Experts answer your COVID-19 questions: ‘My brother is getting tested now, and my mother and father are isolating. But based on this, am I at risk of…

Have a question about COVID-19? We will ask the experts.

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Note: Due to the volume of questions submitted, we will not be able to answer them all. Any questions of an urgent nature should be directed immediately to your primary care physician.

Readers of The Tribune-Democrat asked the following questions:

In my family,sevenpeople tested positive, oneswith very mild symptoms are in self-isolation. Three were hospitalized, and after five days of treatment, they tested negative.

Remaining are not tested yet because of scarcity of kits. Can previously hospitalized people and home isolated people stay together? What are the safety measures to be taken?

The answer:

Isolation is for people who tested positive.

Theres no problem in having multiple people isolate together, as long as they are all positive.

Most people with mild to moderate illness who are not severely immunocompromised can stop isolation 10 days after COVID-19 symptom onset and at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and symptoms have improved.

Wear a mask when entering general living areas. Continue to follow other safety precautions including good hand-washing hygiene, clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces every day.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

I tested negative for the virus on July 31. Ibegan to get chills and low-grade fever on Aug. 5. I got retested at an urgent care center and I was positive. I isolated until Aug. 22, then was retested on Aug. 23, and my result were negative. However, I have an itchy throat off and on. I am worried. I do have allergies, but never suffered constant itchy throat. Should I retest again? My doctor said its not necessary. But my neighbor, who is a physician assistant, recommended retesting.

I am paranoid, because I was one who wore a mask always and avoided crowds no social gatherings at all, just the market and physical therapy.

The answer:

A recent study found that in patients who had recovered from COVID-19, approximately 90% reported persistence of at least one symptom, including fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, coughor sore throat.

Sometimes the virus is persistent in detectable levels up to 12 weeks after infection, but likely isnt infectious. For this reason, people previously diagnosed with COVID-19 shouldnt undergo virus testing within three months after the date of symptom onset (Aug. 5) for the initial infection.

I recommend you discuss this with your physician, an ENT consult, for evaluation of your persistent throat symptoms.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

A person (X) sits in a meeting with another person (Y) in the morning for a continuous period of three to four hours. Later in the evening, the person Y tests positive for COVID-19 in a rapid antigen test. Is it necessary for the person X to go for a COVID test? What if X comes to work after seven days of home quarantine without doing any test? Would your answer differ if person X was/is already having sore throat, broken voice, coughing? What are the other employees supposed to do in such a condition?

The answer:

Person X is a close contact of person Y who tested positive for COVID-19. Person X should be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of their contact with person Y.

If a close contact (person X) develops symptoms during those 14 days, they could be tested for COVID-19, or they may be advised to self-isolate at home.

I advise you to discuss the above with your employer and human resources department.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

I have an asymptomatic 35-weeks-pregnant COVID-19 patient. She is on quarantine and doing well, as is her baby. My question is: after a two-week quarantine and if she remains asymptomatic, can she be admitted in a non-COVID ward and be delivered in a non-COVID delivery room? Will I still have to repeat the swab since even if the swab turns out to be positive after the 11 days, she is no longer considered infectious? Delivering her after two weeks of quarantine in a COVID delivery area and admitting her in aCOVID ward might put her to risk of getting reinfected.

The answer:

Bottom line is that I advise adherence to your hospitals infection control policies and procedures, and use the recommended PPE (personal protective equipment).

Sometimes the virus is persistent in detectable levels up to 12 weeks after infection, but likely isnt infectious. For this reason, people previously diagnosed with symptomatic COVID-19 who are asymptomatic after recovery shouldnt undergo virus testing within three months after the date of symptom onset for the initial infection. However, some hospitals are routinely testing all patients for COVID-19 before being admitted to the hospital and before surgery.

According to recent data, there have been only four reported cases to date of COVID-19 reinfection (one each in China, Belgium, Netherlands, and Nevada).

Additional resources include CDC, State Department of Health, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and consult with specialists at a tertiary university hospital.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

My husband and I were completely self-isolated together from July 14-Aug. 21 after he was exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.

That was 38 days without being around any other person except for drive-by testing with people in full protective gear. Six days after symptoms appeared, my husband had symptoms. We both test nasal swab: Hes positive, Im negative. Two weeks later, I have symptoms, we both test nasal swab: We are both negative. On day 38 after exposure, we both have antibodies test from blood being drawn: Husband positive. Im negative.

Both my husband and I feel Ive had it. My symptoms were: Sore throat, fever (101 degrees), weird insane finger tingling, achesand pains, chills, cough, diarrhea, fatigue and insomnia that still lingers. Could I be negative twice for nasal swab, negative for antibodies, isolated with a positive person for 38 days, have COVID-19 symptoms andnot have it? Im so confused.

The answer:

Yes, it is possible, although unusual. One possible explanation is that your immune system neutralized the virus, and the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG antibodies did not stay long in your body. Another possibility is that you were infected with a different virus.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

I was with my cousin the day before she found out she had the virus. How long should I wait to be tested?

The answer:

You were in close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19. You should self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of contact with your cousin.

