How to Care for Someone Sick at Home

Based on CDC,

Provide support

Help cover basic needs

Help the person who is sick follow their doctor’s instructions for care and medicine.

For most people, symptoms last a few days, and people usually feel better after a week.

See if over-the-counter medicines for fever help the person feel better.

Make sure the person who is sick drinks a lot of fluids and rests.

Help them with grocery shopping, filling prescriptions, and getting other items they may need. Consider having the items delivered through a delivery service, if possible.

Take care of their pet(s), and limit contact between the person who is sick and their pet(s) when possible.

Watch for warning signs

  • Have their doctor’s phone number on hand.
  • Use CDC’s self-checker tool to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.
  • Call their doctor if the person keeps getting sicker. For medical emergencies, call 911 and tell the dispatcher that the person has or might have COVID-19.

When to seek emergency medical attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

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

Based on CDC,

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.
  • Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.

If some people may need emergency medical attention with these signs,
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility.

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Who should get COVID-19 test?

Based on CDC,

  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, localexternal icon or state ​health department.

Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first.

Where can I find COVID-19 test locations?

Do I Need a COVID-19 Test?

Illinois Lake County COVID-19 Testing Site Locator

Walgreens Contactless COVID-19 Testing for Ages 3+

Testing Site Locations in Illinois

Illinois COVID-19 Testing Sites

COVID–19: Testing | DuPage County Health, IL

Illinois Cook County COVID-19 Test Sites

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first.
  • There are 3 type tests.
  • Rapid antigen Test is popular and hard to schedule it. You may want to drive-through test. The Drive-through may take a long waiting time. Alternatively, you may call your doctor and you may get
    Rapid antigen Test in a clinic.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 while the test is negative?

Based on CDC, you should self-isolate for at least 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.

You do not need a follow-up negative test to return to work or school, as long as It has been at least at least 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first.

What should I do if one of my family members has COVID-19

Yes, based om CDC, if you have been in close contact (less than 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection and do not have symptoms.​

  • You need a test.
  • A single negative test does not mean you will remain negative at any time point after that test.
    • Even if you have a negative test, you should still self-isolate for 14 days.
  • If you cannot self-isolate, or you are a critical infrastructure worker that must work, wear a mask, physically distance, avoid crowds and indoor crowded places, wash your hands frequently, and monitor yourself for symptoms.
  • If you live with a person at increased risk of severe illness (for example an elderly person or other individuals with underlying medical conditions), take special precautions in the home to protect that individual according to CDC guidelines.
  • Healthcare providers in close contact of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection while using recommended personal protective equipment, do not need to be tested