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Mayo Clinic: treating COVID-19 at home

The Mayo Clinic has shared information  on  how  to treat COVID-19 at home, with care tips.

The Mayo Clinic, headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, is a not-for-profit organization academic medical center  focused on integrated clinical practice, education, and research. It employs over 4,500 physicians and scientists, along with another 58,400 administrative and allied health staff.  It has additional locations in Arizona and Florida.

Although Hawaii has only 442 cases (low  in comparison to other states), with 6 deaths,  and the State Department of Health lists Hawaii Island with only 28 cases, it is likely the case count will continue to grow.  Everybody in the state is under a stay-at-home order and if out, urged to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet from others.  Nevertheless, knowing what to do IF somebody gets COVID-19 could be helpful.

The information was compiled by the Mayo Clinic Staff and shared in the free, online Mayo Clinic Housecall newsletter.  There’s more information from the Mayo Clinic at its web site, MayoClinic.org

The Mayo Clinic has a special COVID-19 page, which includes a self-assessment for COVID-19.

Treating COVID-19 at home: Care tips for you and others

If you have coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and you’re caring for yourself at home or you’re caring for a loved one with COVID-19 at home, you might have questions. How do you know when emergency care is needed? How long is isolation necessary? What can you do to prevent the spread of germs? How can you support a sick loved one and manage your stress? Here’s what you need to know.

At-home treatment

Most people who become sick with COVID-19 will only experience mild illness and can recover at home. Symptoms might last a few days, and people who have the virus might feel better in about a week. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and includes rest, fluid intake and pain relievers.

Follow the doctor’s recommendations about care and home isolation for yourself or your loved one. Talk to the doctor if you have any questions about treatments.

It’s also important to consider how caring for a sick person might affect your health. If you are older or have an existing chronic medical condition, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, you may be at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19. You might consider isolating yourself from the sick person and finding another person to provide care.

Emergency warning signs

Carefully monitor yourself or your loved one for worsening symptoms. If symptoms appear to be getting worse, call the doctor.

If you or the person with COVID-19 experiences emergency warning signs, medical attention is needed immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency number if the sick person can’t be woken up or you notice any emergency signs, including:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent chest pain or pressure
  • New confusion
  • Bluish lips or face

Protecting others if you’re ill

If you’re ill with COVID-19, you can help prevent the spread of infection.

  • Stay home from work, school and public areas unless it’s to get medical care.
  • Avoid using public transportation.
  • Stay isolated in one room, away from your family and other people, as much as possible. Open windows to keep air circulating. Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Avoid shared space in your home as much as possible. When using shared spaces, limit your movements. Keep your kitchen and other shared spaces well ventilated. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from your family members.
  • Clean often-touched surfaces in your separate room and bathroom, such as doorknobs, light switches and counters, every day.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items, such as dishes, towels and bedding.
  • Wear a face mask when near others. Change the face mask each day.
  • If wearing a face mask isn’t possible, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Afterward, throw away the tissue or wash the handkerchief.
  • Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Protecting yourself while caring for someone with COVID-19

To protect yourself while caring for someone with COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend:

  • Keep your hands clean and away from your face. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in close contact or in the same room as the sick person. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Consider wearing a face mask. If you need to be in the same room with the person who is ill and he or she isn’t able to wear a face mask, wear a face mask. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the ill person. Don’t touch or handle your mask while you are using it. If your mask gets wet or dirty, replace it with a clean, dry mask. Throw away the used mask and wash your hands.
  • Clean your home frequently. Every day, use household cleaning sprays or wipes to clean surfaces that are often touched, including counters, tabletops and doorknobs. Avoid cleaning the sick person’s separate room and bathroom. Set aside bedding and utensils for the sick person only to use.
  • Be careful with laundry. Use regular detergent to wash the sick person’s laundry. Thoroughly dry it. If you are handling clothing that has been soiled by the sick person, wear disposable gloves and keep the items away from your body. Wash your hands after removing the gloves. Place dirty gloves and masks in a waste bin with a lid in the sick person’s room.
  • Avoid direct contact with the sick person’s bodily fluids. Wear disposable gloves and a face mask when providing oral and respiratory care and when handling stool, urine or other waste. Wash your hands before and after removing your gloves and mask. Don’t reuse your mask or gloves.
  • Avoid having unnecessary visitors in your home. Don’t allow visitors until the sick person has completely recovered and has no signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

Ending isolation

The CDC recommends the following guidelines for ending home isolation after you’ve had COVID-19.

  • If you won’t have a test to determine if you’re still contagious, you can leave home if three full days have passed with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine, other symptoms have improved, and at least 14 days have passed since your symptoms started.
  • If you’ll be tested to determine if you’re still contagious, you can leave home if you no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine, other symptoms have improved, and you’ve had two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. However, testing isn’t available in all areas.

As the sick person’s caregiver, the WHO also recommends that you monitor your health for 14 days after the start of the sick person’s symptoms. Talk to your doctor regularly about your health during this period.

Coping with caregiving stress

As you or your loved one recover, seek emotional support. Stay connected to others through texts, phone calls or videoconferences. Share your concerns. Avoid too much COVID-19 news. Rest and focus on enjoyable activities, such as reading, watching movies or playing online games.

As you take care of a loved one who is ill with COVID-19, you might feel stressed too. You might worry about your health and the health of the sick person. This can affect your ability to eat, sleep and concentrate, as well as worsen chronic health problems. It may also increase your use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

If you have a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, continue with your treatment. Contact your doctor or mental health professional if your condition worsens.

To care for yourself, follow these steps:

  • Maintain a daily routine, including showering and getting dressed.
  • Take breaks from COVID-19 news, including social media.
  • Eat healthy meals and stay hydrated.
  • Exercise.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Avoid use of drugs and alcohol.
  • Stretching, breathe deeply or meditate.
  • Focus on enjoyable activities.
  • Connect with others and share how you are feeling.

Caring for yourself can help you cope with stress. It will also help you be able to support your loved one’s recovery.

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