With over 24 million reported cases of Covid-19 in the United States, new contagious variants of the virus, and an epidemic of anti-maskers, our risk of being exposed to the disease is escalating at a scary rate. While we all take precautions to prevent infection, what do you do if you or a loved one tests positive for Covid-19? We talked to the Health Center to get some advice on how to get through the coronavirus at home.
Isolate: Foremost, isolating the infected individual from the rest of the household is critical to limiting the spread. Ms. Meaghan Harkins, Medication and Nurse Manager at the Health Center, said “Bringing them food, fluids, and medicine is okay, but you should not linger in their room. They should have an easy way to contact you when they need something, and distancing, masking, and hand washing are still 100% necessary.”
Practice Self-Care: Ms. Karen Klein, Director of Nursing and Associate Director of the Health Center, encourages those who are infected to “get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and pay attention to how you are feeling. Continue to take your regular medicines, eat foods that are good for you and comforting!” Stress-relieving activities can also help: “Give yourself permission to watch silly shows, read books for fun, and talk with people who lift you up. If you have a pet, this is a good time to spend together,” she said.
Consider Home Remedies: Ms. Klein pointed out that there is no real ‘cure’ for symptoms caused by viral infections, but they can be alleviated with home remedies. “Take a bath and drink herbal teas like ginger, which is good for digestion. Mint is good for headaches, and chamomile is good for sleep,” she said. She also suggested relieving aches and pains with a cozy blanket and heating pad or by applying arnica oil or Tiger Balm on the skin.
Ms. Harkins also gave advice on managing coughs. She said, “Honey has also been shown to be even more effective against a cough than cough medicine, so teas with honey or just a spoonful taken as needed can help. The time-honored American tradition of chicken noodle soup is also comforting!”
An effective treatment for congestion is steam inhalation — or “magic steam” as Ms. Klein calls it. Run a hot shower with the door closed to create a makeshift steam room and fill the sink with very hot water. Then, put a towel over your head, lean over the sink, and breathe in the steam. Ms. Harkins added, “There are Vicks VapoPads you can put on the floor of your shower to help in this arena as well.”
Monitor For More Severe Symptoms: While taking care of yourself, pay attention to whether your symptoms are worsening. Of warning signs, Medical Director Dr. Miriam Cohen says, “Shortness of breath is the most common, but also a severe headache, inability to eat or drink, confusion. Anything that is severe and not improving with all the remedies previously discussed warrants a conversation and evaluation by a medical provider and perhaps a trip to the emergency department.”
Take Care Of Your Mind: Of course, the virus is bound to cause stress and anxiety. If you’re feeling distressed in any way, the workers at the Health Center encourage you to reach out. Ms. Harkins said, “Mental health matters just as much as physical health. We are all affected by this strange new reality — some in deeply profound ways. Your feelings matter. Honor your feelings by allowing yourself to feel them, and if you are overwhelmed, please take the courageous step of talking to someone.”
