COVID-19 is a type of fatal infectious disease caused by a newly discovered Coronavirus. Most people who get infected with the virus will experience moderate respiratory illness. And, many patients may recover without requiring any special treatment. According to the reports of diagnostics in Hyderabad, older people, and those with underlying medical problems like diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illnesses due to coronavirus.

In many cases, people who are infected with coronavirus experience a mild or asymptomatic disease which can be treated at home. If you wish to know about how to treat covid at home, you must read the article below.

Precautions and Treatments to Take While Fighting Covid-19 at Home

It has been reported that most people who are sick with COVID-19 will only experience mild illness and can easily recover at home. The covid symptoms might last for a few days, and people who have the virus might start to feel better in about a week. Let’s look at the precautions we need to take and the treatments at home if affected with Covid-19.

1. Isolate yourself to maintain social distancing from the rest of your family
2. Strictly follow recommendations of your doctor
3. Talk to the medical professional if you have any questions about treatments
4. Take plenty of rest. Avoid strenuous activities and give your body sufficient rest to fight the infection
5. Use a home pulse oximeter to check breathing by measuring how much oxygen is in the blood. If the reading shows less than 92%, it might increase the need for hospitalization.
6. Keep your room well ventilated
7. Take plenty of fluids 
8. Avoid alcohol as it could result in dehydration
9. You can also take over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol

Stay in constant touch with your doctor and monitor your health regularly. The above steps are adequate to ensure recovery, but you must seek medical attention if:

1. Your condition worsens or lasts longer than it should
2. You face any difficulty in breathing
3. You observe a dip in saturation (It should be higher than 92%)
4. You feel any mental confusion
5. There is a pressure/pain in the chest

Now that you know how to take care of yourself at home when infected with the coronavirus (Covid-19) let’s look at how you can help a family member who’s infected.

How Can I Help a Family Member with COVID-19 at Home?

It is crucial to understand how caring for a sick person might affect your health. So, if you are older or have an existing medical condition, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, it would be better to isolate yourself from the sick person. While for the rest who wish to take  care of their family members affected with COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following measures:-

• Always Keep Your Hands Clean: Wash your hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds or use a sanitizer especially after being in close contact with the sick person. Also, you must try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Do Not Forget to Wear a Face Mask: If you need to stay in the same room with the COVID affected person, you must essentially wear a face mask. Further, stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the ill person. If your face mask gets wet or dirty, replace it with a clean, dry mask. You must throw away the used mask and wash your hands.
• Clean Your Home Frequently: Keep your household tidy by using cleaning sprays. You may also use wipes to clean surfaces that are often touched such as tabletops and doorknobs.
• Be Careful With Laundry: If you happen to be handling clothing that has been soiled by the sick person, you must wear disposable gloves and keep the items away from your body.

What is the Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease?

According to the CDC, the incubation period is somewhere between 2 to 14 days after exposure. Generally, more than 97% of people who contract COVID show symptoms within 10 to 12 days of exposure, as per the reports.

Summing up:-

If the COVID symptoms are not too severe, it can be treated at home. However, if the situation worsens, it is advisable to get treated at a medical centre or hospital. Although, COVID can be treated, it is better to take adequate measures to prevent it. You can protect yourself and others from coronavirus infection by washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask every time you step out, maintaining social distance and getting vaccinated.