Patient education: COVID-19 in adults – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is COVID-19? — COVID-19 stands for "coronavirus disease 2019." It is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2.

The virus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. This usually happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks near other people. A person can be infected, and spread the virus to others, even without having any symptoms.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You can also:

●Follow all instructions for taking your medicines, if your doctor prescribed any.

●Drink lots of water, juice, or broth to replace fluids lost from a fever.

●Take acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to help reduce a fever. If this does not help, you can try medicines like ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).

●Rest on your belly, if that is comfortable for you. This might make it easier to breathe.

●Use a cool mist humidifier. This might make it easier to breathe.

●Lower the chance of passing the infection to others:

•Stay home while you recover. Only go out if you need to get medical care.

•At home, try to stay in a separate room, away from other people and animals. This is called "self-isolation." Use a separate bathroom if possible.

•Wear a mask if you are around other people. If other people have to be in the same room or vehicle with you, they should wear a mask, too.

•Wash your hands often (figure 1).

•Avoid sharing personal items with other people.

•Do not make food for others.

•Continue to self-isolate until your doctor or nurse tells you that it's OK to return to your normal activities. When you can stop self-isolation depends on how long it has been since you had symptoms and, in some cases, whether you have had a negative test (showing that the virus is no longer in your body).

If you have not already been vaccinated, consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you have recovered. Being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You are having so much trouble breathing that you cannot speak a full sentence.

●You are very confused or cannot stay awake.

●Your lips or skin start to turn blue.

●You think that you might be having a medical emergency – Examples include severe chest pain, feeling extremely weak or like you might pass out, or losing control of your body (like being unable to speak normally or move your arm or leg).

Call your doctor if:

●You develop new shortness of breath, or your breathing gets worse (but you can still talk in full sentences).

●You become weak or dizzy.

●You have very dark urine or do not urinate for more than 8 hours.

●You have new or worsening symptoms that concern you – COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough, feeling very tired, shaking, chills, headache, and trouble swallowing. They can also include digestive problems like vomiting or diarrhea.

More on this topic

Patient education: COVID-19 overview (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 tests (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 vaccines (The Basics)
Patient education: Long COVID (The Basics)