical conditions, and illness severity. For more guidance on your specific recovery path, contact a provider
Acute Complications
Overview
A disease complication is the unfavorable result of an underlying medical condition and may result in the development of new diseases or medical conditions. It is not currently known why COVID-19 complications develop. The complications could be due to direct damage from the virus itself or indirectly from the body's inflammatory response. These conditions can also be caused by other risk factors not related to COVID-19. It is not clear why some COVID positive people develop complications while others have an uneventful recovery. When a complication happens rather suddenly or close in proximity to a COVID-19 infection, it is known as an acute complication.
What might people be experiencing?
- Blood clot
- Bacterial pheumonia
- Strokes
- Arrhythmias
- Reactive airway disease
Learn more
While COVID-19 is known to primarily target the respiratory system, research has revealed it can also affect your nervous system.
Why blood clots are happening and how to best to manage and monitor the problem in recovery.
Anxiety, isolation, and health complications are just some of the severe side effects facing patients recovering from COVID.
What to expect, questions to ask, and your recovery plan after being discharged.
Many patients recovering from COVID are experiencing post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) — physical, cognitive, and psychological changes that occur after surviving an illness or injury that requires treatment in the ICU.
Being discharged from the hospital after surviving COVID is only the beginning of recovery for many patients.
Resources on Managing your Symptoms
Simple exercises and easy-to-follow advice on how to manage your COVID symptoms on your own.
This informative packet was created to help you manage your symptoms during recovery.
The effects of COVID are not just physical, the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic have huge effects on one’s mental health as well.
Having a chronic lung disease puts you at a higher risk for severe complications from COVID-19.
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Chronic Complications
Overview
A disease complication is the unfavorable result of an underlying medical condition and may result in the development of new diseases or medical conditions. It is not currently known why COVID-19 complications develop. The complications could be due to direct damage from the virus itself or indirectly from the body's inflammatory response. These conditions can also be caused by other risk factors not related to COVID-19. It is not clear why some COVID positive patients develop complications while others have an uneventful recovery. When a complication develops slowly or lasts weeks to months or even years after disease onset, it is known as a chronic complication.
What might people be experiencing?
- Heart failure
- Fibrotic lungs
- Cognitive/neurologic issues/abnormalities
- Chronic fatigue state
- Long COVID
Learn More
Long-haulers are patients still dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on their bodies months after leaving the hospital.
Many people are still suffering from symptoms and lingering effects of COVID months after being diagnosed.
Like other respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 can cause lasting lung damage.
Severe cases of COVID-19 can cause lasting damage to the lungs that may necessitate surgery or even organ transplants.
Reports find previously healthy people infected with COVID-19 not returning to their normal level of health and energy levels in the weeks following the onset of symptoms.
Survivors of COVID-19 report a range of persistent medical issues that include exhaustion, muscle pain, headaches, and more.
People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) suffer from chronic, debilitating fatigue that can leave them unable to take part in normal activities.
Emerging data show that some of the coronavirus’s most potent damage is inflicted on the heart.
Researchers continue to study the cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 on patients.
Though most children who get COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms, some have experience symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome.
Most child cases of COVID are mild, but some kids have longer-term symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal problems.
COVID survivors, who are experiencing lasting symptoms, have created online communities to meet their needs.
Resources on Managing Your Symptoms
Save energy by learning to pace, plan, and prioritize your daily activities.
Simple exercises and easy-to-follow advice on how to manage your COVID symptoms on your own.
This informative packet was created to help you manage your symptoms during recovery.
The effects of COVID are not just physical, the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic have huge effects on one’s mental health as well.
Experiencing breathing difficulties post-COVID? This information hub has a plethora of resources.
Find support and connect with others suffering from heart issues post-COVID.
LOOKING FOR MORE?
Sign up to receive the newest information about chronic complications due to COVID-19.
YOUR COVID-19 QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I seek further care?If you are experiencing any of these COVID-19 symptoms, we recommend seeking immediate medical attention:
- Difficulty breathing. If you have difficulty breathing after routine activities like walking a short distance or you can't recover quickly after climbing up a flight of stairs, seek a medical evaluation.
- Chest pain. People with COVID-19 can experience substernal chest pain or aching under their breastbone. Any chest pain should be evaluated so a provider can determine the specific source of pain or discomfort.
- Changes in mental status. Marked confusion, disorientation, dizziness, extreme sleepiness and inability to waken are emergency symptoms that can occur with reduced oxygen circulations in the body. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek further medical care.
- Blue face or lips. Face or lips turning blue are a sign of hypoxia or a lack of adequate oxygen.
- Elevated fever. If your fever lasts for more than 3 days, your temperature rises above 103°F, or you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing with your fever, contact a doctor for further evaluation.
- I just tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do next?
- Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care, and try to stay isolated from others in your home. Do not visit public areas.
- Take care of yourself. Get rest, stay hydrated, and monitor your symptoms. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
- Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs.
- Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
- Let the people you have been in contact with know that you have tested positive.
- I have COVID symptoms, but my test came back negative. Does that mean I'm safe?A negative antigen test result is not as definite as a positive. There is a higher chance of false negatives with antigen tests. If you have a negative result on an antigen test, your doctor may order a PCR test to confirm the result.
Results may also be affected by the timing of the test. For example, if you are tested on the day you were infected, your test result is almost guaranteed to come back negative, because there are not yet enough viral particles in your nose or saliva to detect. The chance of getting a false negative test result decreases if you are tested a few days after you were infected, or a few days after you develop symptoms. - What's the difference between isolation and quarantine?Isolation is what you do if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive. Isolation means you stay home and away from others (including household members) for the recommended period of time to avoid spreading illness.
Quarantine is what you do if you have been exposed to COVID-19. Quarantine means you stay home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case you are infected and are contagious. Quarantine becomes isolation if you later test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms. - How long should I isolate myself?
- If you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and have symptoms, you can stop your home isolation when:
- You’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication AND
- Your symptoms have gotten better, AND
- At least 10 days have gone by since your symptoms first appeared.
- If you tested positive for COVID-19, but have not had any symptoms, you can stop your home isolation when:
- At least 10 days have gone by since the date of your first positive COVID-19 test, AND
- You have not gotten sick with COVID-19
- If you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and have symptoms, you can stop your home isolation when:
- Do I need to tell my doctor before I go in for evaluation?Before you go to the doctor, call and tell your health care provider you have COVID-19, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. Put on a face covering before you enter the building. These steps will help keep people in the office or waiting room from getting sick.
- Are there any medications I should avoid taking if I have COVID-19?Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that taking any specific medications, like blood pressure medication or ibuprofen, leads to more severe illness from COVID-19. Continue to take medications and to follow the treatment plan as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Any changes to your medications should only be made after talking with your healthcare provider.
- How long does it take for antibodies to show up after being infected with the coronavirus disease?An antibody test may not show if you have a current COVID-19 infection because it can take 1–3 weeks after infection for your body to make antibodies. To see if you are currently infected, you need a viral test.
- I tested positive for antibodies. Does that mean I'm immune?A positive antibody test does not mean you are immune from COVID-19 as it is not known whether having antibodies will protect you from getting infected again. It also does not indicate whether you can infect other people.
- How do I know I have fully recovered from COVID? When is it safe to be around people?You can be around others after:
- You’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication AND
- Your symptoms have gotten better, AND
- At least 10 days have gone by since your symptoms first appeared.
