What to do if you test positive for Covid-19.
Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country and we find ourselves once again in a National Lockdown. The advice being, to stay at home, save lives and protect the NHS. Everywhere we look we are likely to see some guidance about how to help stop the spread of the virus, Government restrictions on specific reasons we are permitted to leave the house. Support bubbles and childcare bubbles have created a large difference to original Lockdown circa March 2020 but all around its a scary place once more, the outside world.
With localised cases of Coronavirus rising in big numbers according to our Government, especially in London and the South East of England, many more people are contracting the virus.
Some data shows that the new strain of Coronavirus spreads up to 70% more easily which means that during this second National Lockdown many more of us will catch Coronavirus or know of someone close to us who has.
While there is plenty of advice about stopping the spread and what to do in the first instances of contracting the virus, we haven’t seen a lot of advice about how to cope if we do find ourselves or our family members testing positive and having to go through the pretty nasty business and uncertainty that is Covid-19!
Its going to be a pretty horrible time, whoever you are it certainly isn’t something that will be a pleasant experience, not to mention those of us who have an underlying health condition or have been recognised as clinically extremely vulnerable during this last 10 months.
It’s important to remember that the majority of people who have contracted Coronavirus make a full recovery. The main three symptoms according to the NHS are a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of taste and smell. Tiredness and a headache are also widely reported, not to mention aches and pains, sore throat, nasal congestion, red eyes, diarrhoea, or a skin rash - the upshot is, its not very nice!
So, what can we do to lessen the stress and effects that Coronavirus could have on our bodies?
You might get some relief from a high temperature if you get lots of sleep and rest, drink lots of water, take paracetamol or ibuprofen – while there have been false reports suggesting that ibuprofen could make coronavirus worse. The World Health Organization (WHO) have found no scientific evidence to support this.
If you have a cough you could elevate your head and shoulders with pillows, try having a spoon of honey, alone or with hot lemon water (infants under 12 months should not have honey), breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, avoid lying on your back – lie on your side or sit upright instead.
If you feel breathless keep your room cool by turning the heating down or opening a window – its advised not to use a fan as it may spread the virus, sit upright in a chair and relax your shoulders, try breathing slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle. Feeling breathless can be very frightening, try not to panic. For more information visit >>
It is said that the average time for recovery is under 2 weeks for the majority of people who get Coronavirus. In some cases, it can take up to 3-6 weeks for initial symptoms like fever, coughing and breathlessness to resolve.
There isn’t an awful lot of guidance pertaining to supplements and vitamins that could help us to fight Coronavirus. Vitamin D has certainly stolen the spot light so to speak, our skin naturally makes it when it is exposed to the sun, is important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles and there are also suggestions that vitamin D boosts the immune system and helps fight off infections. With so many of us now being forced back indoors we may not be getting enough vitamin D this winter, the NHS has suggested we could all do with a boost - for more information please visit >>
