Massachusetts Guidelines for Respiratory Illness, Including COVID

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IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF A RESPIRATORY VIRUS
 

If you have new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough or a runny or stuffy nose, you should stay home and stay away from others in your household.

While you are staying at home:

  • Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment if you test positive.
  • Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

You should stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick.

When you start to feel better:

You may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if: 

  1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND 
  2. Your other symptoms are improving

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities, take these extra precautions:

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease

If your symptoms get worse again: 

If your fever comes back or any other symptoms start to get worse, you should go back home until you are better again. Wait to resume normal activities until you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines AND your symptoms are improving again. When you resume normal activities, take the recommended additional precautions during the next 5 days:

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces
  • Wear a mask indoors around other people
  • Wash your hands often
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
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IF YOU HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR A RESPIRATORY VIRUS BUT DO NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS

If you tested positive but do not have symptoms, you can still spread the virus and should take precautions to prevent others from getting sick.

For at least the first 5 days, take these extra precautions: 

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.
  • Although not required, choosing to stay home for about 72 hours may help reduce the chances that you spread the virus to others. While you stay home you should:
  • Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
  •  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

If you develop any respiratory symptoms: 

If you get a fever, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness, you should go home. You may begin to resume normal activities with some precautions when:

  1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
  2. Your symptoms are improving again

Then, take the recommended extra precautions during the next 5 days:

  • Avoid crowded indoor spaces 
  • Wear a mask indoors around other people
  • Wash your hands often
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
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IF YOU WERE EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH A RESPIRATORY VIRUS

If you have been exposed to a respiratory virus, you do not need to stay home as long as you remain asymptomatic. You may be able to spread a respiratory virus before developing symptoms.

To protect others, especially those with risk factors for severe illness, take precautions: 

  • Wash your hands often
  • Consider wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms carefully

Stay home if you start to develop any signs of illness. 

UPDATED:  3/25/24