Going Home after COVID-19

Spending time in hospital because of COVID-19 can be a very scary experience. You are now well enough to be discharged in order to continue your recovery outside of hospital. You or your family might have lots of questions about what happens next.

How long do I need to self-isolate for?

If you had symptoms of COVID-19, you need to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

If after 10 days you still have a fever, a runny nose or you are sneezing, you need to self-isolate until these symptoms stop.

If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, you need to self-isolate until 48 hours after these stop.

If you did not have symptoms of COVID-19 and it was found on a routine swab, you need to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your swab.

When will I feel back to my usual self?

Many people are very unwell with COVID-19 and it can have an impact on their mental and physical health.

Physical symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, poor appetite, stiff joints and alteration in taste or smell. Some patients can have issues with sleeping, mood, memory or even have flashbacks.

It may take you weeks or even months to recover and it is important that you are patient and kind to yourself as you recover. Make sure you eat, drink and sleep well, remain active and talk to friends, family and your GP for physical and emotional support.

When can I start exercising?

Being physically active is very important for your continued physical recovery as well as having positive effects on your mental health.

Once discharged from hospital and after 7 days of the initial diagnosis of COVID-19, we would advise that you gradually increase activity each day.

Start with low intensity activity, such as light housework or garden tasks, increasing daily for the first week. After this, increase the intensity of activities, such as brisk walking for short periods (starting at 5 minutes in length) and building on this daily.

Everyone is an individual and you need to take this at your own pace, but gradually building your activity is important.

Can I still get the vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are being given around the UK to those most at risk of becoming unwell with the infection.

The NHS Vaccine programme will contact you when they are ready to vaccinate you. You can have the vaccine 4 weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.

Will I have any follow up?

You will have a follow up chest X-ray within 3 months of your discharge from hospital. Your hospital team will decide whether any extra follow up is needed based on your individual need

Do I need any medicines when I get home?

Some patients will be given a month supply of blood thinning medications (such as “Apixaban” or “Rivaroxaban”) when they go home. This is to reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs which can happen with some COVID-19 patients.

This is usually for those patients who were very unwell with COVID-19 and needed higher amounts of support for their lungs. Your hospital doctor will decide whether this is right for you based on your individual needs.

Despite these advantages, this blood thinning medicine increases your risk of bleeding. If you have heavy or persistent bleeding or have a head injury you should seek urgent medical attention.

Some patients will have been diagnosed with a blood clot while in hospital. These patients will require more prolonged blood thinning medication and your doctors will have told you about this.

When can I get help?

Some patients will be given a month supply of blood thinning medications (such as “Apixaban” or “Rivaroxaban”) when they go home. This is to reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs which can happen with some COVID-19 patients.

This is usually for those patients who were very unwell with COVID-19 and needed higher amounts of support for their lungs. Your hospital doctor will decide whether this is right for you based on your individual needs.

Despite these advantages, this blood thinning medicine increases your risk of bleeding. If you have heavy or persistent bleeding or have a head injury you should seek urgent medical attention.

Some patients will have been diagnosed with a blood clot while in hospital. These patients will require more prolonged blood thinning medication and your doctors will have told you about this.

See the NHS website below for further helpful information:

When can I return to work?

This is different for every person and will depend on the job you do and how COVID-19 has affected you. Once you are no longer self-isolating, you are allowed to do activities you feel physically capable of doing.

Speak to your employer, occupational health department or GP.

If you are off work for less than seven days, you can “self-certify”. If you will be off work for more than seven days, speak to your Nurse or Doctor before leaving the ward and we can arrange a “fit note” for you.

I took part in a critical trial. How do I find out more about it?

You may have been offered to take part in the “Recovery Trial” during your stay at University Hospital of North Tees. You can find more information about the trial at:

Would you consider donating your blood to help other COVID-19 patients?

Now that you are recovering from COVID-19 infection, your blood will have lots of antibodies against COVID-19. Researchers are continuing to investigate if collecting and giving these antibodies to other patients can help them recover faster.

You can choose to become involved and donate some of your antibodies to help with this through a process very similar to blood donation.

The NHS is particularly keen to hear from men aged 50-65 or men from ethnic minorities who have recovered from COVID-19 because these groups often have the highest amount of antibodies in their blood.

Telephone: 03001232323

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]