According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of COVID-19 infections are mild. 15% progress to severe infection which requires oxygen assistance, and 5% progress to the critical stage and need a ventilator to help with breathing. The World Health Organization also mentioned that if you have been tested positive for COVID-19 and are showing mild symptoms, chances are, you will be able to recover without treatment or hospitalization.
Once it is confirmed that you have the novel coronavirus, your doctor may likely recommend for you to stay at home, self-isolate for 14 days, and rest. Before you enter the 14-day isolation period, our team from The Village Doctor would like to share some advice on how to manage your mild COVID-19 symptoms from home:
Medicinal Options
You can use Tylenol (acetaminophen) to help relieve pain and fever. You can also use Advil (ibuprofen) to help with fever, aches, and sore throat. If you have asthma or any pulmonary illnesses, continue to use your inhaled medications as advised by your doctor. Prevent using nebulizers as it increases the transmission of COVID-19 through droplets nuclei and aerosol.
Holistic medicine can be effective as well. Brewing natural herbs with mint, ginger, or honey and taking steamy showers helps with daytime coughing. If you are having trouble sleeping, get in touch with your doctor and request a stronger cough suppressant to provide relief against nighttime cough.
Continuous Monitoring
Many people have been able to successfully manage their COVID-19 symptoms from home and recover. Most people with mild symptoms will experience a range from feeling almost asymptomatic to feelings effects similar to the flu. However, it is important to monitor for warning signs that your case COVID-19 could become more severe. As a precaution, ask a family member or a close friend to regularly check on you in case of any emergency situation.
It may be helpful to have a pulse oximeter (oxygen monitor) on hand. Even if your oxygen levels appear to be in the normal range (>93%), if you start experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or have persistent pains or chest pressure, call a medical institution for immediate assistance. The Village Doctor’s phone number may come in handy and we highly recommend saving it on your mobile phone.
Structured daily schedule
If you test positive for COVID-19, your doctor will likely ask you to go on quarantine for 14 days to slow the spread of the virus. Being sick and isolated can become quite difficult. Beyond monitoring the state of your physical health, it is also important to look after your mental state.
Having a structured daily schedule will help you maintain high levels of productivity. We recommend that your day consists of at least 8 hours of sleep, 60 minutes of exercise, some meditation, healthy eating, and the time for your medicine intake. It is amazing how far technology has gone, and we recommend taking advantage of all the technological resources we now have on hand. If you have Wi-Fi at home, it can be fun to get comfortable watching Netflix, play your favorite songs, or video conference with your family. We also have created the TVD quarantine kit to provide you with some fun activities to kill time. You can download it here.
Home Isolation Recommendations
Quarantine is important because it keeps someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others so they do not spread the disease even further. If you have mild Covid-19 symptoms, stay home, separate from others, and monitor your health. As discussed in one of our FAQs, “when to stop home isolation if you have tested positive for COVID”, and based on the CDC website recommendations, if you have been tested positive or had a presumed diagnosis by your doctor, you can stop home isolation once:
– You have had no fever without medicine for at least 72 hours,
– Other symptoms have improved, and
– At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
If you share your living space, testing is not required for people living with you, however, they should also quarantine for 14 days. If possible, try to isolate yourself from others in the household by staying in a separate bedroom and, if possible, use a separate bathroom.
Call to Action:
Do you need further advice from one of our doctors on how to manage your mild COVID-19 at home? Please give us a call or send us a message if you have any questions or concerns for yourself and your family.
