*Coronavirus Covid-19 – what to do when self-isolating*
There’s now a recommended 7-day period of self-isolation if you’ve got a fever >37.8C, or a new/persistent cough.
What helpful stuff can you do during this?
1. Taking analgesia regularly – relieves fever, pain
– paracetamol 4 times daily
– you can also take ibuprofen 3 times daily with this
– take REGULARLY, not just as and when – they will be more effective
2. Drink water regularly – LOTS
– maintaining hydration is fundamental to helping your immune system
– when feverish I’d recommend people drink more water than usual, 3-3.5L if possible
– making sure you’re passing lots of clear urine – a sign of good hydration
3. Wash your hands regularly – with soap and water
– wash backs of your hands, between fingers (gutters for viruses) & your thumbs – we all forget thumbs!
– wash for at least 20 seconds. Don’t sneeze into your hands!
4. Disinfect hard surfaces – coronaviruses can survive days on PHONES, metal, plastics & ceramic
5. Stay at least 2 metres away from relatives/family members – within 2m the virus can be spread by cough droplets
– Absolutely DO NOT visit elderly relatives in care homes/hospitals
6. Video-call friends to maintain human contact & avoid loneliness!
#coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic
By:
Dr Martin Saweirs
Private GP | Internist | “Making People the Priority in Healthcare”
Coronavirus, Covid-19, what to do when self-isolating