COVID-19 Self-Care Guide

COVID-19

Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need medical help right away. Tell them that you may have COVID-19.

Only book a COVID-19 test if you meet the eligibility criteria. Please do not attend the Emergency Department or Urgent Care for COVID-19 testing. Book an appointment for a test at an AHS assessment centre only if you are eligible.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you can use an at-home rapid test if you have access to one. Rapid antigen tests are available for free at a participating pharmacy. Find a pharmacy near you.

Self-Care

Managing COVID-19 Symptoms at Home

Important: If you are sick, you are recommended to isolate. If your symptoms get worse call Health Link at 811. If you need medical help right away call 911.

Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment and can manage mild symptoms at home.

Things To Help You Feel Better

  • Get extra rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Try over the counter medications (such as Tylenol) to help with body aches, headache or to lower fever, if it’s safe for you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.

More: What To Do If You Have Symptoms | Self-Care Resources

Symptoms

Isolation Requirements

Assessment & Testing

Vaccine / Immunization

What To Do If You Have Symptoms

  • See more tips on managing symptoms
  • If you have access, use an at-home rapid test.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and away from other people until your symptoms get better.
  • If you test negative on an at-home rapid test but you still have symptoms, stay home and away from other people until you feel better, even if you have multiple negative at-home rapid tests.

Self-Care Resources

Resources are available to help you manage mild symptoms at home and take care of someone who has COVID-19:

Self-Care

Caring for Someone with COVID-19 at Home

If you are caring for a person who has COVID-19 at home, designate one healthy person to be their caregiver.

  • Try to ensure the sick person has their own bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
  • Maintain physical distance from the sick person, as much as possible.
  • Avoid sharing household and personal items.
  • Wear a mask when within 2 metres of the sick person.
  • Keep the environment clean and disinfect high touch surfaces.

More: Information for Children & Families | How to Isolate & Quarantine

Self-Care Videos

Getting Healthy After COVID-19

COVID-19 infection can result in long lasting symptoms. Your recovery and rehabilitation can be challenging, but there are resources to help:

Learn More About Omicron

  • Omicron is the dominant variant strain of COVID in Alberta.
  • The symptoms of the variant strains of COVID-19 are similar to the original strain.
  • Early data suggests Omicron is more infectious than the other COVID-19 variants and may result in milder symptoms, however evidence is still emerging.
  • There may be an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, so people who have been previously infected with COVID-19 could be re-infected more easily.