Isolation and Quarantine Guidance/Managing COVID Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from zero symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. 

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status.  Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. 

Visit the CDC website for more information.

Possible symptoms may include:

  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever/chills

Feeling Sick?

If you are experiencing symptoms, consider the following options:

  1. Get tested for COVID-19 (click link for testing guidelines with and without symptoms)
  2. If you have already tested positive for COVID-19, see below for updated (3/1/24) recommendations from the CDC
  3. Take care of yourself! To self-treat your COVID-19 symptoms at home, focus on:
Getting plenty of rest. While fighting a new virus, expect your body to be busy. By giving yourself plenty of time to rest, you'll help provide your body with the energy it needs to get the job done.

Drinking plenty of water. Making sure you're adequately hydrated can help alleviate several symptoms. Fevers are usually accompanied by increased sweating, and drinking lots of water can help replenish the extra water you're losing — preventing dehydration. If you have a dry cough, a teaspoon of honey in hot water can help soothe your throat. If you have congestion, a warm, non-caffeinated beverage or warm shower can help loosen mucus. In addition, ensuring you stay well-hydrated can aid your immune system as it fights off the virus.

Using over-the-counter medications when necessary. If you have a high fever, you can take a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, to help bring it down. If you have body aches, a sore throat or cough, a pain reliever can help lessen the discomfort these symptoms can bring. You may also consider taking a nasal decongestant for a stuffy nose and an expectorant for chest congestion. Just be sure to follow the dosage recommendations on the bottles and don't take any medications that may conflict with any other medications you're taking or any health conditions you may have. 

There are treatments available. COVID-19 therapeutic treatments, including an FDA-approved antiviral IV therapy and oral antivirals, can help lower the amount of virus in your body, protecting you from severe symptoms.

The Massachusetts telehealth service for COVID-19 treatment can now be accessed by a telephone number (833-273-6330) OR this website. The telehealth service can tell you if the COVID-19 pill is right for you, and the pills can be sent to your pharmacy or to your home for free.  Click HERE for more information. Call your health care provider to discuss treatment options. 

And, remember, isolating means not leaving your home. If you need medications or other supplies to help you feel more comfortable, use a non-contact delivery service or ask a loved one or friend to deliver anything you may need to your doorstep.

The symptoms that come along with a mild to moderate case of COVID-19 can last anywhere from a few days to a week or more — with most people recovering from symptoms within two weeks. In the meantime, and in addition to the steps listed above, make sure you're monitoring your symptom severity and know when worsening symptoms mean you need medical care.


In most cases, if you're vaccinated and have no other health issues, in most instances COVID-19 illnesses can be managed at home. Contact your personal health care provider with specific concerns.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID 19:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

What should you do if you test positive for COVID-19?

1. Take care of yourself! 

2. Check with your health care provider for possible treatments. If you don't have a health care provider, call the MDPH Telehealth line. Free telehealth consultations are available for eligible individuals 18 or older who are currently living in Massachusetts and insurance is not required. If you’re eligible, you’ll be connected with a clinician for a phone or video consultation within 30 minutes. This service is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese (simplified), Tagalog, Russian, Somali, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Marshallese. 

This service is not for medical emergencies or for individuals who are pregnant. If you are experiencing a medical emergency like having trouble breathing, please call 911. 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-telehealth-for-covid-19-treatment-with-paxlovid


3. Isolation Guidelines-

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has updated its guidance in keeping with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for respiratory viruses. COVID-19 guidance is now incorporated within the general guidance for common respiratory illnesses. 

The Wellesley Board of Health supports these new guidelines, recognizing that all respiratory viruses pose a danger to medically vulnerable people, and that common sense precautions can be protective. With widespread immunity and lower rates of hospitalization and death, there is no longer a need to isolate for 5 days after a positive test for COVID-19. However, if you have risk factors for severe COVID-19 and would benefit from treatment (such as Paxlovid), you should test for COVID-19 (using a home test or lab-based test). Home tests can take several days to become positive after symptom onset. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has comprehensive webpages about COVID-19 with information, guidance, and an interactive dashboard with data from the Commonwealth.

The Wellesley Board of Health supports the Wellesley Public Schools’ adoption of new COVID-19 guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Recognizing widespread community immunity to the virus and the much lower risk of hospitalization and death from the virus, it is time to approach COVID-19 the same way other respiratory viruses are handled. Students and staff with respiratory symptoms should stay home until they have had no fever (without fever-lowering medication) for at least 24 hours, and until they are feeling well enough to function normally at school or work. Best practices to prevent spread of infection to others when you have respiratory symptoms include hand hygiene and mask wearing.