It’s been months now, still stressing about the virus?

As we all know, the last couple of months have been the most difficult for all of us and the most common emotion faced by all of us in unity is FEAR.
Washing hands, using sanitizer, maintaining social distance, staying at home, eating healthy, drinking water, taking care of hygiene, not panic and taking care of your both physical and mental health are the basic guidelines to follow.
We should start taking care of each other. 
Hospitals are full. Medical centres are full. What do you think should be the next step to take care of this highly contagious pandemic?

Home isolation treatment and quarantine.

Yes, you heard it absolutely right. Home isolation and treatment is now a new treatment option for people who are infected with pre symptomatic and mild symptoms.

What is the difference between Isolation and Quarantine?
 

Isolation
 
Isolation refers to separating sick people with a contagious disease from those who are not ill. Hospitals use isolation for those who can spread illness quickly to others. A person who has symptoms of Covid-19 need to isolate themselves in a specific room away from their household members. It is recommended that an isolated person should not share anything with other members like dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items.

 
Quarantine
 
Quarantine refers to limiting the freedom of the person who has been exposed to a communicable disease or condition. Quarantine helps to limit the spread of contagious disease. Because of the current COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, many people have been told to quarantine, which means to stay at home for 14 days and stay away from people. Quarantine includes void shopping, crowd, socialising, and eating out.

 
Guidelines for home isolation:

Eligibility:
 
According to the ministry of health and family welfare, the following is the eligibility criteria for home isolation:
The person should be clinically proven to be the case of a presymptomatic or very mild symptom.
They should have seperate room for the patient and other family members along with an attached washroom to facilitate the quarantine of both patient and family.
The caregiver should be available 24X7 to provide the support and look after the patient.
The caregiver and all close contacts of such cases should take Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis as per protocol and as prescribed by the treating medical officer.
The patient will always agree to monitor his/her health regularly, and the report should be updated to the District Surveillance Officer for further follow up by the surveillance teams.
 

Exact need to seek medical attention:

Difficulty in breathing
Continuous pain/pressure in the chest
Presence of Cyanosis: developing the bluish discolouration on lip/face etc.

 
Guidelines to discontinue home isolation/quarantine:
 
Home isolation period should be 17 days and this period will start after the onset of symptoms and end exactly after 17 days along with no fever for 10 days.
Once the home isolation/ quarantine is over there’s no need for testing.

 
Guidelines for caregivers:
 
If you have a patient or any of your family members is being exposed to the virus and assigned for presymptomatic or mild symptoms you should take care of the following points:
 
If you’re a healthcare professional:
 
Always wear personal protection equipment (PPE).
Make sure the patient is quarantined in a separate room attached to a personal washroom and is not coming in contact with any other family member.
The above guidelines should be followed and checked regularly.
The complete health assessment should be done and sent to the District Surveillance Officer for further follow up.
 
 

If you’re not a healthcare professional

 
You can help the patient to follow the specific instructions given by the doctors.
You can make sure they eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
Help them with the basic needs like food and groceries shopping, the medication refills, etc.
If you have a pet at home, make sure there is a limited or if possible no contact with the patient.
You should be well aware of the time when you need emergency medical attention for the patient.
Difficulty in breathing
Continuous pain/pressure in the chest
Presence of Cyanosis: developing the bluish discolouration on lip/face etc.

 
Inability to stay conscious.

 
How can you as a caregiver protect yourself?

 
There are few basic rules to follow if you're taking care of a home isolated patient.
 
Wear the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Always make sure the company you’re serving or in case, you’re not a healthcare professional that you’re well stocked with the gloves, gowns, masks etc.
Hand wash should be done and sanitizers should be used before and after the contact with the patient.
 
Make sure the patient doesn’t come out of the isolation and infect others.
The patient should always be kept 6ft away from the other family members.
Maintain a proper distance.
 
Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis
Proper prescribed dose should be taken by the caregiver and the family members.
 
So, let’s take a stand for those who need us and take care of one another and hope for this phase to pass as soon as possible because nothing is permanent. Ever!