Covid: How to look after yourself at home

2 years ago 51

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By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online

Image source, Getty Images

So you've caught Covid. What now?

Obviously, you must self-isolate to avoid giving it to other people.

In terms of your own wellbeing, here's what experts recommend.

Tell family and friends

Don't suffer in silence. Let people know that you have Covid.

They might be able to help with dropping off some food to your door and give you a call to check how you are doing while you have to isolate.

The NHS also has volunteers who can help people who are self-isolating at home with things like shopping and collecting medicines. Find out more online or by calling 0808 196 3646.

What symptoms can you expect?

Even with newer variants of the virus like Omicron and Delta, many people will have mild or no symptoms and will be able to safely ride out the infection at home.

The main symptoms, says the NHS, are still:

a new, continuous cough
a fever/high temperature
loss of or change to smell or taste

But researchers who have been gathering feedback from hundreds of thousands of people about their experiences with Covid suggests the top five symptoms are similar to a cold:

runny nose
headache
fatigue (either mild or severe)
sneezing
sore throat

What else can you do you?

If you feel grotty, there are things you can do that may help.

Get lots of rest, drink plenty of water and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help you feel more comfortable.

For a cough, try lying on your side or sitting upright rather than on your back.

Sitting up, rather than lying down, is also good if you are a bit breathless.

breathing slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle
relaxing your shoulders, so you're not hunched, and leaning forward slightly with your hands on your knees
turning down the heating a bit and letting in some fresh air

Image source, Prostock-Studio

Image caption,

Pulse oximeters have been widely used during the pandemic

Some people find a gadget called a pulse oximeter useful. It checks the level of oxygen in the blood.

It clips on to your finger and can be a useful measurement to know, a bit like keeping a check on your temperature with a thermometer.

Low levels of oxygen in your blood can be a sign you're getting worse.

A reading of 95 or above is normal. If it drops to 93 or 94 and stays like that an hour later, call 111 or your GP for advice. If it is 92 or below (on a device that is certified with a CE mark and which you are using as per the instructions that come with it), go to A&E or call 999.

Know when to get help

If you want some extra advice, you could try calling or contacting a pharmacy online. The NHS website also has lots of information about Covid.

Some people with Covid will need medical care, which might include staying in hospital.

The NHS is also offering some high risk patients a pill they can take at home to help cut the risk of their infection becoming more serious.

Get advice from NHS 111 or your GP if:

you're feeling gradually more unwell or more breathless
you have difficulty breathing when you stand up or move around
you feel very weak, achy or tired
you're shaking or shivering
you've lost your appetite
you're unable to care for yourself - for example, tasks like washing and dressing or making food are too difficult
you still feel unwell after four weeks - this may be long Covid

Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if:

you're so breathless that you're unable to say short sentences when resting
your breathing has got suddenly worse
you cough up blood
you feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
you have a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it
you collapse or faint
you feel agitated, confused or very drowsy
you've stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual

If you are worried about a baby or child, do not delay getting help. If they seem very unwell, are getting worse, or you think there's something seriously wrong, call 999.