COVID-19 has infected millions of people worldwide, but not everyone battles the same symptoms or severity of symptoms.
AccordingAccoriding to the report of the ers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who develop symptoms have a mild illness and can recover at home.
Most people with COVID-19feel better within a few weeks. You may be a pro at fighting a cold or the flu, but here’s what you need to know about treating a mild case of COVID-19 at home. Read on to find more about it.
Symptoms of COVID-19
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The symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever (a temperature above 37.8°C or skin which feels hot to touch).
- A continuous cough.
- A loss to your sense of smell or taste.
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Sore throat.
- Aches and pains.
- So if you experience fever, lose your sense of smell or taste, and continuous cough, you should self-isolate immediately.
Emergency Warning Signs Or Symptoms
If you’re an ill person and have risk factors for severe illness with COVID-19 symptoms, the doctor might recommend the use of a home pulse oximeter.
This device help check breathing by measuring how much oxygen is in the blood and a reading of less than 92% might increase the need for hospitalization.
Also, make sure you understand how to use the device properly and when reading should prompt a call to the doctor.
Emergency signs or symptoms include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- New confusion
- Bluish lips or face
- Inability to stay awake
How To Protect Others If You’re ill?
If you’re ill with COVID-19, you can help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Make sure to stay home unless it’s to get medical care.
- Try to avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing services, or taxis.
- Stay isolated in one room and keep a distance from your family and other people, as much as possible.
- Clean often-touched surfaces in your isolated room such as bathroom, doorknobs, light switches, electronics, and counters, every day.
- Avoid sharing personal household items.
- Make sure to wear a face mask when near others and change the face mask each day.
- Try to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Also, read, The Importance Of Nutrients To Boost Your Immunity To Covid-19
How To Protect Yourself While Caring For Someone With COVID-19?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in close contact or the same room as the sick person. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. And avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the ill person and make sure to wear a face mask.
- Clean your home frequently, use household cleaning sprays or wipes to clean surfaces that are often touched.
- Avoid cleaning the sick person’s separate room and bathroom. Set aside bedding and utensils for the sick person only to use.
- If you are handling clothing that has been soiled by the sick person, wear disposable gloves and keep the items away from your body. Wash your hands after removing the gloves. Place dirty gloves and masks in a waste bin with a lid in the sick person’s room.
- Wear gloves while handling dishes, cups, or utensils used by the sick person. And make sure to wash the items with soap and hot water or in the dishwasher.
- Wear disposable gloves and a face mask when providing oral and respiratory care and when handling stool, urine, or other waste.
- Don’t allow visitors until the sick person has completely recovered and has no signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
Tools To Ease COVID-19 symptoms
Few gadgets can help alleviate your symptoms and keep you in the loop on how your body is progressing.
- Humidifier.
- Extra clean laundry.
- Thermometer or thermal temperature scanner.
- Pulse oximeter.
How to Treat Yourself at Home If You Have a Mild Case of COVID-19?
- Getting plenty of rest
While fighting for COVID-19 expect your body to be busy. Give yourself plenty of time to rest, you’ll help provide your body with the energy it needs to get the job done.
- Drink plenty of water
Make sure you’re adequately hydrated, which can help alleviate several symptoms. Increased sweating due to fevers and drinking lots of water can help replenish the extra water you’re losing.
- Eat healthy meals and stay hydrated.
- Exercise.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid the use of drugs and alcohol.
- Stretching, breathe deeply, or meditate.
- Focus on enjoyable activities.
- Connect with others and share how you are feeling.
Medicines to treat symptoms
The best medicines to treat will depend on your:
- symptoms
- other medical conditions
- any other medication you’re taking
But before taking any medication, it’s important to seek any advice a healthcare professional gives you.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains. It is usually recommended as the first-line of treatment for most people.
- Antibiotics do not work against COVID-19 or any viruses. Also, they will relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery. So COVID-19 virus cannot be treated by antibiotics.
- Ibuprofen: It’s okay to take, but there is no evidence that they are unsafe.
If you know you have COVID-19, you should self-quarantine for the 10 days after your symptoms first appeared and 24 hours have passed since your last fever (without using a fever reducer) and any other COVID-19 symptoms, such as dry cough, are improving.
Care for yourself is important, it can help you be able to support your loved one’s recovery.
But keep in mind, however, life after recovering from COVID-19 still means practicing social distancing, wearing a mask, and avoiding gatherings or other risky activities.
STAY HEALTHY, STAY SAFE..
Also, read COVID-19, Mental Health And How To Keep Yourself Busy
