We may all come into contact with Covid at some point in the next year or so, so we wanted to find some evidence based tips for helping manage Covid 19 at home. Check out our 10 self isolation tips for managing Covid at home.
Please note – always follow medical advice – this is intended to complement not substitute medical advice.
Things you will need – thermometer, sanitiser, mask, bleach, supplements, a cell phone, cough syrup, immune support herbs, oxymeter
Sun bathing and fresh air were used during the Tuberculosis outbreak in 1940s
- Firstly, we want to avoid spreading the infection in the home. We know that your closest contacts are the most likely to be infected so the most important thing is to try not to spread it. How do we do this? Firstly, if you suspect you have Covid, and before you even have a test result returned, wear a mask in the home. This will reduce the viral load your household contacts come into contact with. All coughs and sneezes should be contained, sneezing into the elbow is good, but sneezing into a hankie or tissue is better. If you have children, staying in a managed isolation facility is the best option. If you can secure a pack of N95 masks household members can wear these, this type of mask contains a filter which helps reduce the risk of catching it, basic masks reduce the chance of spreading.
- One of the most important things you can do is to ventilate the house. Opening windows and doors is the number one thing you can do to reduce the viral load circulating in the air. If you can, stay in a separate room, and use a separate toilet and bathroom, get food brought to your door by another member of the house or a visitor to your front door. Even better is to self isolate outside during the day, with a make-shift bed in the fresh air and sunlight. Now this is weather dependent and also if it is a hot sunny day make sure you are protected form the sun as well.
- We all know this advice but it is crucial if you have a Covid infection. Wash your hands each time you touch your face or cough to prevent contaminating surfaces. Carry a sanitiser around with you at home for ease of use. MAke cure you have bleach on hand too and disinfect your own surfaces after you if you have Covid.
- Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is extremely important when you are sick, especially if you area sweating with a fever. 2-3 litres is about the right amount. Space your water throughout the day, 6-8 glasses. When you feel thirsty drink to your thirst, if you have a fever you will likely need more as you sweat.
- You may have heard of proning. This is an old fashioned technique which involves lying on your tummy. It was used during Tuberculosis outbreaks and helps you breathe by taking the pressure off the back which is where most of the lung is situated. Essentially most of the alveoli are in the back of the lungs, this is why the doctor places the stethoscope on your back when listening to the lungs. How to prone – lye on your tummy with your chest faced down and your back faced up so the lungs get more space for air. When you breathe in make sure your ribcage expands to accommodate the lungs expanding. Check out this 6 minute you tube video to learn more about it. This technique should be used if you have a cough and shortness of breath, so as soon as you have these symptoms start proning and phone for medical help as these signs indicate a moderate and potentially severe Covid infection.
- Oxygen meters – when infected with Sars-Cov-2 which is the name of the virus that causes Covid-19, we know that if the infection gets into the lungs the lung damage starts quite quickly. This why as soon as you know you have Covid you must call your GP or Healthline and they will organise an Oxymeter. This is a small machine which checks your oxygen levels. This is highly important as you can have lowered oxygen levels without knowing, and this what causes most of the damage during a Covid infection. After all, we need our lungs to breathe and we need oxygen every minute of the day, this is what makes Covid infection potentially dangerous and why having a strong, balanced immunity is so important.
- We want you to take nutrients to ensure your body has what it needs to fight infection. If you aren’t already taking Vitamin D, C, zinc & selenium then phone us for a phone appointment and we will get your nutrients and immune balancing herbs prescribed to help your symptoms. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to more severe Covid outcomes and low vitamin C levels are linked to sepsis, low zinc levels are linked to increased respiratory infections and selenium is linked to poor immune outcomes. Other important nutrients for the immune response include Vitamin A, iron, Vitamin B12, folate and more. In essence, all nutrients are required for cellular function and metabolism. Omega 3 and 6 are beneficial nutrients for controlling the immune response and keeping the blood viscosity neutral and probiotics help support a balanced immune response.
- Use a cough syrup such as our Cough Medicine or Lung elixir to help the dry cough. Coughing spread droplets so having a good cough remedy on hand can help slow the spread, help you sleep and get better faster, so have a cough syrup on hand. Throat sprays and lozenges are also helpful for the Omicron variant as it infects the upper respiratory tract too. We also have Immune Tonics and Immune Support tonics for Covid infection – please note these are not antiviral they support a balanced immune response and can be taken prior to or during infection. See our Covid Support Package for more info.
- Saline nasal spray keeps the nasal passages clear and may help lower the viral load in the nasal mucous membranes in the early stages of infection, and with Omicron infecting the upper part of the respiratory tract this may prove to be a godsend! Regardless this will help clear a runny nose and this will make you feel better.
- Managing fever is important during any infection. With a Covid infection knowing your temperature is important so make sure you have a thermometer on hand. A fever above 39 degrees must be reported to your medical team or Healthline as this indicates the seriousness of the infection.
Remember Covid has 3 stages:
- Early stage pre-symptomatic infection – before you know you have it when the viral load is building up, this lasts 2-3 days then symptoms appear.
- Acute infection – viral load is high, symptoms appear and early management is beneficial to help the immune system.
- Late stage infection – the body has cleared much of the viral load but inflammation has appeared in the lungs & blood vessels and the effects of the infection can appear throughout the body. The brain can become affected if the oxygen levels are low. Medical help must be sought if symptoms such as inability to breathe properly and cough appear.
Check out the official guidance from the Ministry of Health here too https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/advice-people-covid-19#isolating