If You Have COVID-19

OLDER ADULTS:
Isolate
If you have COVID-19, it is important to isolate and get treatment as quickly as possible. If you have COVID-19, you can spread it to others, even if you do not have symptoms.
If you have tested positive (even without symptoms), follow CDC’s isolation recommendations. These recommendations include:
- Staying home and away from others for at least 5 days (possibly more, depending on how the virus affects you).
- Wearing a high-quality mask when indoors around others for a period of time.
Get Treatment
Some vaccinated people, especially those aged 65 years or older or who have other risk factors for severe disease, may benefit from treatment if they get COVID-19.
Effective treatments are now widely available and free, and you may be eligible.
- Contact your healthcare provider, health department, or community health center to learn about treatment options.
- Don’t delay! Treatment must be started within a few days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.
- If you don’t have timely access to a healthcare provider, check if a Test to Treat location is in your community. You can get tested, receive a prescription from a healthcare provider (either onsite or by telehealth), and have it filled all at one location.
You can learn more about COVID-19 treatments and medications.
More Information
- People with Certain Medical Conditions
- Factors That Affect Your Risk of Getting Very Sick from COVID-19
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
- COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator
- Eldercare Locator or call 1-800-677-1116. A nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources from the U.S. Administration on Aging.