Home treatment for COVID-19 patients- Do’s and Dont’s

Many patients who become sick with COVID-19 will only experience mild illness and can easily recover at home. Symptoms might last for a few days and people might start feeling healthier in about a week. Here are some of the things to be followed while recovering at home.

• Stay at home all the time, unless there is a medical reason for travel.
• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands for more than 20 seconds, including in between your fingers and under fingers and under your nails using plenty of soap and water. Otherwise, use an alcohol-based sanitiser with more than 60% alcohol. Do this frequently, especially before you eat, after you use the restroom, blow your nose or cough, or before you touch your face.
• Cover your cough and sneeze. The best way to cough or sneeze is into your elbow.
• Stay in separate room with door closed. Use separate bathroom.
• Wipe all surfaces i.e. doorknobs, countertops, stairway railings and switches, you come into contact with. Any bleach-containing household product is effective.
• Wipe your phone with disinfectant wipes or 70% isopropyl alcohol as it touches your hands and your face often.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling cash or credit cards as their surface may have virus.
• Wear a facemask if you step out of your room or if someone enters your room. • Wash your hands before you wear your mask. Only touch ear loops.
• Protect your immune system by consuming balanced diet, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, getting enough sleep and maintain healthy weight.
• Daily monitor symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath, fever >102 F, loss of taste & smell. It is good to have a finger pulse oximeter at home to monitor oxygen saturation.
• Seek medical advice for chemoprophylaxisfor your family members.

Carefully keep an eye yourself or your close one for worsening symptoms. If symptoms appear to be getting worse, contact your treating doctor.

Home treatment for COVID -19 patients - Don’ts

Many patients who become sick with COVID-19 will only experience mild illness and can easily recover at home. Symptoms might last for a few days and people might start feeling healthier in about a week. Here are some of the things to be avoided while recovering at home.

• Don’t panic
• Don’t visit public areas. Don’t use public transport.
• Don’t shake hands or hug. Use an alternative greeting maintaining 6-8 feet distance.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, mouth or face without washing your hands
• Don’t share water, utensils, towels or bedding with family members.
• Don’t visit older relatives or community members, as they are most vulnerable. Discourage visitors.
• Don’t discontinue self-quarantine until instructed

Carefully keep an eye yourself or your close one for worsening symptoms. If symptoms appear to be getting worse, contact your treating doctor.