Mild symptoms: Stay home
Mild symptoms include a temperature below 100 degrees (below 102.4 degrees for children older than three months), aches and pains, or a mild cough. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and monitor your symptoms. Hopefully, you will start to feel better in a few days.
Moderate symptoms: Call your Primary Care Office
If you have moderate symptoms like a fever higher than 100.4 degrees, significant coughing, or shortness of breath, contact your primary care provider’s office.
For children ages 3 months and older who are not immunocompromised, a high fever is greater than 102.4 degrees. If your child has a fever, significant coughing, or shortness of breath, you also should call their primary care provider’s office. You should also call if they are sleepier, if they have not gone to the bathroom in more than 10 hours (if 3 years or older) or more than 8 hours (if younger than 3 years old). Your child’s doctor can recommend next steps.
If you do not have a primary care provider or you have symptoms that need immediate attention, try our urgent care options:
- Schedule an appointment with Mass General Brigham Virtual Urgent Care.
Mass General Brigham offers convenient, high-quality virtual urgent care services to those located in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. If you have concerns about COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, you can virtually and securely connect to a provider. Please note: Virtual Urgent Care is only for patients ages 3 and older.
- Visit one of our in-person Urgent Care centers.
Severe Symptoms: Seek Emergency Care
Go to the Emergency Department if you have severe symptoms, such as:
- Severe trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or dizziness
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
If you cannot get to the emergency department, call 9-1-1.
