COVID-19

Prevention, symptoms, and treatment of the COVID-19 virus

Prevention, Symptoms & Treatment

Learn about COVID-19 vaccinations, symptoms, testing, and treatments

COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill. Some people, including those with minor or no symptoms, can develop Post-COVID Conditions – also called “Long COVID.”

How COVID-19 Spreads

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on others’ eyes, nose, or mouth. In some circumstances, these droplets may contaminate the surfaces they touch. Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms,

Prevention

Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer
Avoid close contact with people who are sick (or others if you are sick)
Improve air ventilation
Stay home when you are sick until your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of medications)

Symptoms

Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. Possible symptoms include:

Coughing
Shortness of breath
Fever
Chills and shaking
Fatigue
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Conjunctivitis

Feeling Sick?

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have symptoms that aren’t better explained by another cause.

Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness . Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

Testing

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, wear a more effective mask and get tested within 24 hours.

If you are not showing symptoms (asymptomatic) but may have been exposed to COVID-19, testing is recommended 4-6 days after exposure, even if you are fully vaccinated.

In-Person Rapid PCR Testing

Rapid PCR tests are point-of-care tests (not take-home antigen tests)
Locations, by appointment only:
- School-Based Health Centers (SBHC)
  - Margaret Brent Middle School SBHC: 29675 Point Lookout Rd, Mechanicsville
    - Call (240) 434-6060 for an appointment
  - Spring Ridge Middle School SBHC: 19856 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park
    - Call (240) 434-6059 for an appointment
  - Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m, by appointment only

Results: Available online via the SMCHD CureMD patient portal

At-Home Rapid Antigen Test Kits

Free at-home rapid antigen test kits are available for St. Mary’s County residents:
- No appointment required – Pick up at:
  - Health Hub at 21625 Great Mills Rd in Lexington Park (Drive-thru)
    - Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  - St. Mary’s County Health Department at 21580 Peabody Street in Leonardtown (Front Desk)
    - Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Limitations: Two tests per person present in the vehicle, as supply allows

COVID-19 Vaccine

Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination is effective in decreasing the risk of both COVID infection and serious illness. Everyone aged 6 months and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Get answers to frequently asked questions and bust myths about COVID-19 vaccines.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Fall 2024

The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are now available in Maryland. Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness due to COVID-19. The vaccine teaches our immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are available for Marylanders aged 6 months and older and have been formulated to better protect against current variants.

The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are especially recommended for those who:

Are ages 65 and older
Are at higher risk for severe COVID-19
Have never gotten a COVID-19 vaccine

Visit Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines to learn more guidelines about eligibility for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines, including for children.

Vaccinations are available through pediatricians and other physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies. The St. Mary’s County Health Department will have COVID-19 vaccines available for children 18 and under through the Vaccines for Children Program. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children Program (uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid recipient, American Indian, or Alaskan Native) can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the SMCHD Health Clinic. Contact the SMCHD Health Clinic at 301-475-4330 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine location near you, search vaccines.gov. You can also contact your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or local health department for more details on how to receive a vaccine.

Note: SMCHD will only be receiving vaccines for children eligible for the Vaccines for Children Program (uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid recipient, American Indian, or Alaskan Native).

Treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are more likely to get significant illness from infection, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized, dying from the illness, and developing post-COVID conditions. If you are sick with COVID-19, call your doctor to ask about treatment options, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Don’t delay – treatment must be started within days of when you first develop symptoms to be effective. Learn more about COVID-19 treatments and medications.

Post-COVID Conditions

Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Even people who did not have COVID-19 symptoms during their infection may develop post-COVID conditions. These conditions can present as different types of health problems for different lengths of time. Post-COVID conditions may also be known as long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, or chronic COVID. Experts around the world are working to learn more about the short- and long-term health effects associated with COVID-19, who gets them, and why. If you are concerned that you may have a post-COVID condition, talk to your personal doctor for evaluation and treatment options.

Did you ever have COVID-19? Click here to complete a brief, anonymous survey!

Resources for People with Post-COVID Conditions

Residents previously diagnosed with COVID-19 are asked to complete this brief, anonymous survey. Results will help inform development of local healthcare services and other community resources to address post-COVID conditions.
As of July 2021, “long COVID,” also known as post-COVID conditions, can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learn more: Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section | HHS.gov
Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) for more information on Resources to Support Children, Students, Educators, Schools, Service Providers, and Families
For information on supporting people with a post-COVID condition, see the Caring for People with Post-COVID Conditions webpage