As infection rates are rapidly increasing, we felt it necessary to put together some tips on how to get through a coronavirus infection. Though there is no known cure for the virus, there are known ways to relieve it’s symptoms.
Know your symptoms
If you are feeling ill, it’s important to know if the symptoms shown are those of coronavirus so that you can take the right steps.
Common symptoms that have been specifically linked to COVID-19 include:
- shortness of breath
- a cough that gets more severe over time
- a low-grade fever that gradually increases in temperature
- chills
- fatigue
Less common symptoms include:
- Shaking with chills
- A sore throat
- headache
- muscle aches
- loss of taste or smell
- a stuffy or runny nose
- gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
- discoloration of fingers or toes
- pink eye
- rash
However, individuals with COVID-19 may have some, all, or none of the above symptoms.
Treating the symptoms
Though there is presently no confirmed treatment for the coronavirus, there are confirmed methods that can help ease or even treat some of the symptoms:
Treating a fever
If you have a high temperature or fever, it’s best to avoid strenuous activity and get lots of rest, avoid dehydration by drinking lots of fluid (water is best), also take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
Treating a cough
If you have a cough, it’s best to avoid lying on your back. Lie on your side or sit upright instead. To help ease the cough, use cough syrup, cough medication, and throat lozenges in case of a sore throat. Also, drink warm liquids like tea and hot soup.
If you’re feeling breathless
If you’re feeling breathless, it can help to keep your room cool, try opening a window for better air ventilation. If your nose is dry of feeling stuffed, you can use steam to moisten your nose and ease your breathing, this is especially useful during the dry season. Another method is to keep a moist cloth in front of your nose to help reduce the amount of dust you inhale, if you can afford it, it’s best to use a humidifier.
Additional tips for coping with COVID 19
Accept that you’re sick
Most people who get this virus have mild symptoms and don’t require hospitalization. However, you should keep in mind that your risk for hospitalization and severe illness increases with age and if you have any preexisting health issues. For most, the symptoms are more likely to be manageable at home, so try to have a doctor on call and avoid going out so as to get better and avoid exposing other people.
Contact your doctor
This isn’t the time to consult Dr. Google. Google helps, but for your own safety, you need contact with practicing medical personnel. If you don’t have a primary care physician, it would be a good idea to establish care with one now (even if you’re well) so you’ll know who to call in case you do get sick.
Reach out to friends or family members
It is not good to be alone in this state, you need to have someone who will check on you, confirm your condition, and help you in case the illness worsens. Don’t wait till such a case happens before you ask for help. If you live alone, ask family or friends who live nearby, are willing to help you and, if needed, could bring food or supplies to leave at your door. They should also be willing to keep their phones on at night for an emergency call if your health deteriorates. Ask them for their support and assure them that you will keep them posted if they’re needed.
Keep essentials at your bedside
As mentioned earlier, there are a number of medications that can help ease your condition, pain killers (paracetamol, ibuprofen e.t.c), cough syrup and medication, throat lozenges, also some daily supplements. Though these supplements don’t help cure the virus, they strengthen your body’s immune system which is essential for your recovery. We recommend vitamin D3, Zinc, and vitamin C supplements. Finally, a large insulated water bottle filled with water so trips to the kitchen could be less frequent.
Shower
Warm water and steam can temporarily ease many COVID-19 symptoms. For your safety, it’s important that you take precautions before getting in the shower, consider sitting in your shower or simply taking a bath, but don’t risk it if you are feeling wobbly or dizzy when you get out of bed.
Remember, COVID 19 is not a death sentence, there are overwhelmingly more people who recover from it than those who don’t, just know, even at the worst of it, that it will pass, and always have faith in your recovery. Thank you for reading, stay healthy, stay blessed.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How to treat coronavirus symptoms at home
Everything You Should Know About the 2019 Coronavirus and COVID-19
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