You are PRESUMED COVID-19 positive

Quick Summary

  • Because of your known exposure and symptoms of COVID-19, this scenario should be treated as a positive case.
  • Isolate 10 days from the start of symptoms. There are options for a shorter isolation time with professional medical guidance.
  • You should take a COVID-19 test.
  • Isolation ends when a minimum of 10 days (or sooner under medical guidance) have passed AND symptoms have improved AND you are free of fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines.

What does this mean?

Because of your exposure and the presence of symptoms, you most likely have COVID-19. Vaccination status does not change this. The safest thing to do is to isolate for 10 days and acquire a COVID test (PCR preferable) to confirm. There may be an alternative diagnosis which explains your symptoms. Because of the many different scenarios for presumed COVID patients, a doctor visit can help decide the best course of action.

What should I do?

A very reasonable approach would be to isolate until a minimum of 10 days have passed from the date your first symptoms started AND symptoms have improved AND you are free of fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines. We recommend taking a COVID-19 test. If it is positive, click here. If you test negative during your symptoms, continue to isolate for the full 10 days from the start of your symptoms as it may be a false negative.

Additional details

The official recommended guideline is to isolate 10 days from when you started symptoms and complete the 14 day quarantine from last exposure, whichever ends later. This section is very technical but will explain this official guideline in further detail.

Because you have COVID-19 symptoms, a 10 day isolation from the date your symptoms first started should be completed in case you have COVID-19. However, in case these symptoms are not a result of COVID-19, because you have been exposed you must still complete a 14 day quarantine from your last exposure date to watch for new symptoms that could be caused by COVID-19. If your symptoms started in the first 4 days of your 14 day quarantine period, your isolation/quarantine time is completed at the end of the original 14 days. If your symptoms started between days 5 through 14 of your 14 day quarantine period, your isolation/quarantine time is completed at the end of your 10 day isolation, which will take you beyond the original 14 day quarantine time. A positive COVID-19 test can simplify these timelines to just a 10 day isolation from the date your symptoms first starting. Any isolation/quarantine time should not end until your symptoms have improved and you are free of fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Isolation – “As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask. Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.” -CDC

Quarantine – “Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.” -CDC

What is my treatment plan?

Treatment plans will be similar to cold/flu virus infections.

Additional details

Fever – Fever is a natural part of fighting a virus and does not need to be reduced unless there is discomfort. Your motto should be “treat the child, not the fever.” You can take ibuprofen (≥6 months old) and/or Tylenol as needed for discomfort. Call if fever reaches ≥106.
Cough/congestion – Use suction/saline, cold mist humidifier, sit in a steamy room, and keep head elevated whenever possible for cough and congestion. You can also give warm water with honey and/or lemon to treat coughs for children older than 1 year of age. We do not recommend the use of cough and congestion medicines.
Vomit/diarrhea – Vomiting may be monitored for up to 48 hours as long as there is no blood or bile present. Make sure that you are staying hydrated and perform the rehydration cycle for excessive vomiting. Diarrhea can be monitored for up to 2 weeks as long as there is no blood. Make sure you are mindful of preventing diaper rash if there is excessive diarrhea.
Seek medical attention if there is a fever ≥101 for ≥3 days (or any fever ≥100.4 in children less than 3 months old), respiratory distress, dehydration symptoms, or lethargy.

Do I need to schedule an appointment?

In most cases, you may be able to monitor and treat at home. Seek medical attention if there is a fever ≥101 for ≥3 days (or any fever ≥100.4 in children less than 3 months old), respiratory distress, dehydration symptoms, or lethargy.

You may also need an appointment:

  • if your school is requiring a note (please see the “How do I get a Return to School note?” section below)
  • if you would like to see if you qualify for a shorter isolation period (please see the “Can my isolation end sooner?” section below).

Scheduling an appointment

If an appointment at your Orlando location is needed, because you are presumed COVID-19 positive we have modified visit options for the safety of you, our other patients, and our staff.

Telemedicine visits – These visits occur through a video chat. You can call our front desk staff to schedule this appointment.
Car visits – If the doctor thinks that an in-person visit is warranted, we may have you park in front of our building and the doctor will come out to you. Call and speak to our medical assistant staff to see if the doctor will approve this type of visit.
End-of-day visits – If the doctor thinks that an in-person visit in the office is warranted, we may have you wait in the hallway at the end of our business hours and call you in directly to the closest room available. Call and speak to our medical assistant staff to see if the doctor will approve this type of visit.

Should I test?

We recommend taking a COVID-19 test. If it is positive, click here for COVID-19 positive isolation guidelines. If you test negative during your symptoms, continue to isolate for the full 10 days from start date of symptoms. A negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test should be verified with a PCR test.

Can my isolation end sooner?

Isolation may end sooner with professional medical guidance. If you need to speak with a doctor, contact your Orlando location for an appointment (see the “Scheduling an appointment” section above).

What about my family?

For those who are living with someone in isolation for suspected COVID-19, you are a primary high risk exposure (click here to use our COVID-19 Self-Assessment for specific family member exposure guidelines and recommendations).

When am I cleared?

At the end of the 10 day isolation or 14 day quarantine (or sooner under medical guidance) AND symptoms have improved AND you are free of fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

How do I get a Return to School note?

Ask your school for their specific return requirements. If you require a school note, you will need to schedule an appointment to determine the proper return guidelines (please see “Scheduling an appointment” section above).

COVID-19 FAQ

This COVID-19 Self-Assessment does not replace professional medical advice, but can guide you on quarantining and isolation guidelines. Parents should help answer for children. Each member of the family can take this Self-Assessment to determine their specific quarantine/isolation guidelines. You may retake this self-evaluation at anytime during your quarantine if circumstances change.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or go to a pediatric emergency room.

By clicking the link below, you are acknowledging that this tool is used for guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice.