Staying or being positive is the probably the advice we have heard the most all our lives, but it is surely not quite an advice or news you, me or anyone would like to hear in these trying times. But nevertheless the virus is wide spread and people are getting infected. You may take all the possible precautions but you may still catch it. So what’s the plan after you catch the virus? You should firstly know that even if you get infected you need not necessarily need to be hospitalized, 80% of the patients do not need to be admitted and can be treated at their homes only. So here is a 5-point plan for you if you test positive for the virus and are getting yourself treated at home.
- Stay at home expect for visiting your doctor You should be at your home and probably isolated in your room at all times, only in case of visiting your doctor for medical advice or examination, you should move out. Do not go anywhere else such as your workplace, school, grocery shopping etc. Also while visiting your doctor do not travel by public transport and try avoiding taxis as well, as they will be used by a number of people after you.
- Approach for medical advice One of the first things you can do after receiving your diagnosis is contact the doctor for follow-up advice. A licensed medical professional will advise you in the most possible manner, from the medications you'd need to take to the lifestyle adjustments you'd need to make to the path you'd need to take. Inform the doctor whether you have co-morbidities or are getting care for other illnesses. Remember, self-medication is not a good idea.
- Deciding who will be taking care of you Even if you have mild symptoms and are getting treated yourself have home, you should decide upon a person who will be helping you while you are fighting the infection. It is advised that the person taking care of you should be young and healthy, and should not have any medical conditions such as hyper tension, diabetes etc. otherwise the risk of them getting infected through you gets higher. Even if you are not living with your family and stay alone, ask someone who can help you with basic and essentials so that you do not have to go outside and put others health at risk.
- Watching out for the symptoms It's important to keep track of the symptoms for the first two weeks after exposure. According to experts, symptoms and infection incidence swell between 5 and 10 days after infection. Day 8 or 9 is also when the immune system goes into overdrive and triggers a cascade of events, like a cytokine surge. If patients' conditions may not improve after this period, further testing could be ordered.
- Ending your quarantine period Currently, regulators consider a COVID patient to be the most infectious for 14 days, during which the patient is released from isolation. Consult the doctor about it and take the necessary precautions. Before you can finish your isolation time, you'll need to sanitize your living room, separate your garbage, and clean your surroundings. But even after your quarantine period ends you may see some post Covid effects such as tiredness, loss of breath after little physical exercise etc. so you need to follow up about your medications with your doctor. Also, even though the quarantine period is generally only 14 days long, make sure you get yourself tested and get a negative report before ending your quarantine period.
Getting tested positive for corona virus and a 14 days’ quarantine that follows can be a tough phase for a lot of us. But make sure you have a healthy attitude and will power, it would help you sail through these days a little better. Take your medications and precautions and you will be back in just a matter of few days. Stay happy, hopeful and safe!
