CS 316120-A 04/02/2020

cdc.gov/coronavirus

Steps to help prevent 

the spread of COVID-19 

if you are sick

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW: If you are sick with 

COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow 

the steps below to help protect other people in your 

home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care 

• Stay home: Most people with COVID-19 

have mild illness and are able to recover at 

home without medical care. Do not leave 

your home, except to get medical care. Do 

not visit public areas.

• 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, or if you think it is an emergency.

• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, 

ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people in your 

home, this is known as home isolation

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, 

stay away from others. You should stay in 

a specific “sick room” if possible, and away 

from other people in your home. 

Use a separate bathroom, if available.

ɞ See COVID-19 and Animals is you have questions about 

pets. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.

html#COVID19animals

Call ahead before visiting your doctor 

• Call ahead: Many medical visits for routine 

care are being postponed or done by 

phone or telemedicine.

• If you have a medical appointment that cannot be 

postponed, call your doctor’s office, and tell them you have 

or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect 

themselves and other patients.

If you are sick wear a facemask in the 

following situations, if available.

• If you are sick: You should wear a facemask, if 

available, when you are around other people 

(including before you enter a healthcare 

provider’s office).

• If you are caring for others: If the person who is sick is not able 

to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble 

breathing), then as their caregiver, you should wear a 

facemask when in the same room with them. Visitors, other 

than caregivers, are not recommended.

Note: During a public health emergency, facemasks may be 

reserved for healthcare workers. You may need to improvise a 

facemask using a scarf or bandana.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

• Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a 

tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.

• Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and 

water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not 

available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand 

sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands often

• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with 

soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

This is especially important after blowing 

your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to 

the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an 

alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, 

covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them 

together until they feel dry.

• Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option, 

especially if hands are visibly dirty.

• Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth 

with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items

• Do not share: Do not share dishes, drinking 

glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or 

bedding with other people in your home.

• Wash thoroughly after use: After using these 

items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water or put 

in the dishwasher.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

Clean high-touch surfaces in your isolation 

area (“sick room” and bathroom) every day; 

let a caregiver clean and disinfect high-touch 

surfaces in other areas of the home.

• Clean and disinfect: Routinely clean high-touch surfaces in 

your “sick room” and bathroom. Let someone else clean 

and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but not your 

bedroom and bathroom.

ɞ If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and 

disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they 

should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other 

person should wear a mask and wait as long as possible 

after the sick person has used the bathroom.

• High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, 

counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, 

keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

• Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids 

on them.

• Household cleaners and disinfectants: Clean the area or item 

with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. 

Then, use a household disinfectant.

ɞ Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to 

ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many 

products recommend keeping the surface wet for 

several minutes to ensure germs are killed. Many also 

recommend precautions such as wearing gloves and 

making sure you have good ventilation during use of 

the product.

ɞ Most EPA-registered household disinfectants should 

be effective. A full list of disinfectants can be found 

hereexternal icon.

Monitor your symptoms

• Common symptoms of COVID-19 include 

fever and cough. Trouble breathing is a 

more serious symptom that means you 

should get medical attention.

• If you are having trouble breathing, seek medical attention, 

but call first.

ɞ Call your doctor or emergency room before going in 

and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what 

to do.

• Wear a facemask: If available, put on a facemask before you 

enter the building. If you can’t put on a facemask, cover 

your coughs and sneezes. Try to stay at least 6 feet away 

from other people. This will help protect the people in the 

office or waiting room.

• Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and 

local health department: Your local health authorities 

will give instructions on checking your symptoms and 

reporting information.

How to discontinue home isolation

• People with COVID-19 who have stayed home 

(home isolated) can stop home isolation 

under the following conditions:

ɞ If you will not have a test to determine if 

you are still contagious, you can leave home after these 

three things have happened:

§ You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is 

three full days of no fever without the use medicine 

that reduces fevers)

AND

§ other symptoms have improved (for example, when 

your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

§ at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms 

first appeared

ɞ If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, 

you can leave home after these three things have 

happened:

§ You no longer have a fever (without the use 

medicine that reduces fevers)

AND

§ other symptoms have improved (for example, when 

your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

§ you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours 

apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.

In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local 

health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be 

made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state 

and local health departments. Local decisions depend on local 

circumstances.

More information is available https://www.cdc.gov/

coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html.

Additional information for healthcare providers: Interim 

Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations 

for Persons Under Investigation for 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: If you have a 

medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the operator 

that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, 

put on a facemask before medical help arrives.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get 

medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include*:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion or inability to arouse

• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical 

provider for any other symptoms that are severe or 

concerning.