With every piece of news focussed on the pandemic, there is an overload of information! The question however is not limited to “what to do “it also needs to address “How to do “and more importantly “when to do”. Here are some very useful tips to ensure you are adequately armed to manage any challenge that Covid throws your way –
- Follow the thumb rule – In current times if you experience any of the following symptoms, – fever, bodyache , cough , cold , loss of taste or smell, unexplained diarrhoea, breathlessness – consider yourself Covid Positive , Unless proven otherwise! Do not wait for the report, treatment needs to start.
- The 1st step is Isolation at home – You DO NOT need a hospital immediately. Consult your doctor as soon as you experience symptoms.
- Do not self-medicate– Google, articles, Newspapers, watsapp are not a replacement for expert medical advice! While you may come across many people with similar symptoms and similar medicines, YOU may fall in the category who needs to be managed differently and under supervision !
- Follow the basics, We survived Wave 1!! – Maintain hand hygiene, Wear disposable masks- avoid reuse, Disinfect bathroom, toilet surfaces and frequently touched surfaces at home, Wash patient’s clothes and linen regularly. Most importantly – Maintain Social distancing!
- When isolated at home – Diligently maintain a vitals chart. Record your Saturation, Heart rate / Pulse, Fever, Diet intake every 4 hours! Compare it over the period of charting, also to what these readings are when you were fit (If recorded). Feed as much objective information as you can to your doctor.
- Give the right recovery environment to yourself – Be in a well-ventilated room and ensure other house members are in a different one. High protein, low fat food and lots of water intake should help you recover quick! Deep breathing exercises to be done whenever you can walk for 10 mins within the room. Don’t be sedentary for long!
Key is to identify early, have the right intervention and communicate often with your doctor!
