With the new strain of coronavirus spreading around the world, you might be concerned that your respiratory symptoms mean you have COVID-19. You are more likely to have a common respiratory infection, such as the flu or a common cold. However, it’s important to take your symptoms seriously and contact your doctor to avoid unpleasant surprises. If you are sick, your doctor will help you get the treatment you need.
Recognize the symptoms
1-Beware of coughs which may or may not produce mucus. COVID 19 is a respiratory infection that doesn’t cause as many symptoms as infections like the common cold or the flu. Coughing is a common symptom, which may or may not cause phlegm. Talk to your doctor if you have a cough and think you have COVID-19
- You may have COVID-19 if your area is already affected by the disease and you have been in contact with someone who may be infected, or if you have recently traveled to a place with a high prevalence rate.
- If you have a cough, cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve to prevent other people from getting infected. You can also wear a surgical mask to trap droplets that could infect other people.
- Until you have fully recovered, stay away from people who are in groups at high risk of infection and complications, such as people over 65, babies, children, pregnant women, and people. who are taking drugs that suppress their immune system.
2-Take your temperature. The new strain of coronavirus usually causes a fever. Use a thermometer to take your temperature and see if it reaches 38 ° C or higher, which means you have a fever. In this case, contact your doctor to find out the cause and stay at home while following an appropriate treatment.
- When you have a fever, you are probably contagious no matter what illness you have. It is important that you protect others by staying at home.
Keep in mind that a fever is a symptom of many illnesses, which doesn’t necessarily mean you have COVID-19.
3-Get emergency treatment for shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is the latest common symptom of COVID-19. Since breathing problems are always a serious symptom, you should see your doctor, an emergency care center, or go to the hospital right away for proper treatment. You may have a serious illness, whether or not it’s COVID-19
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this strain of coronavirus can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia. See your doctor right away if you have breathing problems, just in case
Warning: People with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, are especially vulnerable to life-threatening infections from COVID-19. Babies and the elderly are also likely to develop complications, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. If you are in danger or if someone you care for is, take special care to avoid exposure to infected people or animals.
4-Look for less common symptoms. Cough, fever and feeling tired are the most common symptoms, but some people have others. Signs of Sars-CoV-2 could for example be loss of taste or smell, sore throat, pain, headache, diarrhea, rash, conjunctivitis or discoloration of the fingers. or toes, vomiting, nasal congestion, runny nose, or chills.
- Your worry is quite natural, but remember that you are unlikely to have COVID-19 if you have symptoms other than fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Tip: If you are young and healthy, you may have very mild symptoms of COVID-19. If you’ve recently traveled or dated someone with COVID-19, call your doctor in case you have respiratory symptoms to find out if you need to be tested. In the meantime, stay home so you don’t infect other people.
1-Contact your doctor immediately. If you think you have COVID-19, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Take your symptoms seriously if you think there is a risk that you will be sick. A severe infection with COVID-19 can be life threatening. Call your doctor to find out if they think you need to be tested for the coronavirus. Let them know your symptoms and let them know if you have recently traveled, been in contact with a potentially sick person, or with a potentially infected animal. Follow your doctor’s advice, either by coming for a test or staying at home to monitor your symptoms.
- Before your arrival, let the staff at the doctor’s office know that you think you have COVID-19. This will help them take precautions to prevent you from spreading the disease to other patients.
2-Get tested if your doctor recommends it. If your doctor thinks you might have the coronavirus, they will most likely give you a test. With a prescription, you will have priority and take the test faster. You should have the result between 24 hours and three days.
- You can take a test in a University Hospital Center (CHU), in a laboratory or in a mobile unit. You will find the testing center closest to you.
3-Go into quarantine if the result is positive. If you do not need to be hospitalized, stay at home and avoid contact with family and friends so as not to infect them. As there is no treatment for the moment, follow your doctor’s recommendations to treat yourself and prevent the proliferation of the virus
- Your doctor may prescribe or recommend medicines to treat your symptoms. Since there is no medicine to cure the disease or kill the virus itself. All you can do is take care of yourself and wait for your situation to improve.
- Ask your doctor to tell you what to expect and when (or if) you should come back for further treatment, if your symptoms get worse, or if new symptoms appear.
4-Get emergency treatment if you have severe symptoms. Don’t worry, but be aware that COVID-19 can cause serious symptoms. These can include pneumonia, which can be fatal. Seek immediate medical attention if you have the following serious symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Persistent pain or weight in the chest.
- Recent confusion or inability to respond physically.
- Blue lips or face.
Take care of yourself during illness
1-Stay home until you are healed. Staying at home will prevent you from spreading the infection to other people. Plus, getting plenty of rest is essential to help your body fight infection and recover. During your illness, stay at home, do not go to school or work, and avoid doing strenuous activities at home. Also sleep as much as you can
- Ask your doctor for advice on when you can resume your usual activities. They may recommend that you wait up to 14 days or longer after your symptoms have resolved.
Tip: If you share your home with someone, do your best to isolate yourself in a separate room. If your home has more than one bathroom, use a bathroom reserved for you only. This can help you protect your family or roommates from getting infected with the virus.
