Given the dreadful situation of hospital beds in our country during the current wave of Covid-19, many professionals and experts have suggested that not everyone needs hospitalization. The most common symptoms of covid are fever, coughing, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell. Asymptomatic patients or people with mild symptoms can easily be treated at home. Patients with moderate CT scans and with oxygen saturation levels above 94% can also undergo home isolation.
Here are some professional tips on how to treat Covid at home
- If you are treating coronavirus at home there are two essential equipment’s that are required – one is pulse oximeter and another one is thermometer. According to doctors, both needs to be used twice a day by the patient and records need to be tracked.
- If you are living with your family, the best practice for self-isolation is to have a separate room with a separate bathroom. Make sure that the room has enough ventilation.
- Please do not share utensils, linen or any other personal items with any member in the family. Patient should always use triple layer medical mask and discard masks after every 8 hours.
- There should be only one caregiver for the patient. The caregiver should always have a double mask on or a N95 and should maintain at least 1 meter distance while catering to the patient.
- Maintaining adequate hydration is very necessary for the patient hence patient should drink a lot of fluids and also take good amount of rest and not over exert. Drinking hot water is preferable.
- Patients must be in communication with their treating doctor and promptly report in case of any deterioration. Patient should keep updating their doctor about their body temperature and oxygen levels.
- Taking warm water betadine gargles and steam inhalation thrice a day is a must.
- Patient should eat the prescribed medicines on time and should try not to miss any dosage.
- It is better to lye down on your stomach rather than lying down on your back. This is because lying on the front of the body can stop the heart and stomach from pressing down on the lungs.
- Vitamic C, Viatmic D and zinc are some important supplements that should be taken alongside the medicines.
- Patient should eat a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods every day to get the vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, protein and antioxidants your body needs. Choose white meat and fish rather than read meat. Avoid processed meats because they are high in fat and salt. Opt for low fat versions of milk and dairy products and lastly avoid industrially produces trans fat like frozen foods, processed foods, cookies, spreads etc. https://jaipurbeat.com/2021/05/08/foods-that-help-in-building-immunity-during-covid/
- Water is the best choice, but you can also consume other drinks, for example lemon juice, tea and coffee. But be careful not to consume too much caffeine, and avoid sweetened fruit juices, syrups, fruit juice concentrates, fizzy and still drinks as they all contain sugar.
- Doing some lung exercises like yoga (anulom-vilom) or using spirometer three times a day will definitely help in fastening up the recovery.
- Seek Medical Attention immediately if –
- There is difficulty in breathing
- Dip in oxygen saturation (below 94%)
- Persistent pain in the chest
- Fever constantly above 101 even after eating paracetamol
- Mental confusion
- Bluish lips or face
- Patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 14 days have passed from onset of symptoms (or from date of sampling for asymptomatic cases).
Finally stay hopeful, read interesting novels, avoid watching negative news, listen to soothing music, watch comedy movies, have conversations with friends (on the phone) and remain cheerful.
This shall too pass.