COVID-19 Testing & Self-care

Symptoms

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.

• Symptoms can include fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, trouble breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. 
• According to the CDC, illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure.
• Persons can be infected with COVID-19 and pose a risk to others without noticing any symptoms.
• Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Seek care early.

What to Do if You are Sick

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, follow these instructions to self-monitor illness and to inform close contacts when becoming ill.

• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor or an urgent care center to discuss.
  • Find a COVID-19 Testing location using the Virginia Department of Health Locator Map.
  • Note: Loudoun County Health Department clinics do not provide testing or evaluate ill individuals. 
• Stay home.  Avoid contact with others, do not share personal items, and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
• Monitor your health. Call 911 if you develop trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when around other people.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces every day. 
• Inform close contacts. 

• Learn more from the Virginia Department of Health. 

What to Do if You Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

• Learn more about what to do if you were exposed to COVID-19 on the CDC's website.
• Learn more about isolation and quarantine from the CDC and what to do if you think you were exposed to COVID-19 from the Virginia Department of Health.