When Should I Go to the ER or Hospital for My COVID-19 Symptoms? - GoodRx (2024)

Most people with COVID-19 infection never have to see a provider throughout the course of their illness. But, in a world of self-testing and telehealth appointments, it’s totally normal to wonder if you’re OK at home. And it can be scary to know that COVID can still lead to severe problems. We’re here to help you know when it’s time to get help.

What are the symptoms of severe COVID-19?

COVID infection can make you feel very sick, even when you’re OK and not in any real danger. But it can be hard to know when it’s time to get medical attention.

So it’s important to remember that COVID can cause severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing, and cause oxygen levels in your body to be dangerously low. And if this happens, you need medical attention and supplemental oxygen fast.

Your oxygen level might be low if you:

• Feel like you’re working very hard to breathe

• Feel like you can’t catch your breath

• Experience severe chest pain or tightness

• Have a bluish or dusky discoloration of your skin, lips, or nail beds

• Seem confused or disoriented

• Are having difficulty staying awake

If you’re used to feeling shortness of breath from an underlying condition, like asthma or COPD, you’ll want to be extra vigilant if you get COVID infection. Pay attention to any symptoms that seem worse than your baseline.

What if you have risk factors for severe disease?

Certain conditions put you at greater risk for developing severe COVID infection compared to the average population. These include:

• Age over 65 years old

• Diabetes

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• Obesity

• Moderate or severe asthma

• Heart disease

• Cancer

• HIV

You’re also at greater risk for severe COVID if you have:

• Received an organ transplant

• Had any illness requiring steroids or immunosuppressive medications

• Not been vaccinated against COVID

If any of the above apply to you, there are a few extra things you can do to look out for signs or symptoms of a more severe disease:

• Stay in tune with your body. Take note of how you feel day to day so you can sense if your symptoms are worsening.

• When in doubt, see a healthcare provider. Don’t wait until you feel really sick. If you’re wondering if you’re OK, reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. Your healthcare provider can also help you decide if you need to be seen right away in an emergency room (ER).

• Consider getting a pulse oximeter. This is a little device that you put on your finger to measure your oxygen levels. If that reading consistently drops under 90%, it’s time to go to the ER.

What happens if you go to the ER for COVID-19?

When you go to the ER, one of the most important parts of your evaluation will be checking your vital signs. These include your:

• Oxygen level (sometimes called “pulse ox”)

• Breathing rate

• Heart rate

• Blood pressure

Depending on your vital signs and physical exam, your provider may also run some additional tests to see how the virus is affecting your body. These tests may include:

• X-ray of your lungs to look for signs of pneumonia or fluid

• CT scan of your chest to look at the lungs in greater detail, or to check for blood clots

• EKG of your heart to look for signs of stress or strain on the heart

• Blood tests to check your blood counts, kidney function, and electrolytes

After these tests, you and your provider will discuss if you’re safe to continue recovering at home or if you should stay in the hospital for closer monitoring.

What happens when you are admitted to the hospital?

Your provider in the ER will probably recommend you stay in the hospital if:

• You are struggling to breathe.

• Your oxygen levels are low.

• You are struggling to stay hydrated or keep fluids down.

• You have any changes in how alert or sleepy you are, or how coherent you seem.

• You have a medical condition that makes it more likely that your infection will worsen. In the hospital, a healthcare provider can monitor you and your symptoms more closely.

In addition to close monitoring, you can get helpful COVID treatments in the hospital. Every person is different and has different needs. But some treatment options include:

• Oxygen, like through nasal prongs or a mask

• Intravenous (IV) fluids to keep you well hydrated

• Steroids, if you have underlying lung conditions

• Antiviral medications, like remdesivir

• Biologic medications, like vilobelimab or tocilizumab

• Anti-inflammatory medications, like baricitinib or anakinra

Keep in mind that getting admitted to the hospital doesn’t mean that you will definitely have COVID-related complications. Hospitalization is often to prevent that from happening. And if it does, your provider can treat the issue right away.