WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAVE COVID 19 ILLNESS ?

First you have to understand if your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. The spectrum of symptomatic infection ranges from mild to critical; most infections are not severe. Some patients with initially non-severe symptoms may progress over the course of a week. But most of case have only mild to moderate symptoms and chances of recovery are very good, so there is no need to get worried or panic. In all the cases of COVID 19 disease you should follow all the precautions suggested here.

When to seek emergency urgent medical attention?

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

• If oxygen level on the oximeter shows less than 94%

• If fever of more than 101 degree F persists for 3 days.

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please immediately consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Who is most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19?

People aged 60 years and over, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, obesity or cancer, are at higher risk of developing serious illness.

However, anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age

Can I stay with COVID 19 patient in same house?

If you have to share space, make sure the room has good air flow. Open the window to increase air circulation, improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.

If possible keep a separate bedroom and bathroom for a person who is sick and person who is sick should stay in their own “sick room” or area and away from others. If you share a room, place beds at least 1 metre apart.

The person who is sick should eat (or be fed) in their room, if possible. Everyone at home should try to stay at least 6 feet away from the sick person.

How to handle things used by person with COVID 19 disease?

Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any dishes, cups/glasses used by the person who is sick with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher. Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

Can I share personal Items with person with COVID?

Avoid sharing personal items. Do not share: Do not share dishes, cups/glasses, silverware, towels, bedding, or electronics (like a cell phone) with the person who is sick.

Should I wear or Mask or Gloves at home also?

The person who is sick should wear mask when they are around other people. Put on a mask and ask the sick person to put on a mask before entering the room. Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing.

Wear gloves when you touch or have contact with the sick person’s blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit, and urine. Throw out gloves into a lined trash can and wash your hands right away.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Tell everyone in the home to do the same, especially after being near the person who is sick.

When to disinfect home?

If someone in your home is sick or someone who has COVID-19 has been in your home in the last 24 hours, clean and disinfect your home.

How to clean surfaces and objects at home?

Cleaning with a household cleaner that contains soap or detergent reduces the amount of germs on surfaces and objects and decreases risk of infection from surfaces. In most situations, cleaning alone removes most virus particles on surfaces. Clean high-touch surfaces and objects regularly (for example, daily or after each use)

What surface disinfectants are effective against COVID-19 for disinfection at home?

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach / chlorine) may be used at a recommended concentration of 0.1% or 1,000ppm (1 part of 5% strength household bleach to 49 parts of water).

Alcohol at 70-90% can also be used for surface disinfection. Surfaces must be cleaned with water and soap or a detergent first to remove dirt, followed by disinfection by wiping surface with cloth or wipe which is soaked in the disinfectant.

How to cope with stress and anxiety during this situation?

It alright to feel anxious or worried about COVID-19. You may also feel feel stressed, lonely, or tired of not being able to do your usual activities. You can take care of yourself by trying to:

• Take breaks from the news

• Get regular exercise and eat healthy foods

• Find activities that you enjoy and can do at home

• Stay in touch with your friends and family members

Keep in mind that most people do not get severely ill from COVID-19. It helps to be prepared, and it's important to do what you can to lower your risk and help slow the spread of the virus. But try not to panic. Read more about coping with stress.

When a person who has been sick with COVID 19 can be around others?

If you had been sick, you can be around others after:

• 10 days since symptoms first appeared and

• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and

• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*

*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​

People who are severely ill with COVID-19 might need to stay home longer than 10 days and up to 20 days after symptoms first appeared

Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last exposure to that person.

How long it takes to recover form COVID 19 Illness?

The symptom resolution depend upon premorbid risk factors as well as the severity of the acute illness. Individuals with mild infection are expected to recover relatively quickly (eg, within two weeks) whereas many individuals with severe disease have a longer time to recovery (eg, two to three months).

What are symptoms which can persist even after recovering from COVID 19 disease?

The most common persistent symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, cough, and cognitive deficits. These symptoms can occur after even after mild or moderate disease. Other physical symptoms can also continue beyond a few weeks. These include problems with sense of smell or taste, headache, runny nose, joint or muscle pain, trouble sleeping or eating, sweating, and diarrhea.

It's hard for doctors to predict when symptoms will improve, since this is different for different people. Your recovery will depend on your age, your overall health, and how severe your COVID-19 symptoms are. Some symptoms, like fatigue, might continue even while others improve or go away.

When should you take medical help?

Some fatigue even after recovery is common, and can persist for a few weeks. But if you had COVID-19 and continue to have bothersome symptoms (such as severe fatigue, or chest discomfort or shortness of breath) after 2 to 3 weeks, take medical help. if there is any worsening of symptoms, then also take medical help.

Depending on the symptoms, you might require further test for evalution of persisting symptoms and treatment accordingly.

Most important thing is that stay positive and strong to overcome this illness. Help each other in this greatest crisis for humanity in recent years. Together we can overcome this pandemic.

REQUEST: Please become a Plasma Donor if possible, after you have recovered from COVID 19. It may save many lives and it will be the greatest act of generosity from your side.

Dr Rahul Gupta, MD (Medicine)

Senior Consulatant Physician

Swastik Medical Centre