Sick at home, what to do?

France recorded more than 1.5 million cases of COVID-19 in early November 2020. Fortunately, and as the Directorate General of Health (DGS) reminds us, the disease is mild in 80-85% of cases.

How to take care of yourself and those around you when you have the virus in its less severe form?

How do you know if you have coronavirus? Symptoms of covid

The two main ones coronavirus symptoms we are cough and fever. If they can come close to those of the seasonal flu, it’s important to differentiate well.

This is because cough and fever tend to to settle down very gradually when you have covid-19 while this is not the case with the flu.

Other symptoms appear in some patients such as sudden loss of taste or smell without the nose being blocked. Added to this are headaches, digestive problems such as stomach pains, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and severe fatigue.

Digestive disorders and diarrhea due to covid – © gpointstudio

Coronavirus treatment: stay home and rest

Again, in the vast majority of cases, the coronavirus affects patients in mild form. Pathology heals on its own in a few days, as long as you have a good rest.

However, if your symptoms get worse (more intense cough, persistent fever, etc.), if you have a chronic illness (asthma, hypertension, heart failure, etc.) or are unsure, call your doctor.

In case of an emergency such as breathing difficulties, call 15.

What to do when you are sick at home?

Taking care of yourself and protecting others is fine stay at home and respect barrier gestures as you have been using for many months now. Here are some additional tips:

Protect yourself by monitoring your health

Monitor the development of fever from taking his temperature twice a day. However, there are many cases of coronavirus without fever or light (37.5 – 38 ° C).

Rest is the first treatment. It is also necessary remember to hydrate yourself well : water, herbal teas, soups …

Remember that anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided. Health authorities recommend 1 g of paracetamol 3 times a day at most in case of severe fever.
Also pay attention to natural treatments.

Coronavirus: plants and essential oils not to be used

Coronavirus remedy: rest and hydrate – © Maria Raz

Protect those around you

At home, even if difficult, it is essential respect distances, especially when you are sick.

So we don’t touch, we don’t kiss and we try, if possible, to do it isolate yourself in a room of the house. This means not sharing bed or meals again if possible.

Likewise, the bathroom and toilet are places of transmission to remember: disinfect the surfaces with each pass and once a day the other surfaces.

Disinfection: how to clean the door handles?

It is also importantventilate all rooms in the house for at least 10 minutes, several times a day. When we are sick we do not share our daily items: telephone, dishes, towels, etc.

Wash your things separately those of the people you live with.

Finally, throw away contaminated waste such as disposable handkerchiefs or disposable masks in a special garbage bag that you keep in the room with you. Once full, pack it in a second bag and wait 24 hours before throwing it away with the rest of your household waste.

A covid patient is considered cured and no longer contagious 48 hours after the symptoms of fever and respiratory distress have completely disappeared. The cough can sometimes persist.

Take care of you !

Banner illustration: covid symptoms – © eldar nurkovic