2-Take over-the-counter pain and fever medications. If you have symptoms like body aches, headaches or fever, you can treat them with medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or naproxen. If you are over 18, you can take aspirin to lower fever or reduce pain.
- Never give aspirin to a child or teenager under the age of 18, as it can cause a life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.
- Always follow the dosing instructions on the label or given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Before taking any medicine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
3-Use an air humidifier to relieve your cough. An air humidifier can help soothe your throat, lungs, and nasal passages, which can relieve a cough. It also helps loosen mucus so that your cough is more productive. Place one near your bed at night and where you spend most of your time resting during the day
- Taking a hot shower or sitting in the bathroom with the hot water running can help relieve and loosen the mucus in your lungs and sinuses.
4-Drink lots of fluids. It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re sick. Until you have fully recovered from the coronavirus, continue to drink water, juice, or other clear fluids to combat dehydration and reduce the risk of congestion.
- Hot liquids, such as broth, tea, or hot water with lemon, can be especially soothing for a cough or sore throat.
5-Self-isolate until your doctor lets you go outside. It is extremely important to stay in your home while you are contagious so that you do not pass the virus on to other people. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume your normal activities. Check it out before going out, even if you think your condition is improving
- Your doctor may give you another test to check if you still have coronavirus.
- If the tests are not available, they may allow you to leave your home if you have not had symptoms for at least 72 hours.
Prevent infections caused by COVID-19
1-Stay at home as much as possible. You’ve probably heard of this “social distancing” of limiting contact with other people. This can help prevent the disease from spreading in the community. Leave your home only for the absolute necessities, like shopping or going to work. If possible, make arrangements for work or homework at home
- If you are having a meeting with friends or relatives, limit the number of guests to 10 people or less, and keep a distance of 2m between yourself and other guests.
2-Put on a mask. In public, do not approach within 2 m of other people. If you have to go shopping or leave your home, protect yourself and others. Put on a mask that covers your nose, mouth and chin, and make sure you stay at least 2m away from others.
3-Wash your hands regularly. This is the best way to prevent the spread of coronaviruses and other diseases. Use hot water and soap frequently throughout the day to wash your hands, especially after touching surfaces in high-traffic areas (such as the door handles of public restrooms or the ramps of trains and buses. ) or potentially infected people or animals. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and be sure to clean between your fingers
- To make sure you wash yourself long enough, sing the song “Happy Birthday” while washing your hands.
- If you don’t have access to soap and water, use a disinfectant.
4-Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Respiratory viruses like those in the coronavirus family enter your body through the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose, and mouth. You can protect yourself by keeping your hands away from your face, especially if you haven’t washed them recently.
5-Clean and disinfect all objects and surfaces. For general disease prevention, you should clean surfaces that are touched often daily to minimize the spread of disease. Use 250ml of bleach mixed with 4L of hot water, a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant spray to keep things clean. Be sure to leave the surface wet for about 10 minutes for the disinfectant to work effectively
- If anyone in your home is sick, immediately clean dishes or utensils with hot water and detergent. Also clean any contaminated linens, such as sheets and pillowcases, in hot water.
6-Avoid contact with sick people. The coronavirus is spread by droplets produced by an infected person. You can easily breathe in these droplets when the patient starts to cough. If you see someone coughing or telling you they’re sick, walk away from them with kindness and respect. In addition, try to avoid the following situations which may promote transmission of the virus
- Having close personal contact with an infected person, such as hugging, kissing, shaking hands, or staying near them for an extended period of time (such as sitting next to them in a bus or plane).
- Share cups, utensils or personal items with an infected person.
- Touching your eyes, nose or mouth after touching an infected person.
- Come in contact with infected fecal matter (for example, if you have changed the diaper of an infected baby or toddler).
7-Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. People infected with coronavirus spread it by coughing and sneezing. If you are infected with the virus, you can protect other people by using a tissue, tissue or face mask to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Throw away the tissues you just used right away, then wash your hands with warm water and soap.
- If you inadvertently cough or sneeze, or don’t have a tissue handy, cover your nose or mouth with the crook of your elbow rather than your hand. This way, there will be less risk of spreading the virus by touching objects.
8-Stay away from farm animals and wild animals. Many coronaviruses are transmitted from animals to humans. If you come into contact with any animal, especially in areas where coronaviruses are a problem, always wash your hands thoroughly.
- Take special care not to come into contact with animals that are visibly sick.
9-Thoroughly cook meat and other animal products. Consuming contaminated or improperly prepared meat or milk can lead to coronavirus infections and other illnesses. Avoid eating raw or unpasteurized animal foods and always wash your hands and any surfaces or utensils that come in contact with raw or untreated meat or milk.
10-Take into account the recommendations for travelers. Travel is strongly discouraged. If you are planning to travel abroad, check the destination country’s travel website to find out if any dangerous strains of the coronavirus are active in the area you plan to visit. You can also check the website of local health organizations or the World Health Organization (WHO) for information. These websites can give you advice on how to protect yourself during your trip.