19 CORONAVIRUS

DISEASE

C V DI

CS 314937-D 02/24/2020

For more information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19

What to do if you are sick with

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow 

the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. 

Stay home except to get medical care 

You should restrict activities outside your home, except for 

getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. 

Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in

your home

People: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room 

and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use 

a separate bathroom, if available.

Animals: Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. See 

COVID-19 and Animals for more information.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor 

If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider 

and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will 

help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other 

people from getting infected or exposed.

Wear a facemask

You should wear a facemask when you are around other people 

(e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter 

a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a 

facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), 

then people who live with you should not stay in the same room 

with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter

your room.

Cover your coughs and sneezes 

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or 

sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately 

wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 

or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that 

contains at least 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your 

hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and 

water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

Avoid sharing personal household items 

You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating 

utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in 

your home. After using these items, they should be washed 

thoroughly with soap and water. 

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often 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, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them 

together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used 

preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your 

eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day

High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, 

bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and 

bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, 

stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray 

or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain 

instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product 

including precautions you should take when applying the 

product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good 

ventilation during use of the product.

Monitor your symptoms

Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., 

difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call your healthcare 

provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated 

for, COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. 

These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep 

other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected

or exposed. 

Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health 

department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or 

facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided 

by their local health department or occupational health 

professionals, as appropriate. 

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify 

the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated 

for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency 

medical services arrive.

Discontinuing home isolation

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home 

isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission 

to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home 

isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, 

in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local 

health departments.