This page is constantly being updated as we learn more about COVID-19.  UPDATED: 10/29/2020

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I'm sick or have recently been exposed to a confirmed case of Covid-19? UPDATED 10/29/20
If you are a member of Health Suite 110 and are having symptoms OR have been exposed to a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, please complete the Covid-19 questionnaire to be reviewed by your physician.

In general, if you have had close contact with a + Covid-19 case and are:
a) ARE NOT having symptoms - quarantine for 14 days and consider testing at Day 7 or later to catch asymtomatic cases.
b) ARE having symptoms - get tested.

Most people that test positive for COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and should recover at home. The CDC has updated information on what to do if you are SICK, what to do if you have been EXPOSED to a known case of Covid-19 and how to care for a person in your household with COVID-19.​​​
What does "close contact" or "exposure" mean?     UPDATED 10/29/20
A close contact is defined as any person who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated (or until the end of the infectious period if not isolated before then).
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Other people who could potentially be defined as close contacts:
  • Household contacts living/sleeping/eating in the same home, or sexual partners of a case
  • Healthcare workers who have had a breach in PPE or have not worn it while exposed to a case (either directly, with bodily fluids, or with a laboratory specimen)
  • People in closed settings, such as long-term living facilities, and other high-risk congregational/closed settings (e.g., prisons, shelters, hostels) where a case has been identified
  • Known/identifiable contacts of a case in other group settings (places of worship, indoor workplaces, private social events)
  • Passengers on an aircraft sitting within 2 seats (in any direction) of the case, travel companions, anyone providing care, or crew members working in the same section
  • People who used other public or shared transportation with a case
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine - keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others.
Isolation – separates people who are infected with the virus away from people who are not infected.

Quarantine (aka stay home!):  If you have close contact (less than 6-feet for more than 15 minutes) with someone positive for COVID-19 or travel to a state list on the KDHE quarantine list.

1. Stay home for 14 days from your last contact (even if you have a negative COVID-19 test) or from your return from a state on quarantine list.  Click here for helpful illustration. 
2. Check your temperature twice daily and monitor for symptoms
3. If mild to moderate symptoms develop - please complete our covid-19 questionnaire or call our office on the next business day to discuss current testing recommendations.
4. If severe symptoms develop - please go to the ED
5. If you have close contact with a COVID-19 patient and do not have symptoms, but desire COVID-19 testing, please complete our covid-19 questionnaire or call our office on the next business day to discuss current testing recommendations.

Isolation (aka stay home!):  If you have symptoms of COVID-19, are waiting on COVID-19 test results, OR have tested positive for COVID-19 (even if you don't have symptoms).

You can leave isolation when:
     a) it's been at least 10 days from onset of symptoms and when fever free x 24 hours without fever reducing medications
          (whichever is longer) and symptoms have improved  OR
     b) you've had two negative COVID-19 tests obtained >24 hours apart, fever free and improving symptoms.

**See handy table below for more visual info.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VARIOUS COVID-19 TESTS OUT THERE?
  1. Nasal PCR testing (gold standard): takes 2-7 days for results, very accurate.
  2. Nasal rapid antigen testing: takes about 15 minutes for results.  Positive results are very accurate.  Negative results may require a PCR test to confirm if suspicions remain high.
  3. Sputum PCR testing: may be as accurate as nasal test, studies ongoing.
  4. Blood antigen testing: tests for the presence of antibodies to help determine previous infection.  NOT helpful in diagnosing acute symptoms.  May cross-react with other non-covid-19 viruses.  Unsure level of antibodies necessary to produce immunity or how long they last.  Good 4 minute explainer videos to understand why you can't always trust your coronavirus antibody test results. Until prevalence in an area reaches at least 20%, antibody testing is no better than a coin-flip.
What's the risk for covid-19 exposure in my area?
Georgia Tech has developed a event risk estimation tool, organized by county.  Start by choosing the size of an event from 10 to 10,000 (lower, left hand side) and then zoom in and hover your mouse over your county.  For example, on 7/21/20, in Johnson County, a group of 10 people have a 23% chance that at least 1 covid-19 positive individual would be present.
What are considered "high risk" travel areas?
Kansas has a mandatory 14-day home quarantine for anyone who has recently visited a high risk area.  See KHDE website for latest updates.  The CDC recommends to avoid ALL non-essential international travel due to global spread.

*Simply driving through a state or briefly stopping for gas or a meal does NOT require quarantine upon return home.
What are the recommendations for pediatric athletes with recent covid-19?
Who is most high risk for complications?
  • Health care workers
  • People aged 60 and older
  • Patients who are hospitalized
  • People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • People who have a high-risk condition, including
    • chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
    • heart disease with complications
    • immunosuppression, including cancer treatment
    • uncontrolled medical condition such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver disease​​
What can i take for treatment or prevention of covid-19?    updated 10/29/20
  • ​There are ongoing studies looking at treatment and/or prevention options covid-19 including chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma, but results so far show that these have not been significantly helpful.  In addition, some of these medications also have significant cardiac risks so are not recommended for the general public.
  • There were initially concerns that covid-19 patients who took ACE-inhibitors (such as lisinopril) or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) had worse outcomes, but these do not appear to be of significant concern.  Regardless, due to the risk for dehydration and kidney damage in patients who become acutely ill, we generally recommend Tylenol (acetaminophen) as first line treatment for pain or fever if possible.  Patients who are taking NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, etc) for acute or chronic issues are encouraged to discuss with their physician.
  • While prevention strategies vary, we do often recommend TREATING + covid-19* with a 15-day course of:
    • aspirin 81 mg daily
    • zinc 50 mg daily
    • vitamin D3 2000 IU daily
    • vitamin C 1000 mg twice daily
    • famotidine 40 mg twice daily
    • melatonin 5 mg nightly

*As always, please contact your physician for specific recommendations for you before starting any new medications.
How can I keep my sanity during this stressful time?
- CONNECT. Reach out to friends and family via phone, video calls & old fashioned letter-writing.
- PLAY. Haul out that old (or new) hobby. Now's the time to dust off that guitar, hula hoop or box of paints.
- EXERCISE. Go for a walk. Play frisbee. Yoga with Adriene is a great FREE resource on Youtube.
- TALK. Our friends at Resolve KC offer online counseling as well as FREE group sessions on Facebook.
how can i keep my family & community safe?
Covid-19 is spread primarily through droplets, so coughing, sneezing, talking and breathing are the main risks for transfer.
  • Wear a mask when out in public. Here's a link to a no-sew version you can make in 5 minutes!
  • Continue social distancing – stay at least 6 feet away from anyone outside your home “bubble”.
  • Wash your hands with soap (keep those suds going for 20 seconds before rinsing) & avoid touching your face.

Remember, going outside for play and exercise is ENCOURAGED, but please continue with those friendly waves from afar and sidewalk chalk messages until it is safe to gather again. More resources on the KDHE website under "Toolkits" then "Individual/Family".
what about the holidays?
Check out other fright night ideas and your county's risk level and suggestions for safe events based on level (green, yellow, orange or red).

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment offers suggestions on celebrating Halloween safely this year. 

The CDC has also issued guidelines on how to stay safe over the upcoming holidays, including Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos and Thanksgiving.
IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO TEST + FOR COVID-19?
Yes!  Essential workers who need assistance for eligible child care or health care expenses related to a covid-19 may apply to the Kansas Hero Relief program.  This program is available