What should I do if I get sick or someone in my household gets sick?

Most people who get COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. CDC has directions for people who are recovering at home and their caregivers, including:

Stay home except to get medical care.

  • 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. Do not visit public areas. Do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares. Do not go to crowded places or participate in public activities.
  • Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines to help you feel better.
  • Monitor your symptoms.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you leave your home to get medical care.
  • Follow care instructions from your health care provider. 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.

Separate yourself from other people.

  • Avoid contact with others in your home. Household members should stay in another room or be separated from you as much as possible. Household members should use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if available. If you must be around another person, wear a mask or face covering.
  • Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home. Wash these items thoroughly after you use them.
  • Do not allow visitors.
  • Avoid contact with pets and other animals. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets, and wear a mask or face covering.
  • Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone. 

Practice proper hygiene.

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Throw away used tissues in a lined trash can.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 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.

Clean and disinfect often.

  • Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with a household spray or wipes including phones, counters, remote controls, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, and light switches.
  • Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
  • Clean and disinfect your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. 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 disposable gloves prior to cleaning. They should wait as long as possible after the person who is sick has used the bathroom before coming in to clean and use the bathroom.

Show All Answers

1. South Dakota Department of Health FAQ Guide
2. What is COVID-19?
3. How does COVID-19 spread?
4. What are the symptoms?
5. When do I seek medical evaluation and advice?
6. How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
7. How is COVID-19 treated?
8. Why is the mask / face covering mandate in place?
9. Am I required to wear a mask / face covering?
10. Who should get tested for COVID-19?
11. How do I get a test for COVID-19?
12. Should I get tested for COVID-19?
13. What is a quarantine and why is it used?
14. Is quarantine different from isolation?
15. How does self-quarantine work?
16. Can people in self-quarantine still have contact with their household members?
17. What should I do if I get sick or someone in my household gets sick?
18. When should I seek emergency medical attention?
19. What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?
20. How can I prepare for an outbreak?
21. How can I prepare for COVID-19 at work?
22. How can I support local businesses during this time?
23. What mental health resources are available to help cope with COVID-19?