Covid-19: How to protect yourself and others

Being down with Covid-19 or taking care of someone who is sick with it is not easy. You need to look at ways of protecting others if you’re sick and protecting yourself if you’re the caregiver for another person. Managing caregiving stress is important during this time.

If you’re down with the coronavirus disease, chances are you have a lot of questions about how to take care of yourself and when you will have to go to the hospital, among others. You will also need to know how to protect yourself and others from getting the illness if you’re taking care of a loved one who is sick or if you’ve got the virus yourself. Here are some pointers that can help ease the process.

How to protect others if you have Covid-19

If you are showing symptoms of Covid-19, there are a number of steps you need to take to protect others from getting the virus from you, especially if you’re living with your family or friends.

• Stay at home and isolate yourself

• Isolate yourself at home in a room that has good ventilation. Restrict contact with other residents of the home, stay at least 6 feet away from them if you have to come out of your room.

• Wear a face mask at all times

• Sanitize your hands often

• Sanitize your room and the home often

• Avoid sharing household items like towels, bedding, phones, dishes, etc

• Use tissues when sneezing and throw them away safely

How to protect yourself while taking care of a sick person

If you’re taking care of a loved one who is sick from the coronavirus, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

• Wear a face mask any time you’re in the same room as the patient. Stand at least 6 feet away from them while tending to them. Do not touch your mask. Change your mask as soon as it gets wet or dirty.

• Clean and sanitize your hands regularly. Wash them with soap for at least 20 seconds. Make sure the sanitizer you use contains a minimum of 60% alcohol.

• While tending to the sick person, wear your mask and gloves. Avoid contact with their fluids. Wash your hands after removing your gloves. Never reuse them.

• Clean and sanitize the home regularly

• Don’t encourage visitors till the illness has passed

Home treatment for Covid-19

Home treatment is a viable option for most people who fall sick with the coronavirus since the significant symptom is only a mild illness that will last for a few days. Treating and relieving the symptoms through fluids, rest, and pain-relieving medicines is the best option for such people. However, this is advised only for young adults and those who don’t have existing chronic illnesses.

Older folks and people with long-term medical conditions need to contact their medical service providers as soon as they show symptoms of the Covid-19 illness. These individuals are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill, may need to be hospitalized, and must start treatment within a few days of the symptoms showing up. In such cases, talk to your healthcare provider and listen to their recommendations.

Emergency signs to keep an eye out for

Here are some signs that may need immediate medical attention. If you notice any of them, contact your healthcare provider right away.

• A blood oxygen count of less than 92% on a pulse oximeter

• Constant pain or pressure in your chest

• You have trouble breathing

• You have trouble staying awake

• Your lips or face turn bluish

How to manage caregiving stress

If you’re taking care of a loved one who’s down with the coronavirus, it’s only natural that you may be feeling some stress. During this time, it is important to manage this stress so that you don’t burn out or have a mental breakdown. Here are some ways that can help you:

• Keep in touch with others via video calls or texts

• Get enough sleep

• Stay away from alcohol, tobacco or drugs

• Create a daily routine for yourself and include fun activities as well

• Don’t consume only Covid-19-related content

• Engage in physical activity

• Meditate

And the most important rule to remember is to talk to your family and friends and share your feelings and journey with them.