Rumors swirled for months. We worried. And then, everything changed. The COVID-19 pandemic reached South Carolina in March 2020. By April, the virus had spread to every corner of the state. More than 17,860 South Carolinians died from the virus. 

Five years later, much has changed, even as COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. 

Here’s the newest information and how to protect yourself and your family from the virus. Like the flu, medical experts expect COVID-19 to be with us for a while. 

There is a lot of misinformation online. For the latest, we recommend trusted public health organizations such as:  

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)*.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)*.
• World Health Organization (WHO)*.
• South Carolina Department of Public Health*.

Symptoms 

COVID-19 symptoms are varied and are like other illnesses. Symptoms may change with new variants. Vaccine status can affect a person’s symptoms, which include the following: 

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps track of COVID-19 symptoms*. Find updated information here*. 

Testing 

Being able to test for COVID-19* at home is a gamechanger. These antigen self-tests usually produce results in 15 to 30 minutes. Positive results are accurate and reliable. 

Be sure you follow the directions on the box and read the information included. 

However, a single negative test, especially when symptoms are not present, cannot rule out infection. 

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends*:

• Two negative antigen tests for individuals with symptoms. 
• Three tests for those without symptoms, performed 48 hours apart. 

Tests taken by a health care provider, usually Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), are considered the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. A single test can confirm an antigen test result. 

Find guidance from the CDC for what type of test to get* based on your specific circumstances. 

Treatment 

Once you’ve tested for COVID-19, you can decide what to do next. Getting treated can reduce the risk of severe illness. It can also help prevent spreading the virus to others. 

The FDA has approved several antiviral medications to treat mild to moderate COVID-19* in people who are at high risk for severe illness. 

Older adults, young children, people with compromised immune systems, people with disabilities and pregnant women are generally at higher risk of severe illness* from respiratory viruses. This includes COVID-19, the flu and RSV. 

Medications to treat the virus must be prescribed by a health care provider. These medications should be started within five to seven days after symptoms appear, so it is important to talk with your doctor right away. 

Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. Over-the-counter medicines can help you feel better. Talk with your doctor about at-home options. 

Staying up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine is the first step to prevent severe health outcomes. 

Protecting Others 

If you feel sick, stay home and away from others. Seek care if you have risk factors for severe illness*. 

People who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine have lower risk of severe illness. The CDC recommends* everyone ages 6 months and older get a 2024 – 2025 COVID-19 vaccine. 

The vaccine helps your body develop immunity* to the virus that causes COVID-19 without getting the virus. Learn more about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine*.

Vaccines protect you and your family. They also protect the community. 

Protecting Yourself 

There are things you can do to prevent the spread of illness. 

According to the CDC, you should:  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Studies show there is no added health benefit to using antibacterial soap compared to plain soap in a non-health care setting.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. 
  • Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

*These links lead to third-party websites. Those organizations are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites. 

The CDC, NIH, WHO, South Carolina Department of Public Health and FDA are organizations that provide health information you may find helpful. 
 

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