COVID Information

 Jump down to: Vaccines & Boosters, Virus, Variants, Protection, Testing, Treatments

Vaccines & Boosters

You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC.

Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose.

Know what being up to date on COVID-19 vaccines means for you. To learn more, click here.

CLICK HERE to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

Virus

  • COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a type of coronavirus discovered in 2019 called SARS-CoV-2.

  • As of now, researchers know that the coronavirus is spread through droplets and virus particles released into the air when an infected person breathes, talks, laughs, sings, coughs, or sneezes. Larger droplets may fall to the ground in a few seconds, but tiny infectious particles can linger in the air and accumulate in indoor places, especially where many people are gathered and there is poor ventilation. This is why wearing a mask is so important.

  • Symptoms may be different for each person and show up 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

    Common COVID-19 symptoms include the following:
    -Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
    -Fever or chills
    -Muscle or body aches
    -Vomiting or diarrhea
    -New loss of taste or smell

    Learn more about symptoms on CDC or using the HealthyMKE Symtom Checker.

  • You can find out if you are sick with COVID-19 through a laboratory test or an at-home test. Find testing locations on HealthyMKE’s COVID-19 test finder.

Variants

  • A variant is a different version of a virus that has changed over time. Some variants will only be around for a short time and others stick around for a long time. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.

    New variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, are expected to occur.

    To track the current variants go to the CDC’s page, What You Need To Know About Variants.

  • The Omicron variant continues to spread throughout communities. Omicron spread more easily than earlier versions of the virus. While Omicron is less severe than other variants, more cases can lead to a higher number of hospitalizations and death. People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can get sick from the Omicron variant, but the vaccines are effective at preventing severe sickness, hospitalizations, and death.

  • Getting vaccinated and staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect yourself and others against the Omicron and other variants.

 

The best method of reducing the chances of being impacted by COVID is to get a vaccine. CLICK HERE to find a provider near you.

Protection

    • Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

    • Wear a mask if you feel sick, if you are at higher risk to get sick, or if there is high community transmission.

    • When indoors, avoid crowded places and try to bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors.

    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

    • Test to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  • The CDC recommends wearing a mask based on the level of COVID-19 in our community. Please consider your personal health and comfort as well. To know the current level of COVID-19 in Milwaukee, check the CDC Community Indicator for Milwaukee County by clicking here.

  • For a full list of ways the CDC is currently recommending to protect yourself from COVID-19 click here.

The best method of reducing the chances of being impacted by COVID is to get a vaccine. CLICK HERE to find a provider near you.

Testing

    • If you have COVID-19 symptoms

    • At least 5 days after known or suspected close contact to COVID-19

    • When asked by a healthcare professional or public health official (like before a surgery)

    • If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to rest as part of a screening testing program

    • Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if the community levels are medium or high

  • COVID-19 testing is offered at many different places. These places include the following:
    -     Trusted community testing sites
    -Public health departments
    -Healthcare providers
    -Pharmacies

    Click here to find a place near you to get a free COVID-19 test.

  • I am in a circumstance where I should get tested and:

    • I have not had COVID-19 or I have not had a positive test within the past 90 days.

      • You may choose NAAT or antigen tests

        • If you use an antigen test and your result is negative, multiple tests may be necessary

    • I tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.

      • My first positive test result was within 30 days or less AND I have symptoms

        • Use antigen tests

        • If negative, multiple tests may be necessary

      • My first positive test result was within 31-90 days AND I have symptoms

        • Use antigen tests

        • If negative, multiple tests may be necessary

    • I do not have symptoms

      • Testing is not recommended to detect a new infection

    • Stay home except to get medical care

    • Get rest and stay hydrated

    • Let your primary care provider and your local health department know you tested positive

    • Stay in touch with your primary care provider to monitor symptoms and find out about treatments available to you (both over-the-counter and prescribed medications)

    • Call 911 or get emergency medical care if you experience any of these COVID-19 warning signs:

      • Trouble breathing

      • Ongoing 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

    To learn more, click here

CLICK HERE to find a COVID-19 testing provider near you.

Treatments & Long COVID

    • Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), to help you feel better.

    • If you test positive for COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick, treatments are available and can reduce your chances of hospitalization and death.

      • Antiviral treatments target specific parts of the virus to stop it from multiplying in the body, helping to prevent severe illness and death.

      • Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the virus.

    • Some treatments might have side effects or interact with other medications you are taking. Ask a healthcare provider if medications to treat COVID-19 are right for you. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, visit a Test to Treat location or contact your local community health center or health department.

  • Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. Contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild right now.

    Don’t delay: Treatment must be started within days of when you first develop symptoms to be effective.

  • Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions (PCC) or long COVID.

    Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems that people experience after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • People who experience post-COVID conditions most commonly report:

    General symptoms

    • Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life

    • Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)

    • Fever

    Respiratory and heart symptoms

    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

    • Cough

    • Chest pain

    • Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

    Neurological symptoms

    • Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)

    • Headache

    • Sleep problems

    • Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)

    • Pins-and-needles feelings

    • Change in smell or taste

    • Depression or anxiety

    Digestive symptoms

    • Diarrhea

    • Stomach pain

    Other symptoms

    • Joint or muscle pain

    • Rash

    • Changes in menstrual cycles

  • Most people with COVID-19 get better within a few days to a few weeks after infection, so at least four weeks after infection is the start of when post-COVID conditions could first be identified.

    Anyone who was infected can experience post-COVID conditions. Most people with post-COVID conditions experienced symptoms days after first learning they had COVID-19, but some people who later experienced post-COVID conditions did not know when they got infected.

If you need a primary care provider to learn more about your treatment options CLICK HERE.

Take action to protect yourself & those around you.

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Information on this page are sourced from the Centers for Disease Control, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.