Good News! We can isolate at home if we have COVID -19! No need to go into hospital if we are well enough to stay home.
I know this is a huge relief to all of you right? Everyone wants to be in their own bed if they are feeling under the weather!
So what do you do if you think you have COVID 19?
First of all don’t panic! The main symptoms are:
- Fever more than 38
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
Sometimes:
- Body aches
- Diarrhea
Sneezing is not normally a major feature but can be present.
If you have any of these
1.Do not go out
2.Isolate yourself from your family and household (see our Instagram page for a leaflet on how to do this
3.Seek Medical advice via Telehealth, or a hotline rather than coming in, so you do not infected others. If you are extremely unwell with shortness of breath, for example, and you believe you need emergency help then proceed directly to your nearest public health facility. You can call me to find out where to go if you are unsure.
If I think you need testing I can either refer you privately for accredited PCR testing or send you to be tested via the Public health.
I can also arrange a sick note or quarantine note.
If you are well enough to stay home, you can stay home with Pandol, Fluids etc. People with underlying illnesses like Diabetes, Lung, Heart or Kidney disease should have individualized advice
You will need to stay at home from 14 days from the start of your symptoms.
4.Make a list of all those you have had CLOSE contact with. A CLOSE contact is defined as less than 6ft for 10 minutes or more. It is not someone you passed casually in the corridor at work.
What to do if you have been exposed to someone with known or suspected COVID 19: Remember exposure is defined as less than 6ft for 10 minutes or more, as above…
- Don’t panic
- Stay home and quarantine for 14 days unless you are told otherwise by a qualified doctor. Monitor for any of the above symptoms. Seek medical advice if they develop.
- Seek medical advice as to whether you need to be tested.
Any questions or suggestions for further leaflets let me know!
