If you’re suffering from COVID-19 or are taking care of your family member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, then I’m sure you have a million questions in your mind. How long do I need to stay in isolation? Are there any emergency warning signs of hospitalization? How to protect my other family members from COVID-19? What guidelines do I need to follow for patient care at home? As daunting as these questions might be, I’ve got an answer to every question of yours.
Most of the COVID-19 patients develop only mild symptoms. Therefore, doctors recommend such patients to undergo home quarantine treatment. Take a look at the following guidelines to provide proper care to your loved ones!
How to Provide Basic Support to the COVID-19 Patient?
- Help your loved one to follow doctors’ instructions. Most COVID-19 patients develop only mild symptoms that disappear within a week if doctors’ instructions are followed properly.
- You have to make sure that the patient doesn’t feel dehydrated. Therefore, help the patient drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
- Try to help the patient with basic everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and filling of prescriptions. If possible, consider the home delivery of essential items.
- Take care of any pets that the patients might have. Also, try to limit the contact between the patient and his/her pet.
- Check with your doctor if any over the counter medicines can help with the fever. Help the patient take such medicines only if prescribed by the patients’ healthcare provider.
Emergency Signs to Watch Out For:
While providing at-home care to the COVID-19 patient, you need to watch out for any warning signs that you or the patient might experience. This is especially important if you or the patient suffer from any co-morbidities.
If you or the COVID-19 patient require any sort of medical care then immediately call your healthcare provider. You can also use the CDC self-checker tool to make any medical decision.
If you notice any of the following emergency signs, then call for help immediately:
- Breathlessness
- The patient starts behaving strangely or experiences some sort of confusion.
- Bluish lips or face.
- Persistent pain in the chest.
How to Protect Your Family if You Fall Sick?
If you fall sick with COVID-19, then by taking the following safety measures, you can protect your family members. Check it out!
- Avoid going to public places such as schools, markets, colleges, offices, etc. as much as possible. Only go out if you’re seeking medical care.
- Isolate yourself as much as possible. Stay in only one room of the house and use separate utensils for eating. Open the windows of your room for better ventilation. COVID-19 can spread easily in poorly ventilated areas. Use a separate bathroom as well if possible.
- Surfaces such as doorknobs, electric switches, AC, etc. should be cleaned as much as possible. These surfaces can become a breeding ground for the coronavirus.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as combs, bedsheets, towels, etc. Also, wear a mask at all times whenever you’re around anybody. If you can’t wear a face mask then try to cover your nose and mouth with a cloth or tissue while sneezing and coughing.
- Wash your hands multiple times during the day. Follow the CDC guidelines for handwashing and social distancing.
How to Protect Yourself while Caring for a COVID-19 Patient?
- After coming in contact with the COVID-19 patient, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have any soap lying around, then use an alcohol-based sanitizer to clean your hands.
- Avoid touching your face after coming in contact with the COVID-19 patient.
- If you need to be in the same room as the COVID-19 patient, then wear a face mask and a pair of gloves at all times. Also, stay at a distance of at least 6 feet from the patient.
- Regularly clean surfaces such as doorknobs, doors, stovetops, kitchen counters, etc. with regular house cleaning products.
- Don’t just shake the patients’ dirty laundry. Clean it properly using regular detergent and warm water. Also, dry the clothes in natural sunlight.
- Keep separate utensils, towels, bedsheets, combs, etc. for the patient.
- Wear gloves around the patient at all times and avoid contact with infected body fluids.
- Finally, don’t allow any visitors to meet the patient until he/she is fully recovered.
Hopefully, these guidelines will provide answers to any questions that may pop in your head. Taking care of a COVID-19 patient at home won’t be a difficult task if you follow all these guidelines carefully. In case of any doubt, refer to the guidelines on the CDC and WHO website. Also, before taking any medicines consult your healthcare provider. Stay safe and stay healthy!
