Covid Positive at Home?

So you’ve tested positive and been medically assessed, and since you have no underlying conditions, and are not short of breath, you are allowed to recover in the comfort of your own home….

Most of you will be just fine, with the usual Flu like symptoms. Some people, however may experience more serious complications.

So what should you be looking out for?

Apart from the usual cough, fever and body aches, which would normally respond to Fluids, rest and Paracetamol/Acetomenophen (Brand names Panadol, Tylenol), there are a few complications you need to be aware of, because if they develop, it may mean you need to be in hospital after all.

1. Shortness of breath that is bad enough that is stops you from doing what you would normally do as part of your daily activities. Ok, you won’t be able to go for your normal 3 mile morning run, but you should not be so short of breath that you can’t climb your stairs or get yourself dressed…If this happens, please call me. if you have a pulse oximeter, (a little device you put on your finger) you can even measure your oxygen saturation levels. If the oxygen saturation drops below 96% on room air, that’s a sign that you need extra medical evaluation and possibly support with oxygen in a hospital. If you have COVID -19 and you need to rent one, we do have some available with a useful leaflet on his to use them. The shortness of breath tends to begin to get bad on day 5, but everyone is different.

2. Chest Pain– This can happen because of inflammation of the heart and lungs. this inflammation is actually because of your immune response and it can cause a heart attack, or heart failure. If it is going to happen, it is likely to be around day 10, although remember this is not set in stone. If you are experiencing chest pain please call me or if severe call 811. It could also be because of a clot.

3. Focal weakness: If you suddenly find your face is drooping on one side, or you have slurred speech or weakness of a limb it could be a sign of a stroke or another neurological complication and you need to seek urgent medical help.

4. New onset of confusion: This can be a sign of many complications and warrants urgent assessment.

5.Strange rashes, conjunctivitis or diarrhea in children. The recent evidence shows that thankfully most children have mild disease and very few end up in hospital. Very very few have died and the ones that have, have had underlying conditions. However if your child has any of the above symptoms you need to contact your pediatrician. (But then you should be in close contact with them anyway!)

If anyone has an underlying condition like Diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease or an autoimmune problem then please contact me for more specific advice!

So in short have to hand: 

1. Paracetamol/Acetomenophen
2. Fluids
3. Salt water gargles
4. Thermometer (I am always amazed at how few people have one of these)
5. Possibly (on discussion with a doctor) a pulse oximeter.
6. Emergency Contact numbers.