Patient education: COVID-19 – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED because you had symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"). You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.

The virus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. This usually happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks near other people. A person can be infected, and spread the virus to others, even without having any symptoms.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Take all your medicines as instructed, if the doctor gave you any.

●Drink lots of water, juice, or broth to replace fluids lost from a fever.

●You can take acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to help with fever. You can also try ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).

●Some people find that it helps to use a cool mist humidifier if the air in the home is dry.

●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.

●Avoid alcohol.

●Lower your chance of passing the infection to others:

•Stay home while you are feeling sick or have a fever.

•At home, try to limit close contact with other people. You can wear a face mask to help protect others.

•Wash your hands often.

•Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

•Do not go to work or school until your symptoms are improving and your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without taking medicine such as acetaminophen.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

•You are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.

•You need to sit upright at all times to breathe, or you cannot lie down.

•You are very confused or cannot stay awake.

•Your lips or skin turn blue.

•You think you might be having a medical emergency. Some examples are:

-Severe chest pain

-Not speaking or moving normally

●Return to the ED if:

•You have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Have new shortness of breath

●Become weak or dizzy

●Have very dark urine, or do not urinate for more than 8 hours

●Have new or worsening COVID symptoms, like:

•Fever

•Cough

•Feeling very tired

•Shaking chills

•Headache

•Trouble swallowing

•Vomiting

•Diarrhea

•Reddish-purple spots on your fingers or toes

●Have other new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: COVID-19 overview (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 vaccines (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 tests (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 and pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 and children (The Basics)
Patient education: Long COVID (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of spreading infection (The Basics)