Symptoms and What To Do If You Feel Sick

The signs of a COVID-19 infection can seem similar to the flu or RSV. Click here to see which symptoms are more common with COVID-19, flu, or RSV.  

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause.  
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours: 

 
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.  Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. 
 
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days. 

Seek health care right away for testing and/or treatment if you believe you may have a respiratory virus (if you feel sick or tested positive for one) and you have risk factors for severe illness. If you have flu or COVID-19, treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick.   
 

Treatment for COVID-19 or Flu

If you have a respiratory illness and you are more likely to get very sick, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. People who are more likely to get very sick include:

• Older adults (ages 50 years and older, with risk increasing with age) 

• People who are unvaccinated or are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations 

• Infants and young children 

• People with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease or heart disease

• People with weakened immune systems

• People with disabilities 

• Pregnant and recently-pregnant people

Act quickly: the medicines to treat COVID-19 need to be prescribed by a healthcare provider or pharmacist and started within 5-7 days of when you first develop symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider right away to find out if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are currently mild.

Learn more about COVID-19 Treatments and Medications and Flu Antiviral Medications.

Free Testing, Telehealth, Treatment for COVID-19 and Flu

Home Test to Treat offers free tests, free telehealth visit and free treatment (if prescribed) for COVID-19 and Flu, all from the comfort of your home. No insurance or appointment needed. Telehealth visits with a healthcare provider are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

• If you are age 18+ and currently positive for COVID-19 or Flu, you can enroll to receive telehealth services and treatment (if prescribed), all at no cost to you.  Enrollment is open to everyone.
• If you are not currently positive for COVID-19 or Flu, you may still enroll if you are an uninsured or underinsured adult (18+), on Medicare, Medicaid, in the VA healthcare system, or receive care from the Indian Health Services. Upon enrollment, when not currently positive, you can receive free tests shipped directly to you and, if you later test positive, you can receive free telehealth care and treatment (if prescribed).

Click here or call 1-800-682-2829 to check your eligibility and sign up (Español).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Last Updated: 3/5/24