Safely managing coronavirus treatment –before emergency services – at home

Managing and overcoming the coronavirus pandemic has left little room for anything else in our lives – family members can easily fall ill as the virus is highly contagious. Although it is rare for an infected patient to remain at home, there are precautions to consider for those living in the same household as the aforementioned patient.

“If someone has symptomatic COVID-19, you want to treat the room that they stay in, in a sense, like a hospital room: you have to treat that room as infected,” said Dr. Gregory A. Poland, an American physician, vaccinologist and a Mayo Clinic COVID-19 expert. According to studies and data reviewed by Dr. Poland, the transmission rate of the coronavirus could be as high as 60%. Obviously, when you live in the same home as an infected person, the risk goes up dramatically due to sheer daily exposure.

But to limit this exposure,the patient should be isolated in their own room for at least 14 days, even after symptoms subside. Dr. Poland has advised limited movement in or out of that room during this time, but if necessary, the patient should wear a mask each time they come outside their room. Any surfaces that the patient comes into direct physical contact with should be thoroughly disinfected.

Family members should also practice frequent hand-washing and keep the family pets away from the patient.Besides being careful not to get infected themselves, the caretakers need to make sure the patient is well hydrated and rested; and immediately contact a medical care provider if emergency signs present, such as troubled breathing, chest pains, and bluish lips or face.

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Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies