COVID-19: how to treat coronavirus at home
- Seth Obeng Asante
- Jun 30, 2020
- 2 min read
The majority of people who are infected with coronavirus experience a mild or asymptomatic disease which can be treated at home. So if you're experiencing the tell-tale signs of the virus, what should you do to feel better?
The symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, include:
Fever (a temperature above 37.8°C or skin which feels hot to touch).
A new, continuous cough.
Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Aches and pains.
Looking after yourself at home
As with other viruses such as colds and flu, taking it easy and looking after yourself are crucial to your recovery. You should:
Drink plenty of fluids. Drink enough water so that your pee is a pale, clear colour. Avoid alcohol as this will make you more dehydrated.
Get plenty of rest. You should isolate yourself at home if you have any symptoms of coronavirus and avoid any strenuous activity whilst you are unwell.
Use over-the-counter medicines to treat some of your symptoms.
Medications
There is not currently a cure for COVID-19 or a vaccine against coronavirus. The aim of treatment is to manage and reduce symptoms until you have recovered.
Most people - around 80% - have an asymptomatic or mild infection which can be treated at home. In this case, you should self-isolate for at least one week until you have recovered.
One in five people who contract COVID-19 will require hospital care. Around 15% of cases experience a severe infection requiring oxygen to help with respiratory symptoms. 5% experience critical infections, requiring ventilation. Those at a higher risk of severe or critical infections include older people and those with underlying health conditions.
Painkillers
For most viral infections, including flu and the common cold, simple painkillers such as paracetamol and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen are widely recommended.
Treating a high temperature
If you have a high temperature, it can help to:
get lots of rest
drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
Treating a cough
If you have a cough, it's best to avoid lying on your back. Lie on your side or sit upright instead.
To help ease a cough, try having a teaspoon of honey. But do not give honey to babies under 12 months.
If this does not help, you could contact a pharmacist for advice about cough treatments.
Information: Do not go to a pharmacy in person. If you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms, you must all stay at home. Try calling or contacting the pharmacy online instead.
Source:
https://patient.info/news-and-features/covid-19-how-to-treat-coronavirus-at-home
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