If you're worried about having COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronaivus, here's the topline guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "If you have a fever or cough, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. Keep track of your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get medical attention right away."
If you think you are developing symptoms associated with COVID-19 and have reason to believe you have been exposed to the virus, the CDC recommends calling your doctor. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath and can appear up to two weeks after exposure.
Be prepared to discuss your symptoms and explain when and how you think you have been exposed, whether through traveling or through contact with another person known to be infected. It's important to call ahead and not just show up at your doctor's office, the CDC said, to help prevent others from potentially being exposed.
Your doctor will then work with health authorities to determine if a COVID-19 test is warranted. There are a limited number of test kits available, so not all who display symptoms can be tested.
In addition, the CDC recommends that those who are confirmed to be infected or suspect that they could be follow these precautions in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
If you have COVID-19 and have been self-isolating, the CDC says you can stop self-isolating under the following conditions:
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This story was originally published on March 5, 2020, and has been updated to reflect changing guidance from health authorities.