Recommended Recovery If You Have Symptoms of a Respiratory Virus

Contact: Joe VanDerBos
September 19, 2024

If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus like COVID-19, influenza, or a cold, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that you may go back to your normal activities when both of the following are true for at least 24 hours:

  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

Symptoms may include chest discomfort, chills, cough, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, or wheezing. When you go back to normal activities, take added precautions over the next five days: take steps for cleaner air, be diligent about hygiene, and use masks. The Sindecuse Health Center page on COVID-19 contains links to prevention strategies. If symptoms do not improve after a few days, please call the health center to schedule an appoint at (269) 387-3287.