When you become infected with COVID-19, what are you supposed to do? Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 does not need to seek medical care. Young, otherwise healthy people without any comorbidities who are experiencing mild symptoms can recover at home.
“Most cases of COVID-19 actually resolve without needing any kind of prescription medication or advanced care,” explains Dr. Melanie Swift, co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Work Group.
When it comes to at-home COVID-19 care for mild symptoms, Dr. Swift says it’s about the simple things: getting rest, staying well-hydrated, and possibly taking over-the-counter medications for symptoms of a fever.
She says that what’s important is to make sure mild symptoms aren’t progressing into ones that may require medical attention.
“If you find that you’re having trouble breathing, you need to get medical attention,” says Dr. Swift. “Chest pain, or pressure in the chest, is another reason to stop with self-care and get medical attention. If you find yourself getting confused or lightheaded, or if you feel like you might pass out, that’s a reason that you need to get medical attention. And then if your oxygen levels were to drop very low, and you or other people noted that you started to look very pale or even bluish, especially your lips or fingertips, that’s a sign that you need more oxygen and need to get to medical care emergently.”
Certain people will need to contact their medical provider if they test positive for COVID-19 because they may be eligible for prescription treatment.
“If you are one of those people who are immunosuppressed due to medications that you take, or a blood malignancy or something like that, then you need to get in touch with your provider,” says Dr. Swift. “If you took a home test, and were positive on that, your provider may not know that you have COVID-19. So you need to let them know because if you are eligible for one of those prescription treatments, they would be able to arrange that for you. But most people don’t need that. Most people can stay home, take care of themselves, rest while they isolate, and stay well-hydrated.
“Courtesy: Melanie Swift, M.D./COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution/Mayo Clinic.”
Republished with permission[/vc_message]
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
