Treating COVID-22 person at home: Care tips

Providing home care for a person sick with COVID-22? Or take care of yourself at home? Understand when emergency care is needed and what you can do to prevent the spread of infection.

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

If you have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are caring for yourself at home or caring for a loved one with COVID-19 at home, you may have questions. How do you know if emergency care is needed? How long is isolation necessary? What can you do to stop the spread of germs? How can you support a sick loved one and manage their stress? Here's what you need to know.

home treatment

Most people who become ill with COVID-19 will only experience mild illness and may recover at home. Symptoms can last for a few days, and people who have the virus may feel better in about a week. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and includes rest, fluid intake, and pain relievers.

However, older adults and people of any age with existing medical conditions should call their doctor as soon as symptoms begin. These factors put people at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding care and home isolation for yourself or your loved one. If you have questions about treatment, talk to your doctor. Help the sick person get groceries and any medicines and, if necessary, care for their pets.

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

emergency warning signs

Monitor yourself or your loved one carefully for worsening symptoms. If symptoms start to get worse, call a doctor.

The doctor may recommend the use of a home pulse oximeter, especially if the sick person has risk factors for severe illness with COVID-19 and COVID-19 symptoms. The pulse oximeter is a plastic clip that is attached to a finger. 

This device can help test breathing by measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood. A reading below 92% may increase the need for hospitalization. If the doctor recommends a pulse oximeter, make sure you understand how to use the device properly and when a reading should prompt a doctor to call.

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

• shortness of breath
• persistent chest pain or pressure
• new confusion
• blue lips or face
• inability to stay awake
• Pale, gray or bluish skin, lips, or nail beds — depending on skin tone

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If you are sick with COVID-19, you can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus infection.

Stay home from work, school, and public areas, unless it is to receive medical care.

Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing services or taxis.

Stay away from your family and other people in a room as much as possible. This includes eating in your room. Open the windows to let the air circulate. If possible, use a separate bathroom.

Avoid shared space in your home as much as possible. When using shared spaces, limit your activities. Keep your kitchen and other shared spaces well ventilated. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from your family members.

Clean frequently touched surfaces in your separate rooms and bathrooms, such as door knobs, light switches, electronics and counters, every day.

Avoid sharing personal household items, such as dishes, towels, bedding and electronics.

Wear a face mask when around others. Change face mask every day.

If wearing a face mask is not possible, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Throw away the tissue or wash the handkerchief afterwards.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Protecting yourself from COVID-19 while caring for someone

For your own safety when caring for someone with COVID-19, the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend:

Keep your hands clean and away from your face. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially

After being in close contact or in the same room where the sick person is. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains

 l. Be ex 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Wear face mask. If you need to be in the same room with a sick person and cannot wear a face mask, wear a face mask. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the sick person. Do not 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 house frequently. Every day, use household cleaning sprays or wipes to clean surfaces that are frequently touched, including counters, tabletops, and doorknobs. Avoid cleaning the sick person's separate room and bathroom. Set aside bedding and utensils for the use of the sick person only.

Be careful when doing laundry. Do not move dirty laundry. Use regular detergent to wash the sick person's clothes. Use the hottest setting you can. Wash hands after putting clothes in the dryer. Dry clothes thoroughly. 

If you are handling clothing soiled by a sick person, wear disposable gloves and keep the items away from your body. Wash your hands after taking off the gloves. Place soiled gloves and masks in a dustbin with a lid in the sick person's room. Disinfect the hamper by cleaning and disinfecting clothes and wash your hands afterward.

Be careful with the dishes. Wear gloves when handling utensils, cups or utensils used by a sick person. Wash items with soap and hot water or in the dishwasher. Clean your hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

Avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of a sick person. Wear disposable gloves and a face mask when providing oral and respiratory care and when handling feces, urine or other waste. Wash your hands before and after removing your gloves and mask. Do not reuse your mask or gloves.

Avoid unnecessary visitors to your home. Do not allow visitors until the sick person is fully recovered and has no signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

end isolation or quarantine

If you have COVID-19

Isolation is used to isolate people who are infected with the COVID-19 virus and those who are not. If your immune system is weak, talk to your doctor about when to end home isolation. If you think or know you have had COVID-19 and have symptoms, the CDC recommends that it is okay to be around others after:

At least 5 days have passed since your symptoms started. Wear a mask when you are around others for 5 more days.

At least 24 hours passed without fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Other symptoms are improving - loss of taste and smell may last for weeks or months after recovery but should not delay the separation.

These recommendations may be different if you have had severe COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system.

Most people do not need testing to decide when they can be around others

If you are a healthcare worker with COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you return to work after:

At least 5 days have passed since you tested positive, with or without testing negative, if you have mild or no symptoms and you work in a facility facing staff shortages

At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms started or 7 days after symptoms started if you receive a negative test result, if you have mild or no symptoms

At least 24 hours have passed without fever after use of fever-reducing medicine

Other symptoms are improving

If you are a healthcare worker, you may be able to return to work sooner when in crisis, but your health facility will make that decision.

If you have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19

If you are caring for someone who has COVID-19 and you have not been fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends that you get tested five days after being exposed. The CDC also recommends that you quarantine and watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for five days after your last contact with a sick person. After this, wear a mask for five days. If you cannot quarantine then wear a mask for 10 days. Try to stay away from people in your house. If you have symptoms, self-isolate.

However, if you are caring for someone who has COVID-19, 

you do not need to stay at home if:👈👈👈👈

You have been fully vaccinated within the past 6 months, or you have had a booster and you have no symptoms of COVID-19.

You have had COVID-19 within the past three months, have been cured, and are without symptoms of COVID-19.

But wear a mask when you are around other people for 10 days.

If you have been fully vaccinated but it has been more than 6 months since your last dose, and you

If you have not received a booster, stay home for five days and wear a mask for five more days. If you are not able to stay at home then wear a mask for 10 days.

If you have been fully vaccinated, get tested five days after exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. It is also recommended that you wear a mask in public for 10 days after exposure, or until you get a negative test result.

coping with caregiver stress👈👈👈

As you or your loved one recovers, seek emotional support. Stay connected with others via text message, phone call or video conferencing. Your purpose is to share. Avoid too much COVID-19 news. Relax and focus on recreational activities, such as reading, watching movies or playing online games.

When you care for a loved one who is sick with COVID-19, you may also feel stressed. You may worry about your health and the health of the sick person. It 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 your treatment. If your condition worsens, contact your doctor or mental health professional.

To take care of yourself, follow these steps:

• Maintain a daily routine, including bathing and getting dressed.
• Take a break from COVID-19 news, including on social media.
• Eat healthy food and stay hydrated.
• work out.
• get plenty of sleep.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
• Do stretching, take deep breaths, or meditate.
• Focus on fun activities.
• Connect with others and share how you are feeling.

Taking care of yourself can help you deal with stress. It will also help you support your loved one's recovery.