If you develop symptoms during those 14 days, you could be swab tested (molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR) for COVID-19, or be advised to self-isolate at home.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

I have lumpectomy scheduled in 10 days. I feel like a have a cold no fever, but congestion in nose with post nasal drip. I have to take aCOVID-19 test in a week to be cleared for surgery. Should I get tested now? Im worried if I test positive now I will delay my surgery.

But if I test positive in a week then it will delay even more. Should I test now or wait to get better and isolate and test in a week?

The answer:

Your symptoms are not severe nor typical for COVID-19, so I would wait, self-isolate to your home, and test in a week.

If you develop additional symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, then I would test sooner and notify your surgeon and primary care physician for instructions.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

My daughter spentfour days with friends; one friend tested positivetwo days after their weekend. I am suppose to babysit my grandson on Day 4. What are your thoughts? I am 68 years old and in good health.

The answer:

If your grandson was with the family and in close contact without a mask to the infected individual, he was exposed. Anyone who was in close contact with the individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days.

Jill D. Henning, associate professor of biology, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

My brother was in close contact with a friend on Aug. 22.On Aug. 25, that friend was symptomatic, and on Aug. 28, he tested positive. On Aug. 27, my mother had a two-hour-plus, close contact visit with my exposed brother. We all work in the same office. My brother has been working from home. My father lives with my mother, and I came into close contact with my mother and father on Aug. 28 for approximately two hours until they were notified of the friends positive result and left for home, the day after my mom had contact with my brother who was exposed to a positive case. We were less than six feet apart, no masks, shared spaceand objects.

My brother is getting tested now, and my motherand father are isolating. But based on this, am I at risk of having been exposed? I cant find anything definitive about my mother being contagious after less than 24 hours of coming into contact with my exposed brother. Do I isolate now or wait until brother gets a positive, and parents receive tests?

The answer:

Your brother was in close contact with your mother five days after exposure (in the time when he should have been quarantining). Your brother should be quarantining and at the very least wearing a mask when interacting with others.

Until you know the status of your brother, I suggest that you wear a mask when around others and have them wear a mask as well. If your brother is positive, your parents should self-isolate.

If your parents are positive, you should self-isolate.

Jill D. Henning, associate professor of biology, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

How long will it take to get my taste and smell back after being quarantined for 14 daysafter I tested positive?

The answer:

Some individuals are experiencing lasting complications from COVID-19. The scientific reports from these individuals say that symptoms can persist for weeks to months. Loss of taste and smell are the less dangerous side effects of SARS-CoV-2. Some are experiencing scarring in the lungs, brain fog and heart problems. More scientific studies need to be completed to determine the length and severity of these complications.

Jill D. Henning, associate professor of biology, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

My mother was given a COVID-19 test in the emergency room before being admitted to the hospital. Upon release, she was not given a test before returning to a personal care facility. I questioned this policy but was told she got a test upon admittance. Is this normal protocol at every hospital? There arevirus patients at the hospital. Should I get a test as her support person?

The answer:

Some hospitals are routinely testing all patients for COVID-19 in the ER, all patients that are being admitted, and all patients that are scheduled for surgery.

However, this is not a routine policy at every hospital. The reasoning for testing all patients admitted to the hospital and before surgery is for quality care, patient safety and the protection of health care personnel.

Should you get a test as her support person? Yes, you could be tested now, but how often should you be retested? Every two weeks? Every month? Every three months?

I recommend testing if you develop symptoms or fever.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

I am a 79-year-old female and in early February I had what appeared to be shingles. I broke out in sores across my back and I felt awful. My doctorprescribed Valacyclovir and I took it for about a month. I did not go in to his office due to the virus.

But I wonder now if I might have had COVID-19 or if shingles protected me from getting it?

The answer:

You could get a blood test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG antibodies. If your blood test is positive, it means you were previously infected, but doesnt tell when.

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of a different virus (varicella or chicken pox zoster virus).

Zoster (shingles) doesnt protect you from getting COVID-19.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

I first started showing symptoms June 8 and it felt like a horrible flu, but felt better and then suddenly started feeling bad but differently, constantly dehydrated even though I was drinking lots of water. Then I developed swollen lymph nodes and arrhythmia heart rate increases with the slightest movement at one point in the high 127 just going to the restroom. It goes down when lying or sitting but with movement it gets up there. I seen a cardiologist but he doesnt know what it is. I have done steroids,which seemed to help a little bit at first, but I got off of steroids and now same thing.

The cardiologist says my heart is responding to something but unsure what to do. I live in small town, I am concerned.

The answer:

Were still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on our bodies. COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) primarily attacks the lungs. However, it can also cause your body to produce an overactive immune response, which can lead to increased inflammation throughout the body. It can impair the hearts ability to pump blood and to send electrical beats. This can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm and heart muscle disease.

I recommend you request a referral to a university medical center for a second opinion. Im sure there are cardiology specialists there that can help you.

Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

My first test was negative. I left the state of California forfive daysand quarantined for 14 days.

Im not allowed home unless I provide a second negative test. Howand why?

The answer:

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Experts answer your COVID-19 questions: 'My brother is getting tested now, and my mother and father are isolating. But based on this, am I at risk of...