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Covid Care, Facts Questions answered

Updated: May 15, 2021

Current uncertain circumstances, it helps to get some understanding and a place to turn to clear those worries and doubts.

In the current desperate situation we see a struggle for Oxygen and medical Aid in almost all cities. This situation can be made better if we come together as community and help each other by sharing Oxygen and other aids.


Yes it is Okay to share even in current situation and you can help save a life by sharing oxygen.


Every life matters.


We would like you to stay safe and healthy while you help others by sharing your items

We have put together for you some tips for Covid care, Facts about Vaccines, how to protect yourself with masks and how to sanitize your home/stuff that you bring home.



Credit : Srihari Seshadri, MBBS, PhD, MPH





COVID-19 Vaccines




Basics

Incubation Period

  • Usually 4-5 days (range from 2-14 days)

Infectious Period: 2 days before onset of symptoms

  • To about 10-14 days after onset of symptoms

See symptoms


Mode of Transmission

  • Breathing in droplets or particles

  • Direct splashes and sprays

  • Touching eyes, nose or mouth


Prevention

  • Wear Mask

  • Social Distancing

  • Hand-washing

  • Vaccination

  • Sanitizing items

  • Washing/cleaning vegetables with vinegar/Salt + Baking soda


Masks

Cloth mask : 2 or more layers of washable breathable fabric

Surgical Mask : Single use – to be used not more than 6-8 hours

Double Mask : 2 layer cloth mask worn over Surgical mask



How use mask?

  • When wearing use clean fresh mask as often as possible

  • Completely cover your nose and mouth

  • Should fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps

  • Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask

  • If mask is wet – it is not going to function, remove it and use fresh one

  • Remove holding the ear loops/ties

  • Don’t touch the front of mask

  • Place it separately in a bag till it can be washed.

Wash and care

  • Wash with detergent and iron it for reuse

Social Distancing

  • Stay 6 feet apart

  • Avoid crowds

  • Avoid poorly ventilated indoor places

Travel in car/cab

  • Both driver and passenger should wear mask

  • Turn off A/C

  • Open windows

  • Don’t sit directly behind the driver

Hand washing

  • Wash with soap and water

  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available

Vaccine

  • Very important to receive your COVID-19 vaccine

  • Vaccine does not cause COVID-19 disease


Symptoms



Common Symptoms Serious - Rare

Fever Difficulty Breathing

Fry Cough Chest pain or pressure

Fatigue Difficulty staying awake

Sore Throat Confusion

Congestion or runny nose

Headache

Muscle and Body Aches

New loss of taste or smell

Nausea & or Vomiting

Diarrhea


Please Don't Panic

  • 80 to 85% are asymptomatic or have mild disease

  • 10 to 15% have moderate disease

  • 5% have severe disease



Management

Mild: Home isolation and care

Moderate: Hospital Ward

Severe: Hospital ICU


Mild Condition

  • Upper respiratory tract symptoms (&/or fever) WITHOUT shortness of breath

Home Care

  • Physical distancing,

  • indoor mask use,

  • strict hand hygiene

Monitor

  • Temperature – Home Thermometer

  • Oxygen saturation- Pulse Oximeter >94%


Symptomatic Management


Please Consult physician/doctor . These are suggestions not prescriptions


Hydration :

  • Oral Rehydration Solution (e.g. Electral powder)

  • If commercial product is not available: 6 teaspoons of sugar, ½ teaspoon of salt in one liter of water.

Fever

Take Paracetamol or Crocin or Dolo – one tablet every 8 hours


Cough and Cold

  • Antitussives/antihistamines: E.g. Diphenhydramine, Ceterizine, Loratidine

  • Multivitamins

  • Steaming & Salt Water gargling - See How to take steam inhalation

Seek Immediate attention & help if

  • Difficulty in breathing

  • High grade fever/severe cough, particularly if lasting for >5 days


Moderate Condition

ADMIT IN WARD

Patient has any one of these symptoms

  • Respiratory rate > 24/min, breathlessness

  • SpO2: 90% to < 93% on room air


Severe Condition

ADMIT IN ICU

Patient has any one of these symptoms

  • Respiratory rate > 30/min, breathlessness

  • SpO2: < 90% on room air




Test for COVID-19

  • RT-PCR - (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction)

  • RAT - Rapid Antigen Test

  • HR-CT Scan - is usually recommended by doctors for patients with severe symptoms



How to sanitize items

What you need ,

Clean cotton cloth,

70% isopropyl alcohol sanitizer

  • Pour the sanitizer over the cotton cloth just enough to get it wet

  • Squeeze out excess and make sure the cloth stays wet.

  • Wipe all the surfaces of the device/instrument cover as many crevices as possible.

  • Start wiping down clean area and move to dirty area..

  • Do not allow the sanitizer to drip or go into the sockets, outlets of the device.

  • let it sit for 2-3 minutes and dry out on its own.

  • If possible put the items in a plastic bag and leave it aside for 72 hrs. or longer.

  • Wash your hand thoroughly with soap

  • wash the cloth with detergent if using washing machine, It can be washed along with your clothes. Set it to warmest setting possible for the wash load.

Here is a video to help - How to clean and disinfect



How to take steam inhalation

Steam Inhalation gives relief for nasal congestion and cough

Take 3 to 4 times a day with 5 minutes for each session


  • Boil Water and pour the hot water slowly and carefully into a vessel preferably with flat bottom (to avoid any fall/spillage)

  • Put the vessel containing hot water on a stable surface

  • Put a towel over the back of your head

  • Move your head towards the hot water vessel until you are about 6 inches away.

  • To prevent burns, avoid direct contact with the water or hot vessel

  • Open your mouth widely to inhale steam through your mouth and exhale through your nose slowly for 5 minutes





COVID-19 Vaccines

  • If there is delay in getting your 2nd dose

No need to restart the vaccination series

  • If infected between 2 doses:

2nd dose to be taken 8 weeks after the first positive RT-PCR result




Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines


Vaccine:

  • Prevents severe disease and death

  • Does not cause COVID-19 disease

  • Does not cause infertility

  • Does not change your DNA

  • Can be given during menses

Vaccine can be given to elderly, folks with underlying health issues or asthma or allergies, on blood thinners


Not considered protected until 3 weeks after the vaccine series



Contraindication/precautions

Contraindications:

  • History of Anaphylaxis to the contents of vaccine

  • Don’t take any vaccine when you are currently sick

Precautions:

  • Blood thinners- you may bleed (request smaller needle)

  • Pregnant/lactating women talk with your OBGYN


Do’s and Don’ts after vaccination

Do’s

  • Keep yourself hydrated well

  • Can use Paracetamol/Acetaminophen for

  • mild symptoms

  • Continue:

    • Masking

    • Maintaining Social Distance

    • Handwashing

    • Vaccination series

Dont's

  • Panic

  • Let your guards down


Schematic structure of SARS-CoV-2 with its key structural proteins as target antigens for various vaccines production platform






Resources/References and further reading



Covid-19 Handbook for Bangalore with Complete Resources

Clinical Guidance For Management Of Adult Covid-19 Patients

COVID-19 vaccine: A recent update in pipeline vaccines, their design and development strategies









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