A sniffle. An upset stomach. A headache. A low-grade fever. Minor symptoms you’d normally ignore now speed your pulse. Is it Covid-19? Should I isolate myself? Am I going to get really sick?
In a pandemic, the equation changes for when to report symptoms to your loved ones, contacts, and healthcare team.
Expect anxiety. You are not alarmist if you pay attention to—and feel frightened by—symptoms that might indicate infection with Covid-19. Your reaction reflects wisdom and realism.
Respond responsibly. If symptoms are consistent with Covid-19, assume you have it. Better to be safe than sorry. Take proper precautions to protect others until you see how your symptoms play out. Either you do or you don’t have Covid-19. Choosing to deny or hide the possibility from others (or yourself) won’t change whether you do. That only increases the risk of harm to others if it turns out you are infected. Use your knowledge of the potential for devastating disease to motivate you to take extra precautions until you know for sure that you don’t.
Stay calm. Remind yourself that most people who develop mild symptoms due to Covid-19 do not get ill enough to require hospitalization, and most recover completely. By taking proper precautions until you find out if it’s Covid-19, you may at first feel more anxious because doing so makes the possibility feel more real. That said, taking proper action can also decrease anxiety because you are regaining some control.
Healthy Survivors do the right thing, even if difficult to do.
We welcome your comments! SEE COMMENTS UNDER COMMENT BOX (below)
Subscribe here for e-notifications of new posts. Privacy Policy: We collect only your name and email address—and we do not share with anyone. You may unsubscribe easily at any time. For archives of older posts, click here