I have symptoms that I think might be COVID-19. Do I need a test?
If you have symptoms, you should take a COVID test. Home-based antigen testing is increasingly the most convenient way to test for COVID-19.
Our stand-alone COVID-19 testing sites closed on December 16, 2022. Self-scheduling through Patient Gateway is no longer available. If you are having symptoms and are concerned about COVID, you can take a home antigen test, find a testing site in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, or contact your care team.
Should I isolate or quarantine?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine. Read more from the CDC.
Guidance around the need for quarantine and testing after an exposure is changing. See the CDC, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, or your state website for the most up-to-date guidance.
Note that most Massachusetts public schools are following the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance. However, some schools may have different guidelines. Please call your child’s school to find out what their specific policy is on quarantining if your child has been exposed.
Am I at high risk for severe COVID-19?
High-risk conditions for severe COVID-19 include undergoing treatment for cancer, currently taking medications for transplant, or immunosuppressant medications for other conditions. Other high-risk conditions, including having chronic lung, kidney, or liver disease; diabetes; HIV; obesity; and age 65 years or older, may pre-dispose you to worse symptoms from COVID-19 or influenza. The CDC has more information.
I tested positive. I’m not at high risk for severe disease. I’m worried about my COVID-19 symptoms. What should I do?
Mild symptoms: Stay home and isolate
Mild symptoms are a temperature below 100 degrees (below 102.4 degrees for children older than 3 months), aches and pains, or a mild cough. If you have these symptoms, stay at home and isolate. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and monitor your symptoms. Hopefully, you will start feeling better within a few days. You do not need to contact your doctor to let them know you have COVID.
Moderate symptoms: Call your primary care office
If you have moderate symptoms like a fever higher than 100.4 degrees, significant coughing, or shortness of breath, contact your primary care provider’s office.
For children ages 3 months and older who are not immunocompromised, a high fever is greater than 102.4 degrees. If your child has a fever, significant coughing or shortness of breath, you also should call their primary care provider’s office. You should also call if they are sleepier, if they have not gone to the bathroom in more than 10 hours (if 3 years or older) or more than 8 hours (if younger than 3 years old). Your child’s doctor can recommend next steps.
If you don’t have a primary care provider or you have symptoms that need immediate attention, try our Urgent Care options:
- Schedule an appointment with Mass General Brigham Virtual Urgent Care.
Mass General Brigham offers convenient, high-quality virtual urgent care services if you an established Mass General Brigham patient in Massachusetts. If you have concerns about COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms, you can virtually and securely connect to a provider. Please note: Virtual Urgent Care is only for patients ages 3 and older.
- Visit one of our in-person Urgent Care centers.
Severe symptoms: Emergency
Go to the Emergency Department if you have severe symptoms such as:
- Severe trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or dizziness
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
If you cannot get to the emergency department, call 9-1-1.
I tested positive and I’m at high risk for severe disease. I am worried about my COVID-19 symptoms. What should I do?
If you are at high risk for severe disease, then you should either contact your doctor’s office to ask about COVID-19 treatment or utilize free telehealth appointments available through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Appointments are available between 8 am and 10 pm.
If you live in another state, including New Hampshire, you can use the national therapeutics locator to find locations.
Updated December 16, 2022