Some people who have COVID-19 will have no symptoms at all, but can still spread the virus.  Other symptoms can include:  fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you have been within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for longer than 15 minutes you should be tested.  If you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 you should consider being tested.  Common symptoms are:  fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Generally, results are back in less than 24 hours, but it can take up to 48 hours.

Call Clarkdale Clinic at (601)282-3271 to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 screening. You will be emailed a form that must be completed prior to your appointment.

If your test result is NEGATIVE (showing you do NOT have COVID-19)  you will receive an e-mail that tells you this.  If your test result is POSITIVE (showing that you DO have COVID-19) you will receive a phone call from our office to discuss these results with you.  If you DO have COVID-19, you also will be contacted by the state health department to ensure you understand the importance of isolating yourself from other people.

Yes, it is alright to use acetaminophen (tylenol) or NSAID’s (ibuprofen or aleve) even if you have been exposed to COVID-19.  However, if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease you should always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medications.

The most effective ways we know to prevent COVID-19 are:  1)  Keeping 6-10 feet away from people that do not live in your home, 2)  Frequent hand washing, 3) Using hand sanitizer in between washing your hands, 4) Wearing a mask every time you are within 6 feet of any one who does not live in your home.

The pandemic can be very stressful and stress can lower immunity.  Some ways you may be able to protect your immunity during the pandemic are:  Eating a diet full of a variety of vegetables and lots of berries, increasing your physical activity during this time, practicing good sleep hygiene, and taking social media breaks to de-stress.  Some very limited research has suggested adding the following supplements may be beneficial:  Vitamin C 500 mg twice daily, Quercetin 250 mg-500 mg twice daily, zinc 75 mg daily (should not be used for more than 1-2 months), Vitamin D3 2,000 units daily, and melatonin 0.5 mg each evening.  

You should go to the hospital immediately for any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fainting or sudden dizziness or weakness
• Changes in vision
• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Any sudden or severe pain
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Difficulty speaking

Yes, it is vitally important that you follow the guidelines of the Mississippi State Department of Health and remain in isolation for the full 14 days.  You should remember that you can still spread the COVID-19 virus to others during this time.  By everyone who has COVID-19 strictly following a 14 day period of isolation, we can put a stop to this pandemic.  Do your part and stay in isolation!

No, if you have a positive COVID-19 test, you must remain in isolation for 14 days AND must be fever free with all of your other symptoms improving for 72 hours prior to leaving isolation.

When a COVID-19 test is positive, the health department does collect employment information. They then notify the employer so your coworkers and anyone you may have had prolonged contact with at work can be tested. It is an integral part of what is called “contact tracing”.

You can get them tested if you choose because they have been exposed.  Whether their test comes back POSITIVE or NEGATIVE they still have to complete a 14 day period of quarantine with you.  Everyone who lives in the same house with a person with a POSITIVE test should quarantine for 14 days.

PCR and antigen tests both check for a current COVID-19 infection.  Antibody tests are typically used when looking  for a past COVID-19 infection.  Neither type of test implants or leaves any type of device in the body. Instead they simply obtain a little bit of mucous on a swab that is a lot like a q-tip and that mucous sample is sent for analysis, looking for viral RNA, antigen, or antibodies, depending on which test is used.