Are you showing covid-19 like symptoms? Well, keep calm and do this

What’s scarier than a 21-day lockdown? Fever, dry cough, and breathlessness. If you have been struggling with covid-19 symptoms, here is what you can do.
covid-19 symptoms
If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, don't panic and read this. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Team Health Shots Updated: 25 Mar 2020, 13:35 pm IST
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The coronavirus pandemic is raging across the world with over 3,82,000 people affected by the disease which has already spread across 195 countries and killed more than 16,500.

There are no vaccines available for covid-19 yet. Those who are infected with the virus may suffer from mild to moderate respiratory illness and require no treatment.

However, the elderly and those who have chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more at risk.

But what are the symptoms of covid-19?
A respiratory disease, its common symptoms include fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Other underlying symptoms could be shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, sore throat as well as rare cases of diarrhoea and runny nose.

Here’s what to do if you start showing symptoms
If by chance you are showing the aforementioned symptoms, the first thing you need to do is inform your immediate family and go into self-isolation.

Coronavirus is not necessarily a fatal disease. Over 86% of people who have been diagnosed with covid-19 so far have survived. But it is a highly contagious disease, which makes self-isolation important. 

  • If you are showing symptoms, stay home and do not have visitors. If there are other members in the family, lock yourself in a well-ventilated room bathroom, and avoid contact with other family members as much as possible.
  • Make sure no one else is using the washroom that you are.
  • Ask one member of the family to be your caregiver, a healthy person who has no underlying conditions that might make him/her vulnerable.
  • Every utensil that is used by you has to be cleaned thoroughly so that it does not infect others.
  • In case you need to share the bathroom, ensure that it is cleaned thoroughly and all frequently touched surfaces are cleaned daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, and keyboards.
  • Please ensure you wear a mask to minimise spread the spread of covid-19. Your caregiver should also be wearing  a mask when with you.
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Also remember, do not rush to your doctor or the emergency room. Hospitals have plans for arrival of potential coronavirus patients, call ahead and do not reach unannounced.

As per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) notifications, anyone who has travelled abroad in the past two weeks and is showing symptoms must undergo the covid-19 test. 

Asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of an infected person should be tested between day 5 and day 14 of coming into contact with the infected person as well.

They suggest that anyone who has come in direct contact of a coronavirus patient or those living in same house with the patient must undergo covid-19 test immediately

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These helplines can help you out too
In case you feel that you are showcasing the symptoms and need more information, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has launched an official WhatsApp chatbot called MyGov Corona Helpdesk in order to make citizens aware of the pandemic.

To use the helpdesk, save the number +91/90131-51515 in your phone’s contact list and send a query related to COVID-19 to get an answer.

The government has also set up two helpline numbers +91-11-2397-8046 and 1075 (toll-free). They also have email ids ncov2019@gov.in and ncov2019@gmail.com to resolve any queries that people might have regarding the dreaded disease. These state helpline numbers can help as well:

coronavirus symptoms
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Alternatively, you can reach out to the DocsApp coronavirus queries helpline at 080/4719-3443. 

So, if you are exhibiting symptoms of covid-19, you should self-isolate and contact doctors or the above-mentioned coronavirus information helplines for advice on testing and referral.

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