What to do if you turn corona positive? An expert explains the next steps as COVID-19 infections surge

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over across the world and in India, the second wave of coronavirus-driven infections continues to add to the number of persons infected with the viruses. In many cases, due to the huge swell in the number of patients, all of a sudden, hospitals are being overwhelmed and admission seems a difficult task. Time is of the essence in getting treated - whether at home or in a hospital. Most cases can be treated by doctors as OPD patients, with the patient in home isolation.

Here is what you must know about:

Till when can you stay at home after getting infected with the novel coronavirus contagion?

How to take care of yourself at home?

When to visit the hospital after spotting certain symptoms?

 

Dos 

1.  If you have mild symptoms then you can stay at home and take treatment. 

2.  Isolate yourself in a separate room that has an attached bathroom.

3.  If you have a low-grade fever then you can take paracetamol.

4.  Check your fever and oxygen levels at least 10-15 times a day. You can set a reminder for that on your mobile.

5.  If the oxygen level is between 94-100 then you need not worry. If it drops below 94 then contact your doctor.

6.  Have a liquid diet, easy to digest food, and drink at least 8-10 glasses of water. 

Don’ts

1.  Don’t take steroids or Remdesivir without a doctor’s prescription if you have mild symptoms.

2.  If the symptoms are severe then stay in touch with your doctor from time to time. 

3.  If the viral load is high, you will get a fever for at least 5-7 days and your oxygen level will show a dip. So, keep checking the fever and oxygen level.

If the oxygen level is going down continuously, then go to the hospital immediately. 

4.  For this, first, try to check with the nearby hospital regarding the availability of beds. Know which hospitals have a ventilator, ICU, or oxygen beds.

5.  For the oxygen cylinder, you will have to contact government agencies. Do not buy oxygen cylinders in black and waste your time. It is important to get an oxygen supply for the patient at the right time.

6.  Do not take any medication without a doctor’s prescription.

7.  Do not google and take medication. Instead, speak to your family doctor.

8.  If symptoms worsen, get the patient admitted to a hospital (even if you have oxygen cylinder arrangements at home) as every moment of critical care matters to save precious lives.

9.  Don’t take treatment at home if symptoms are severe.

10.  High fever for more than 7 days, low oxygen levels, diarrhoea, breathing problems and chest pain are some of the symptoms that indicate you need immediate hospitalisation.

5 signs of liver damage one must not miss

The liver is an organ about the size of a small football. This large, meaty organ sits on the right side of the belly and weighs about 3 pounds, is reddish-brown in colour and feels rubbery to the touch. Now you may ask why you cannot feel it .... and the answer to that is - because it's protected by the rib cage. 

What does the liver do? It helps us to digest food and to get rid of toxic substances that accumulate inside our body.

Liver disease can be inherited (genetic) or caused by a variety of factors such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity. Over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. 

However, let that not scare you as early recognition of symptoms and prompt treatment can stall the damage and restore health for the patient.

Here are four of the most common signs of liver failure. See your doctor if you notice any of these issues.

1. Fluid retention, swelling on legs, stomach: This is the most common sign of liver disease, appearing in 50 per cent of people who have cirrhosis, a condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Fluid accumulates around your abdominal area and/or legs show swelling. This happens when high blood pressure causes disruption in the process of creating albumin within your liver. Albumin is a protein that prevents leaks from your bloodstream into tissue.

2. Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice): You may notice a marked change in the colour of your eyes, skin and urine. They will look a darker shade of yellow. This happens when bilirubin, a pigment that forms when red blood cells break down, builds up in your bloodstream. A healthy liver absorbs bilirubin and converts it into bile - which is thrown out of the body through the stools.

3. Confusion and difficulty thinking clearly: Hepatic encephalopathy may cause confusion or drowsiness. Loss of brain function occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood. This is called hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This problem may occur suddenly or it may develop slowly over time.

4. Bleeding: Your liver typically cycles about 25% of your blood from the portal vein. But cirrhosis creates an opportunity for bleeding. You may vomit blood or notice blood in the stools or rectal bleeding. Many patients with cirrhosis have portal vein thrombosis, usually, because blood flow through the severely scarred liver is slow and therefore more likely to clot. Any condition that makes blood more likely to clot can cause portal vein thrombosis.

5. Other signs to watch out for:

• Itchy skin
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Tendency to bruise easily

Important:
According to Pub.Med.Gov, the liver disease accounts for approximately 2 million deaths per year worldwide, 1 million due to complications of cirrhosis and 1million due to viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. You must care for your liver health. Reach out to your doctor immediately if you feel pain, discomfort, or any of the above signs and symptoms. Acute liver failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops yellowing of the eyes or skin; tenderness in the upper abdomen; or any unusual changes in mental state, personality or behaviour, seek medical attention right away.