My Husband May Have Coronavirus

My husband came home from work last night not feeling great. Today he has a low-grade fever and cough. We think he may have coronavirus. What steps should we take to make sure he gets better, and to keep it from spreading to me and our two young children?

Sincerely,

“COVID Combater”

Dear Combater:

I’m sorry to hear that your husband isn’t feeling well. The first thing you should do is call his health care provider and tell them about his symptoms and possible exposure. They will decide whether he should be tested for coronavirus. But since there’s no treatment and his symptoms are mild, he will likely be advised to self-isolate.

“Self-isolate” may sound scary, but all it means is he’ll stay home for 14 days (the long-end estimate of the duration of the virus’ incubation period) and monitor his symptoms. To protect the rest of the household, your husband should cover his mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, wash his hands thoroughly and regularly, use a separate bathroom if available, and—here’s the hard part—stay in his own designated, closed-off room as much as possible.

I know it’s hard for loved ones to be apart for a long stretch of time, especially when young children are involved, so get creative when it comes to staying connected. For instance, you can video call one another or have the kids make get well cards and slide them under the door.

Here are some additional steps you should take to protect yourself and your family:

• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day (more frequently if used very often), including phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, and bathroom fixtures.
• Avoid sharing personal household items with your husband, including dishes, cups, utensils, towels, and bedding. After he uses these items, wash them thoroughly.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially after disinfecting items or bringing meals to your husband; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Get air flow in the home if possible, such as opening windows.
• Care for any pets yourself to avoid them coming into contact with your husband. (While there has been no clear transmission of the virus from pets to humans, it remains a theoretical concern based on the ability of coronaviruses to infect both humans and animals. Better to be safe than sorry.)

And in case you’re wondering, it’s OK for you and your kids to go outside—as long as you’re taking the proper precautions, are not in close contact with your husband, and are closely monitoring yourselves for any symptoms. Getting outdoors can help you deal with this potentially stressful situation, and it also cuts down on your husband’s need to do things like grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions. I fully support the recommendation to practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people) to be extra careful and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

Finally, be sure that your husband is closely monitoring his symptoms. If they worsen and he experiences a more intense cough, high fever, or difficulty breathing, call his doctor first and then seek more immediate care. But if symptoms remain mild (low fever, cough, chills, muscle aches), he can simply stay in self-isolation until he feels well again and his doctor gives him the green light. Even in mild cases, recovery can take almost two weeks.

With Lauren Urban.

Subscribe here to receive alerts for all things coronavirus and more from The Well.

• Worried about coronavirus? We’ve got you covered.
• How to stay healthy—and sane—when you’re stuck at home.
• Tips for talking to your kids about coronavirus.