Deciding when to seek professional medical help for COVID-19 can be challenging, as symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. Knowing the specific criteria that separate symptoms manageable at home from those requiring immediate medical intervention is essential. Understanding these distinctions ensures you receive the appropriate level of care and helps reserve the emergency room (ER) for true medical emergencies.
Managing Mild to Moderate Symptoms at Home
Most people who contract COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover fully without a hospital visit. These symptoms typically include fever, persistent cough, headache, sore throat, general fatigue, or temporary loss of taste or smell. Home treatment focuses on supportive care, primarily getting plenty of rest and maintaining adequate hydration.
Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can reduce fever and alleviate body aches. Decongestants or cough suppressants may also help with respiratory discomfort. While recovering at home, you should continue to monitor your symptoms for any signs of deterioration.
Immediate Emergency Warning Signs
Acute symptoms are clear indications of a medical emergency requiring an immediate call to 911 or a rush to the nearest ER. These signs suggest that the body’s ability to maintain basic life functions, particularly oxygenation and neurological status, is severely compromised.
The most concerning sign is severe difficulty breathing, especially if it occurs at rest or makes speaking difficult. If monitoring oxygen levels at home, an oxygen saturation (SpO2) reading consistently 92% or lower signals the need for emergency help; a reading below 90% requires immediate intervention.
Other serious warning signs include persistent chest pain or pressure that does not dissipate, suggesting possible lung inflammation or a cardiac event. A sudden change in mental status, such as new confusion, inability to wake up, or trouble staying awake, indicates severe complications. Finally, the appearance of pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds (cyanosis) is a visible sign of dangerously low oxygen levels.
Worsening Symptoms That Require Urgent Care
Symptoms that signal worsening illness require prompt medical consultation but do not yet demand an ER visit. These symptoms indicate a need for a doctor’s evaluation, potentially at an urgent care center or through a virtual visit, to prevent further decline. Reserving the ER for acute emergencies ensures hospital resources are available for those with life-threatening conditions.
A persistent high fever that remains unresponsive to over-the-counter medication over several days warrants medical advice to prevent complications. Significant dehydration is another serious concern, which can manifest as an inability to keep fluids down for 24 hours, decreased urination, or dry mouth and eyes.
Shortness of breath only upon exertion that becomes progressively worse over a few days suggests declining respiratory function. This differs from the immediate, severe difficulty breathing at rest that necessitates an ER visit. A drop in baseline oxygen levels to a range between 90% and 94% may also be an early sign of deterioration requiring urgent clinical assessment.
Practical Steps Before Heading to the Emergency Room
If you decide to go to the ER, take practical steps to protect yourself, staff, and other patients. If possible, call the hospital or emergency services line ahead of time to inform them you suspect you have COVID-19. This allows the facility to implement infection control protocols, such as directing you to a separate intake area.
Before interacting with anyone, ensure you wear a high-quality, well-fitting face mask or respirator over your nose and mouth. Essential items to bring include your photo identification card, insurance information, and a complete list of all medications you currently take. Having the contact information for your primary care physician readily available is also helpful.