Looking after yourself in home isolation with covid 19 infection
Covid-19 is a virus and an infected person shows flu like symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, bodyache, headache, vomiting and loose stools. It can progress to pneumonia with mild to severe degree of infection depending on the involvement of the both lungs.
How to manage symptoms of covid 19 infection and identify the danger sign for admission to hospital
SYMPTOM 1: Fever
Fever can be low grade to high grade in this disease. It can be easily managed with anti-pyretic medications which are paracetamol, meftal forte (OTC drug) which are easily available in the market. Fever more than 100 should also be managed by tap water sponging of whole body as it is a viral disease sometimes the fever is high and does not respond to drug therapy. Water sponging helps in lowering the fever and save the patient from going into dehydration.
Dehydration because of high grade persistent fever, decreased oral intake in terms of food and water also adds to worsening condition of patient. Dehydration further causes severe muscle aches, nausea and extreme lethargy to the patients.
Dehydration can be managed by giving frequent oral liquids like ORS, coconut water, buttermilk, soups and soft meals.
SYMPTOM 2: Bodyaches and extreme weakness or mayalgia
Myalgia or bodyache and extreme weakness of muscles is part of the illness and remains for a long time in most of the patients. adequate rest, paracetamol, hydration and nutrition can manage bodyache easily. Patients should be warned for not doing aggressive exercise in post viral recovery state and take adequate rest. Total time for recover for post viral weakness goes upto 3 to 4 weeks.
SYMPTOM 3: Cough
This is one of the major symptoms which needs careful attention. Coughing can be mild to severe and not necessarily related to the degree of pneumonia means involvement of lungs in this disease. Cough can be managed with steam, nebulization and dry cough syrups (cough suppressants only).
For mild to moderate cough can be easily managed at home with careful monitoring of oxygen by oxymeter. A small device available in market. A oxygen saturation of more than 92% -94% at room air can be managed at home.
“A study published by oxford university in lancet respiratory medicine says 2 puffs of budesonide daily for 14 days could reduce the risk of hospitalization in mild to moderate ill Covid patients by 91% especially if they start taking it as soon as symptoms of sore throat and cough starts”
Nebulization machines are available in market and can be easily used by patients after a review with their physicians.
SYMPTOM 4: Sore throat
Mild sore throat and difficulty in swallowing to hoarseness of speech can occur in Covid patients. Mild to moderate sore throat can be managed with warm saline gargles, mild decongestant (after a written prescription by doctor). Do not use too hot liquids like hot water, frequent hot tea, in attempt to correct sore throat.
If pain is severe in throat and unable to swallow and hoarseness of voice, you must visit your physician.
SYMPTOM 5: Loose stools and vomiting:
It is a viral illness and gives rise to watery stools to moderately loose stools with increased frequency of viral diarrheas. It can be managed with ORS, probiotics and light meals. Antibiotics have no role in the treatment of viral diarrheas. anti-emetics and medication of simple acidity or gastritis can be used for vomiting and acidity or abdominal discomfort.
Monitoring of patients during entire duration of Covid-19 illness us vitals. Following to be monitored every day:
Blood pressure
Blood sugar for diabetic patients
Temperature assessment
Oxygen saturation by pulse oxymeter
Adequate nutrition and hydration
Red flag signs (means patient requiring urgent medical attention and hospitalization)
Persistent cough with chest pain and difficulty in breathing
Decreasing oxygen levels
Giddiness because of falling blood pressure or falling levels of oxygen
Persistent high grade fever not responding to drug therapy
Thankyou doctor
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