How to identify the coronavirus

You are most certainly starting to worry about getting sick from COVID-19 since a recent outbreak hit the headlines. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself to reduce your risk of getting this disease. However, it is important to take your symptoms seriously if you think you have COVID-19. In this case, stay at home and contact your doctor remotely to find out if you need tests and treatment.

Step 1: Watch the symptoms

1.Pay attention to respiratory symptoms. Since COVID-19 is a respiratory infection, cough and runny nose are the most common symptoms. You may have a cough with or without sputum. The cough can also be a symptom of an allergy or respiratory infection from another source, so try not to worry. If you think your cough may be related to COVID-19, call your doctor.
Ask yourself if you’ve been around someone who was sick. If so, you are more likely to have contracted his disease. If a person is clearly ill, avoid going near them.
If you have a cough, stay away from people with weakened immune systems or who are at high risk of complications, such as people over 65, pregnant women, or people taking immunosuppressants.

2.Take your temperature. Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, which is why you should always check your temperature if you think you have it. A fever above 38 ° C may indicate that you have contracted COVID-19 or another infection. If you have a fever, contact your doctor to discuss your symptoms.
If you have a fever you are probably contagious, so avoid contact with other people.

3.Watch for breathing problems or shortness of breath. Coronaviruses can cause breathing difficulties, which is always a serious symptom. Contact your doctor right away or seek emergency treatment if you have difficulty breathing. You may have a serious infection like COVID-19.
You may need additional treatment for breathing problems, so always see your doctor if you experience shortness of breath.

Tip: The COVID-19 outbreak causes pneumonia in some patients, so you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you have breathing problems.

4.Know that a sore throat is not a sign. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection, but it doesn’t cause a sore throat, and you don’t have a runny nose either. Common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may indicate that it is another illness, such as a common flu or a cold. Call your doctor to make sure.
If you do get sick, it’s understandable that you feel anxious about COVID-19. You shouldn’t be too worried, however, if you have symptoms other than cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

Step 2: Get an official diagnosis

1.Call your doctor if you think you have COVID-19. Tell your doctor you have symptoms and ask if you need to get checked. They may recommend that you stay home and rest. However, they may also ask you to come for laboratory tests to confirm your infection. Follow your doctor’s instructions so you can recover and reduce the risk of the infection spreading.
Keep in mind that there is no medicine for COVID-19, so your doctor cannot prescribe treatment for you.

Tip: Tell your doctor if you have recently traveled or come into contact with animals. This will help them determine whether or not your symptoms are caused by COVID-19.

2.Take a lab test for COVID-19. Your doctor may take a nasal swab of your mucus or a blood test to determine if there is an infection. This will help him rule out other infections and possibly confirm the presence of coronavirus. Allow him to do a nasal swab or blood test so that he can make a correct diagnosis.
A nasal swab or blood test does not cause pain, but you may experience some discomfort.

Did you know ? Usually, your doctor will isolate you in a room and immediately notify the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while they are testing and monitoring your disease. If he or she suspects you have COVID-19, your doctor will send your results to the CDC or their body.

3.Get emergency medical treatment. You don’t have to worry, however severe infection with coronavirus can lead to complications, such as pneumonia. If you have trouble breathing, go to your doctor, emergency care center, or hospital right away. If you are alone, call for help to make sure you arrive safely.
Breathing problems can be a sign of complications, and your doctor can help you get the treatment you need to recover.

Step3: Dealing with COVID-19

1.Stay home so you don’t infect others. You are probably contagious, which is why you should not leave your home if you are feeling sick. Make yourself comfortable at home as you recover from your illness. Also, tell people that you are sick so that they do not come to visit you.
If you go to the doctor, wear a face mask to prevent the spread of the virus.
Check with your doctor to find out when it is safe to resume your usual activities. You may be contagious for 14 days.

2.Rest so that your body can recover. The best thing you can do for yourself is rest and relax as your body fights the infection. Lie on your bed or sofa with your upper body resting on pillows. Also provide a blanket in case you get cold.
Raising your upper body will help prevent coughing fits. If you don’t have enough pillows, use folded blankets or towels.

3.Take over-the-counter pain and fever medications. COVID-19 often causes pain and fever. Fortunately, over-the-counter medications like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help. Check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Then take your medicine according to the directions on the label. In France, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health only recommends paracetamol and prohibits anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen [15] , but other countries do not share this point of view and recall that “On March 18 (2020), The World Health Organization recommended that people with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 avoid NSAIDs, but reversed their position the next day, after further assessing the evidence. Thus, it does not recommend the administration of ibuprofen to treat fever in cases of COVID-19. ”
Do not give aspirin to children or adolescents under the age of 18, as it can cause Reye’s syndrome.
Do not take more medicine than what is recommended on the label, even if you do not feel better.

4.Use an air humidifier. There is a good chance that you will have a sore throat and a discharge of mucus, hence the value of an air humidifier to help you. The mist from the humidifier will moisten your throat and airways, which may relieve your sore throat. In addition, humidity helps thin the mucus.
Follow the directions on your humidifier for safe use.
Wash your humidifier thoroughly with soap and water between uses to prevent mold from growing inside.

5.Consume lots of fluids. Fluids help your body fight infection and thin your mucus. Drink water, hot water, or tea to help keep you hydrated. Also, eat broths to increase your fluid intake.

• Warm liquids are best, and they can also help relieve your sore throat. Try hot water or tea with a little lemon and a spoonful of honey.

Advice

• If you can, stay home to help stop the spread of the disease. By avoiding exposing yourself and others to the virus, you will help limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Since the coronavirus incubation takes around 2 to 14 days, you probably won’t notice any symptoms right after getting infected.
• Airports around the world have started controlling symptoms of COVID-19 in travelers from countries at risk. These measures serve to limit the spread of the epidemic.
• Even if you are not sick, maintain social distancing, and stay at least 2m from other people to help stop the spread of the virus.

Warnings

• COVID-19 can cause serious complications. Call your doctor right away if you are short of breath or if you think your condition is getting worse.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informs that COVID-19 can be transmitted by carriers who do not show symptoms. Be particularly vigilant if you meet people who have been in contact with sick.

This article contains medical information or advice that may affect your health.

Hmd strives to provide content as precise as possible, but can in no way be responsible for the result of the application (non-exhaustive list) of the treatments, techniques, drugs, dosages and / or methods proposed in this document. The user assumes full responsibility.
If symptoms persist for more than a few days, see a healthcare practitioner. He alone is able to provide you with medical advice, whatever your condition. If it is a young child, consult a pediatrician immediately.
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