Do you have mild COVID-19 symptoms? Tips for care at home.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 70,532 reported COVID-19 infections in Shelby County, including 7,152 active cases as of Tuesday, according to the health department. While at least 945 people have died and many more have required hospitalization, the vast majority of those infected with COVID-19 do not require inpatient medical care.
However, that does not mean their symptoms, even if categorized as mild, are not uncomfortable or painful. And doctors say many COVID-19 patients can seem OK before suddenly becoming extremely sick.
“To anybody who's got it now and is worried about what they can do, it's a fairly simple instruction,” said Dr. Steve Threlkeld, co-chair of the infection control program at Baptist Memorial Hospital-memphis. “Get yourself a good oxygen saturation monitor, if you can, and check your oxygen saturation fairly regularly.”
Oximeters can be purchased at most pharmacies, in the pharmacy sections at many grocery stores or on Amazon.
Threlkeld said the intensity of symptoms, including diarrhea, muscle aches and other COVID-19 symptoms, doesn't necessarily indicate who will need serious medical attention and develop lung problems.
“There are plenty of people who get short of breath and have a terrible cough who do not have a drop in their oxygen. Their oxygen is actually OK when you measure it. Those people are probably still OK. You can treat the symptoms of cough and headache and the other things,” he said.
What worries Threlkeld is people whose oxygen levels drop without external indicators.
“They don't have a lot of shortness of breath, they feel OK but when you measure their oxygen it's quite low and in some cases dangerously low. And those people can go a long way over the cliff before you realize that you're in trouble,” he said.
Threlkeld added people should not take steroids if they are at home and oxygen levels are at a good level or take antibiotics unless directed by a physician to do so.
How to manage mild symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends many of the same practices taken for managing other illnesses.
If you have COVID-19 or are taking care of a family member or someone you cohabitate with who does, it is important for the person who is sick to stay hydrated and drink a lot of fluids. Tylenol can help manage discomfort associated with fever, headache and other symptoms.
Using a humidifier, taking a hot shower or using a chest rub like Vicks Vaporub can also help manage symptoms like chest congestion.
The CDC also recommends keeping in close contact with a primary care doctor and seeking medical care if the individual with COVID-19 experiences trouble breathing, a drop in blood oxygen levels, an inability to wake up or stay awake, persistent chest pressure and “blueish lips or face.”
If you do seek emergency care or call 911, let the dispatcher or medical worker know that you or the person you are caring for has COVID-19.
For caretakers of people with COVID-19, the CDC and World Health Organization recommend limiting contact with the individual with COVID-19 as much as possible and limiting contact between the person with the virus and any pets.
Disinfect commonly touched surfaces routinely, do not share items like plates, cups or towels, practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask and frequently remove waste — like tissues or paper towels used by the person with COVID-19 — in secure bags and boxes from your home.
Corinne Kennedy covers economic development, soccer and COVID-19’S impact on hospitals for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.kennedy@commercialappeal.com or at 901297-3245.