16/03/2020
Good advice from a nurse if you should get the virus: I know we’re all tired of hearing/talking about it, but one thing I HAVEN’T really seen going around is advice for what happens if you DO get coronavirus as we're only seeing advice for how to try to AVOID it.
Things you should *actually* buy ahead of time:
Kleenex, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in 325 mg tablets, Ibuprofen (Advil) in 200 mg tablets, Mucinex, Robitussin or DayQuil/NyQuil, whatever your cough medicine of choice is. For those with High Blood Pressure Coricidan HBP works great. Also, start taking your vitamins to build up your immune system like Vitamins C, D, & Zinc. (Vitamin C is known to be very helpful).
If you don’t have a humidifier, get one if possible. (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam). This helps to clear your lungs and makes breathing easier. Also make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand.
You basically just want to prepare as though you know you’re going to get a nasty respiratory bug like the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia.
For symptom management, use the meds mentioned. For a fever over 101, alternate Tylenol and Advil so you’re taking a dose of one or the other every 3 hours. Use both cough suppressants and expectorants (most cough meds have both). Drink a ton of water! HYDRATE,HYDRATE and GET Lots of REST!
If you're sick, you should not be leaving your house except to go to the doctor, and if you do, wear a mask (regular is fine, you don’t need an N95) and gloves. You DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE ER unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high ( over 101) and unmanaged with meds.
90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration/over-the-counter meds. We don’t want to clog the ERs unless you’re actually in distress. The hospital beds will be used for people who 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 P*P or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick. They might have plans to get you admitted and bypass the ER entirely.
One major relief to you as a parent is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus— they usually bounce back in a few days, 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 of the same meds.
Peace & Blessings To All
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