Things to do when you feel symptoms of Covid

The virus that causes COVID-19 is still spreading and its cases continue to increase worldwide. In Indonesia alone, COVID-19 patients have reached thousands of people and have claimed hundreds of lives.

Its rapid spread and its often asymptomatic start have worried many people. So, what if one day someone feels symptoms of COVID-19, what should be done?

Recognize the symptoms first

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which attacks the respiratory tract. Similar to flu, the symptoms that are shown can include mild symptoms such as dry cough and sore throat.

However, the COVID-19 virus infection can also cause quite severe symptoms such as pneumonia and shortness of breath.

Along with increasing cases, there were also various other symptoms that occurred in some people. These symptoms include loss of smell and diarrhea.

Decreased function of the sense of smell is still more common, given the virus can cause a cold that causes nasal congestion and can't smell.

Unlike the symptoms of diarrhea, most people who experience it do not immediately seek medical help because they feel that the symptoms are not related to breathing problems.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

What to do if you experience symptoms of COVID-19

In fact, most patients infected with COVID-19 show only mild symptoms and can perform self-care at home without medical assistance. Symptoms will usually appear within 2 to 14 days of exposure to the virus.

For those of you who want to do a test to find out whether your body has been infected with the virus, try contacting the health office or medical service provider in your city. Can also contact hotline Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia with number 021-5210411 or 081212123119.

If the result is negative, it is likely that you either are not infected or that you are still in the early stages of specimen collection.

However, you still have to be careful and take precautions. A negative test result does not rule out the possibility that you could become infected with the virus in the future.

If the result is positive, you should immediately seek help and ask your doctor for advice on what to do if you can still do self-care.

Here are some of what you should do when you start feeling symptoms or are already infected with COVID-19.

Stay at home

For those of you who experience symptoms such as cough and fever without experiencing shortness of breath, you are advised to stay at home and not travel except for medical purposes such as seeing a doctor.

You can do a cure by taking medicines that will reduce the symptoms.

If you have to go, try not to take public transportation, it's better to use a private vehicle.

Separating yourself from others when sick

Self-isolate by moving away from those around you. Do a minimum physical distance of 1 meter. Sleep in a separate room from other people.

If there is, use a different bathroom. This is done so that you do not transmit the disease, especially if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

Tell your doctor about your condition

For those of you who are currently undergoing treatment or have a schedule with a doctor that cannot be postponed, please let us know by telephone that you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 before meeting.

With the information you provide, doctors and other health workers can make preparations in advance.

Use a mask that covers the nose and mouth

Use a mask that can cover the nose and mouth area properly if necessary at all times. A cloth mask is enough to help block splashes from the mouth and nose from being exposed to the outside. If you run out of masks, you can replace them by using a scarf or scarf.

When sneezing or coughing, cover it with a tissue and throw it in the trash immediately afterward. If you don't have a tissue, you can cover your nose and mouth using the elbow area. After that, wash your hands with soap or use hand sanitizer.

Washing hands

Source: The Active Time

Wash your hands the right way for at least 40 seconds. Not only after sneezing and coughing, you should wash your hands before and after going to the bathroom, when preparing food, and before eating.

For added protection, use hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent. Wipe hand sanitizer in all parts of the hand until it dries. Do not touch the face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands.

Avoid sharing personal items

Items such as plates, spoons, glasses, and towels should be used only for yourself. Especially eating utensils, this prevention should not only be done for those who experience symptoms of COVID-19. Wash utensils after use until clean.

Always be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 that you feel

Make sure you are always alert to any changes and symptoms that appear. If you start experiencing more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, you should seek treatment at the hospital immediately.

Some of the other symptoms that can be signs of an emergency include pain or pressure in the chest that won't get better, confusion, and a bluish appearance on the lips or face.

Handling COVID-19 patients in the hospital

In addition to people who feel the symptoms of COVID-19 are more severe, the elderly or those with other conditions such as diabetes or lung disease must immediately undergo treatment in the hospital.

Until now, there is no vaccine that can specifically be used to cure COVID-19.

Therefore, the patient will be given supportive care including fluids to reduce dehydration, drugs to reduce fever, and supplemental oxygen. Patients who have difficulty breathing on their own may need a respirator.

COVID-19 cannot be treated with antibiotics because the cause is not from bacteria but from viruses.

Researchers and health professionals are still working on vaccines or investigating other treatment options that have the potential to treat symptoms.

Some of the options are as follows.

• Remdesivir: an antiviral drug designed to treat Ebola. Clinical trials have been carried out but approved for use in humans.
• Chloroquine: commonly used to combat malaria and autoimmune diseases, chloroquine has shown its potential to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus in test tube studies.
• Lopinavir and ritonavir: known as Kaletra, these drugs are designed to treat HIV and may be used in combination with other drugs to treat COVID-19.
• APN01: contains a protein called ACE2 which was used during SARS infection. This protein protects the lungs from injury caused by disease.
• Favilavir: made to treat laryngitis, its use has been approved to treat COVID-19.