Even if you have mild symptoms and you feel better within five days, you are still infectious and you must stay home.
In your home, separate from your loved ones. Sleep alone in a separate room. Use a separate bathroom (if at all possible). Wash your hands and do not socialize with family or friends. Do not eat at the same time with masks off. Clean high touch areas in your home often (door knobs, cell phones, remotes, sinks, faucets, etc.).
You will feel fatigue – rest as much as possible. Naps are encouraged.
Get a pulse ox from the local Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart or borrow from a friend. Check your pulse ox if you feel short of breath. Maintain your oxygen level above 90 percent. No lower than 88 percent if up and about to the bathroom.
Have good nutrition. Drink water or juice. Stay hydrated. If you run a high fever or have severe diarrhea you must drink more water than normal.
Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen for fever or body aches.
Take over the counter meds for diarrhea, nausea, cold symptoms or cough. Run a humidifier to keep moisture in the air.
Continue to take your regular medication, this includes inhalers and other asthma medication if you normally take it.
You can add Zinc and vitamin C.
Add a coated baby aspirin (81 mg) if your stomach can tolerate it, this prevents blood clots.
Take a big gargle with mouthwash; it kills the virus in the back of your throat. Do this two to three times a day.
Use nasal saline spray/lavage to clean your sinuses and rid the virus.
Sleep with your head elevated – maybe in a recliner at 45 degrees if short of breath.
Take deep breaths and force yourself to cough (this prevents pneumonia).
Prone yourself or lie on your stomach – this helps move air to unused lung tissue.
Contact your primary care physician if you have any questions or your symptoms worsen. Do not go to their office. You may need an antibiotic (Doxycycline) to prevent a secondary infection, and this has anti-inflammatory properties.
If your pulse ox is below 90 percent seek emergency care in a local ER Immediately.
If you experience chest pain or signs of a heart attack or stroke, seek emergency care immediately.
Please tell any health care provider that you tested positive for COVID, keep the lab result and the date for quick reference. This prevents further testing.
If you have underlying health issues, please call your primary care provider as soon as possible for monitoring.
You can end isolation after five full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).
You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day six through day 10). If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for a full 10 days.
Do eat around a table with others (without masks) or visit in breakrooms in close proximity during day 6-10.
Hand Hygiene and cleaning surfaces are important in stopping the spread of viruses.
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Reference: AAPSonline.org (11-18-20)