What to do if the Corona Virus Strikes.

Good Advice from a Nurse:

So what I have seen a lot of, are recommendations for how to try to avoid getting coronavirus in the first place -- good hand washing, personal hygiene and social distancing.

But what I have NOT seen a lot of, is advice for what happens if you actually get it, which many of us will. So as your friendly neighborhood Nurse let me make some suggestions.

You basically just want to prepare as though you know you’re going to get a nasty respiratory bug, like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it’s coming!

Things you should actually buy ahead of time (not sure what the obsession with toilet paper is?): Kleenex, Paracetamol Ibuprofen (Advil), whatever your generic mucus thinning cough medicine of choice is (check the label and make sure you're not doubling up on Paracetamol) Honey and lemon can work just as well! Vick vaporub for your chest is also a great suggestion.

If you don’t have a humidifier, that would be a good thing to buy and run in your room when you go to bed overnight. (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam). If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn’t expired and refill it/get a new one if it is.

This is also a good time to meal prep: make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand. Stock up on whatever your favorite clear fluids are to drink - though tap water is fine you may appreciate some variety.

For symptom management, use the meds mentioned. For a fever over 101, alternate Paracetamol and Ibuprofen so you’re taking a dose of one then the other every 3 hours.

Hydrate (drink!) hydrate hydrate! Rest lots. You should not be leaving your house! Even if you are feeling better may will still be infectious for fourteen days and older people and those with existing health conditions should be avoided! Ask friends and family to leave supplies outside to avoid contact.

You DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high (over 103.5) and unmanaged with meds. 90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration/over-the-counter meds. If you are worried or in distress or feel your symptoms are getting worse, ring 111 and they will advise if you need to go to hospital. The hospital beds will be used for people who actively need oxygen/breathing treatments/IV fluids.

If you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosuppressants, now is a great time to talk to your Doctor or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick.

One major relief to you parents is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus— they usually bounce back in a few days (but they will still be infectious), NO ONE under 18 has died, and almost no kids have required hospitalization (unless they have a lung disease like CF). Just use pediatric dosing. Be calm and prepare rationally and everything will be fine.