COVID-19: Care Instructions, Recommendations, & Resources

TRANSMISSION

  • The virus is spread from person-to-person ; the virus may also be spread from people to pets

  • Close contact needs to occur with a contagious individual

  • Respiratory droplets produced by coughs or sneezes carry the virus

  • Symptoms may appear from about 2 to 14 days after a known exposure

RISK FACTORS FOR EXPOSURE

  • Travel to high risk affected areas

  • Close contact with a sick individual with COVID-19 symptoms, or with a person diagnosed with COVID-19

  • Spending time indoors with large groups of people, especially if they are unmasked or unvaccinated

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

  • The symptoms for this virus may look like a cold or flu, and it may be hard to distinguish

    • With continued variants of the virus, the symptoms experienced have had some shifts

  • If you are unsure about your symptoms, you can check them on the CDC website or call our office

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask as recommended, and avoiding exposure are the best way to prevent illness

  • Certain populations are at higher risk of more severe illness - especially infants and the elderly. Some chronic health conditions may put you at risk as well

  • People with mild illness do not usually need to be seen in the office. By staying home with mild symptoms you reduce the risk of spreading the virus. We are happy to take your call to review ways your family can recover at home from the virus.

    • We recommend symptomatic relief as needed - including rest, fever/pain reducers, and plenty of fluids

      • Please use fever/pain reducers only as recommended, never give a child Aspirin

    • The isolation and quarantine guidelines are ever evolving, please check your local health department’s website or the CDC for most up to date recommendations

  • Urgent assessment may be needed in people exhibiting severe symptoms, which may include symptoms like:

    • Difficulty breathing, including breathing harder or faster

    • Shortness of breath

    • Signs of dehydration

    • Lethargy

    • High fevers, especially if it is not well controlled with medications, or fevers that last for longer than expected

BEST PRACTICES

  • Get vaccinated and boosted - check our Facebook page for updates on vaccine clinic dates

    • We are hopeful that our youngest patients will be eligible for vaccines by Spring 2022!

  • Mask up

    • Wearing a well fitted mask that covers your nose and mouth, regardless of vaccination status, can help keep you and your family safe

    • The CDC recommends all people over the age of 2-years old, who have not complete their primary vaccine series, wear a mask in all indoor public spaces

    • Everyone 2 years of age and older, regardless of vaccine status, needs to wear a mask indoors in all health care facilities, including at Complete Pediatrics

  • Avoid large gatherings or crowded indoor spaces, especially when there are high virus transmission rates

  • Stay home!

    • If you are sick or have symptoms that might be COVID-19 stay home and get tested

      • If you test positive for COVID-19 on a home test this is accurate and valid - stay home, you do not need a conformation test in the office

      • Regardless of test, if you are positive you need to isolate. The current guidelines for isolation are:

        • Asymptomatic or mild symptoms: minimum of 5 days then if your symptoms are improving/resolved, you may leave your house and wear a well fitted mask for an additional 5 days

        • Moderate symptoms or symptoms for longer than 5 days: isolate for 10

        • Individuals who are unable to wear a well fitted mask, regardless of symptom status, need. to isolate for 10 days

    • If you have had close contact with someone who has a known COVID-19 infection, follow the recommended CDC guidelines and get tested when appropriate

      • The current recommendations are to get tested 5 to 7 days after known exposure if you remain asymptomatic

      • If you become symptomatic you should get tested earlier

      • After a known exposure it is important to wear a mask indoors at all times for 14 days after exposure, even if your test returns negative

  • Practice Good Hand Hygiene

    • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water

    • Follow proper hand-washing technique:

      • Wet your hands

      • Lather with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds

      • Rinse under running water and dry with a clean towel

    • Use hand sanitizer when you cannot use soap and water

      • Put small amount of gel or foam on your palm then rub thoroughly on all hand surfaces until dry (about 20 seconds)

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

RESOURCES

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