A Guide to Caring for Someone at Home
World Health Organization has issued guidelines for homecare for Covid-19 patients:
"If someone in your home is not at high risk for severe disease, tests positive for Covid-19, and has no symptoms or mild symptoms, they can usually be cared for safely at home," reads WHO's statement. If the person is at high risk, including older adults; people who are pregnant; people of any age with chronic medical conditions (chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurologic, liver, or hematologic diseases); and immunosuppressive conditions (HIV/AIDS, patients receiving chemotherapy or steroids, and people with cancer.) They should immediately consult their doctor or home health care provider.
Here's what to do as per WHO:
*Identify one household member to be the caregiver. The caregiver should have no high-risk factors and the fewest contacts with people outside.
*Prepare a separate room or isolated space for the person with Covid-19 infection.
*Open window(s) to improve ventilation and increase fresh air circulation.
*Do not allow visitors and avoid close contact of less than one meter.
*Everyone should wear a medical mask when in the same room as the infected person.
*Clean hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
*Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
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*Use separate dishes, cups, eating utensils, and bedding from the person infected.
*The person with infection should rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious food, and continue any medications for chronic conditions.
*Get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn.
*Take paracetamol/acetaminophen for fever and/or body pain following instructions. Antibiotics are not effective against Covid-19 infection.
*Monitor the infected person regularly. Call your healthcare provider immediately if there is difficulty breathing, confusion, chest pain, or loss of speech or mobility.
Covid-19 patients can use a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels independently.
To check oxygen saturation, Covid-19 patients can use a pulse oximeter. But before using it, one should know how to use it correctly.
*Rest for 10-15 mins before taking measurements
*Rest a hand on the chest and hold still
*Place the oximeter on the middle or index finger
*Keep it in the same place till the reading is stable
*Register the highest result once the reading has been stabilized
*Identify the reading carefully
*Start recording from the baseline and record thrice a day unless you notice any changes in your health
*Consult a medical professional in case of breathlessness or dip in oxygen levels to 93 percent or less
Experts also suggest that a prone position or lying face down on your stomach with deep breathing can help. "When a patient is in the prone position, air moves up to the air sack due to gravity. This helps better distribute oxygen to the lungs and other parts of the body. There is no adverse effect related to the position. However, we must keep in mind that 'proning' is not the sole solution to improve oxygen level and should be complemented with other necessary treatments as well," said Dr. Praveen Gupta, director and head of the department neurology Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
Even if vaccinated, we must follow other precautionary measures because vaccination does not fully protect against infection or the possibility of spreading the virus. If infected, WHO recommends that you wear a medical mask and follow prevention measures when caring for someone with a Covid-19 infection, even if you are vaccinated.
BrightStar Care of Howard County provides 24/7 to Hourly Private Duty Home Health Care and Medical Staffing Services.
We offer support around the clock, providing a full continuum of caregiving services to patients with COVID19. We proudly serve Howard County, Columbia, Ellicott City, Laurel, Frederick, Clarksville, Westminster, Fulton, and Savage areas.
For more information on how BrightStar Care supports Howard County's families and businesses, and to learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals – please Click Here.