Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

This story is free to read.

Ask a Doctor: Tips for self-isolation if you have COVID-19

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Dr. Paul Hendricks, Health Officer for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, speaks during a press conference in Golley Auditorium at the Hamilton County Health Department on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tenn. It was announced during the Press conference that the second and third cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Hamilton County had been confirmed.
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Dr. Paul Hendricks, Health Officer for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, speaks during a press conference in Golley Auditorium at the Hamilton County Health Department on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tenn. It was announced during the Press conference that the second and third cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Hamilton County had been confirmed. Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Dr. Paul Hendricks, Health Officer for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, speaks during a press conference in Golley Auditorium at the Hamilton County Health Department on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tenn. It was announced during the Press conference that the second and third cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Hamilton County had been confirmed.

Q: I have COVID-19 and was told to self-isolate. What does that involve?

A: You need to stay in your home to recover and to prevent infecting others, leaving only to see a physician if you need medical care. The good news about COVID-19 is that, like most people, your illness is not severe enough to require hospitalization. However, you should familiarize yourself with the emergency warning signs of severe illness out of caution. These include:

* Trouble breathing.

* Persistent pain or pressure in your chest.

* Change in your mental status, such as confusion or inability to arouse.