Respiratory symptoms for COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses can range from:
- Non-urgent symptoms and you don’t have any underlying health risk factors are mild symptoms that are typically well handled without a health care visit
- Non-urgent symptoms but have underlying health risk factors may be mild but because of underlying health concerns, you should seek care
- Urgent symptoms are mild-to-moderate symptoms that require you to seek a visit with a health care provider
- Emergent symptoms are severe symptoms that require emergency care in a quick timeframe
What risk factors put me at risk for serious illness?
- 65 years old and above
- Lung disease
- Cancer
- Heart failure
- History of stroke
- Kidney Disease
- Liver disease
- Diabetes
- Receiving dialysis
- Pregnant
- Immunocompromised
- Conditions that cause you to be immunocompromised include: chemotherapy, organ transplant, sickle cell disease, HIV, chronic steroids, etc. If you are unsure if you are immunocompromised, please call your clinic to speak to a nurse.
Non-urgent Symptoms
- Chills
- Cough
- Coughing phlegm (clear)
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
What action you should take:
Get a COVID-19 test if you are able
- WI Department of Health Services Testing Locations
- Madison and Dane County Public Health Testing Sites
If you are not able to get a COVID-19 test due to wait time, you should assume you have COVID-19 and follow the CDC Quarantine & Isolation guidelines.
If you are able to be tested, please follow the CDC Quarantine & Isolation guidelines until you receive your results.
Non-urgent Symptoms but Have Health Risk Factors
- Chills
- Cough
- Coughing phlegm (clear)
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
What action should you take:
- Call your clinic to speak directly to a nurse
- Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider (a video visit is appropriate)
- If it is after clinic hours, visit an Urgent Care site
Urgent Symptoms
- Mild weakness/dizziness
- Feel dehydrated/difficulty eating or drinking
- Moderate to severe productive cough
- Coughing up colored mucous
- Coughing up blood
- Fever greater than 103° F (39.4°C)
- Fever greater than 101° F (38.3°C) and age 65 & older
- Pulse oximeter reading between 93% and 94%
What action should you take:
- Call your clinic now to speak directly to a nurse
- Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider within 12 hours
- If after clinic hours, visit an Urgent Care site
Emergent Symptoms
- Chest pain or pressure
- Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
- New confusion
- Blue/gray lips, skin and/or nail beds
- Fever greater than 104° F (40°C)
- Extreme fatigue/weakness
- Severe dizziness
- New Rapid/irregular heart rate
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pulse oximeter reading less than 93%
- Clammy/sweaty skin (in addition to one or more other symptoms on this list)
What action should you take:
Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Do NOT drive yourself to the emergency department. Please get a ride from a family member or friend.
What can you do at home to help with your symptoms?
- Get plenty of rest; sleep when you are tired
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated (at least 8 cups of fluid daily for adults). If you have fluid restriction, please contact your healthcare provider for instructions.
- Move/walk (maintaining physical distancing) even if for short distances to keep your body moving
- Take deep breaths at least every hour while awake (Breathe in through your nose deeply, hold for 5 seconds and exhale through your nose). Do this 5 times in a row. Do deep breathing in room where you are isolated from others.
- You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if over 6 months old, or naproxen (Aleve) if over age of 12 if you need to relieve a fever and body aches. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Talk to a pharmacist.
- Adults can take over the counter “common cold” remedies. Talk to a pharmacist.
- If you have any high-risk medical condition listed above, please contact your healthcare provider for homecare instructions and approved over the counter medications that are safe for you.