A coronavirus is a type of common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat that triggers the respiratory tract infection in large. When an infected person breathes, talks, sneezes, or coughs, tiny droplets are released into the air. These can land in someone’s nose, mouth, or eyes or they can be breathed in. Aerosols, which are the tiniest droplets in the air, can persist for minutes to hours and travel on air currents. However, it appears that when persons are less than 6 feet apart, it has a greater chance of spreading. Infections caused by coronavirus range from mild to deadly. 

Are You Vulnerable To COVID?

There is a larger risk of acquiring major illness among people who are 60 years of age or older, as well as those with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart and lung issues, diabetes, obesity, or cancer. A person of any age can become extremely ill or die from COVID-19. However, taking the right precautions can prevent you from contracting this. In that case, how would we go about achieving our goals? Let’s talk about the guidelines for COVID-19.

Find A Mask That Best Fits Your Face

Masks

If you are not vaccinated, make sure you wear a face mask when going out in public. A mask gives an extra layer of safety for you on top of social distancing efforts.

Even if you don’t realize you have the virus or aren’t showing indications of infection, there is a high chance that you can transfer it by talking or coughing.  For this reason, you should wear it even when you are at home. Wearing a mask is one of the effective measures to avoid being infected while being with someone who has been infected or exposed.

While wearing your mask, avoid touching it. It is crucial to replace your mask if it becomes damp or soiled. Throw away the used mask and wash your hands. It is advisable to wear surgical masks and N95 masks compared to any other masks. Dispose of the mask immediately after using.

Ways To Prevent From Getting COVID-19

Getting vaccinated is a key part of prevention. But simple precautions such as physical separation, wearing a mask when separation is impossible, keeping rooms well aired, avoiding crowds and close contact, frequently wiping your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue are also preventive measures to keep yourself safe.

Proper Hygiene Practices

  • Clean your hands regularly and thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water to eliminate germs.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Hands come into contact with a variety of surfaces and can pick up viruses from them. Your eyes, nose, and mouth may become infected if your hands become contaminated with the virus. It is possible for the virus to infiltrate your body and infect you from that point.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Cover mouth
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially those which are regularly touched, such as door handles, faucets, and phone screens.

  • Always have your mask on. Talking and coughing can spread the virus to others, even if you are unaware that you are infected. Put on your mask and keep it on all the time!

Instant Measures When Feeling Unwell

If you have minor symptoms like cough, headache, or moderate fever, stay at home and isolate yourself until you recover. For advice, contact your healthcare practitioner or a hotline. Put a note for supplies to be sent to you.

If you have difficulty in breathing, get medical assistance right away.

However, if you are old or a person with existing medical conditions then you should call your doctor as soon as the symptoms start since you are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19.

Is Home-Based Care For COVID Patients Advisable?

Most patients infected with COVID-19 will only have a slight sickness and will be able to recover at home. Follow the safety measures for COVID-19 with the appropriate precautions. Symptoms may persist for a few days, and those infected with the virus may recover in about a week.

However, to treat the COVID patients at home, you have to assess the suitability of the ‘COVID preventive measures at home’ residential setting for home care by consulting with healthcare professionals, state or local health department staff.

Considerations for care at home include whether:

  • The patient is stable enough to receive care at home.
  • Appropriate caregivers are available at home.
  • There is a bedroom where the patient can recover without sharing immediate space with others.

  • There is a separate bathroom for the patient. If this is not possible, the bathroom should be cleaned after each use.

  • Resources for access to food and other necessities are available.

  • The patient and other members of the family are able to follow the precautions prescribed as part of home care or isolation. This includes the patient’s ability to wear a mask when necessary.

PPE
  • Speak with your doctor and follow his advice if you have any treatment-related questions. Assist the sick person in acquiring groceries and prescriptions, as well as, if necessary, taking care of his or her pet.

You Need To Protect Yourself When Caring For Someone With COVID-19

The caregiver may be at an increased risk of serious sickness from COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus while the patient is being treated at home. If at all feasible, people who are at a higher risk of severe disease should avoid caring for family members who have COVID-19.

If you are a caregiver, then here are the preventive actions you have to practice every day.

In order to keep your hands clean, wash them frequently with soap or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol for at least 20 seconds, especially when you have been in close contact or been in the same room as the sick person.

  • Precautions for COVID-19 patients at home include spraying or wiping off surfaces that are commonly touched on a regular basis with household cleaning sprays or wipes. As often as possible, clean the sick person’s separate room and bathroom. Only the sick person’s bedding and utensils should be kept.
  • Avoid direct contact with the sick person’s bodily fluids. When delivering oral and respiratory treatment, and when handling stool, urine, or other waste, wear disposable gloves and a face mask. You should always wash your hands prior to removing your gloves and mask as well as after removing them. Masks and gloves should never be reused.

  • Avoid having unnecessary visitors in your home. Visitors should not be allowed until the sick person has healed entirely and is free of any indications or symptoms of COVID 19. 

To care for yourself:

  • Maintain a regular regimen, which includes showering and dressing.
  • Taking a break from COVID-19 news, including social media, is a good idea.

  • Stay hydrated and eat healthy foods.

  • Exercise
  • Get a good night’s sleep.

  • Excessive drinking and tobacco usage should be avoided.

  • Stretching, deep breathing, or meditations are all good options.

Gardening
  • Concentrate on interesting hobbies.

Above all, keep up with the latest information from reputable sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or your local and national health authorities.

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