India is battling with the second wave of Covid-19. Moreover, a double mutated strain of the virus has been found which is proving to be deadly than the first wave. This time, it is creating havoc amongst the youngsters and children. Also, the new Covid cases may not be detected easily by the usual RT PCR tests.
To keep the infection at bay, it is always better to stay indoors and prevent yourselves from going out. If the need arises, use N95 masks or follow the double masking method (surgical mask+cloth mask). Practice social distancing and keep 6 feet distance from others. Also, avoid unventilated spaces. Wash your hands regularly with soap or use hand sanitisers while going out.
If you are suspicious of any bodily changes, it is always advised to go for a Covid test. Watch out for the symptoms and get yourself tested before the infection spreads. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) offers free testing at primary healthcare centres (PHCs). It also has some mobile testing units that travel through the wards. You can call on BBMP’s zonal helplines or call the common helpline at +91-11-23978046 to find the closes testing centre in Karnataka.
Last year’s symptoms dry cough, weakness, breathing problems, loss of smell/taste. This year, the symptoms have expanded and include headache, mild diarrhoea, body ache, weakness, uneasy feeling, vomiting, conjunctivitis.
Call from the BBMP
You will be required to give details such as your name and phone number at the time of testing. You will get a call from BBMP officials if you are tested positive. The BBMP then assigns a doctor from the PHCs and you can contact them to clear your medical doubts. The BBMP also sends a basic medical kit with necessary medicines and supplements like paracetamol, vitamin C, B12, zinc etc along with instructions on dosage.
You can decide to decline those service and contact your own doctor if you wish to.
What to do if you are tested Covid-positive?
Isolate yourself: If you have the symptoms of Covid-19, the first step to follow is isolation. Isolate yourself in a well-ventilated room with an attached bathroom so you don’t need to get out of the room. Keep separate utensils and utilities for yourself so that they don’t come in contact with the others. Those around you should also be tested to avoid the risk of exposure to the virus. A BBMP health worker will come to your home to perform RT PCR tests on day 1, 7 and 14. Consult your doctor for medication and dietary changes. Patients with mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, those who have the facility for isolation at home and those who have a caregiver at eligible for home isolation.
Decide about your caregiver
Even if you are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, you should have a caregiver to look after your needs during the home isolation period. The caregiver should be someone who is healthy and who does not have any pre-existing ailments.
Keep these things handy
If you are treated positive, it is essential to keep the contacts with the family doctor/neighbourhood doctor for timely medical assistance. You should keep the Covid helpline numbers, numbers of ambulance, hospitals, medical oxygen cylinder provider, local plasma bank, Covid testing labs.
Also, keep insurance details, medical records, list of allergies etc. Home isolation declaration, printed with a few spare copies should also be in possession with you.
Apart from this, a pulse oximeter to regularly keep a check on your oxygen saturation levels is a necessity. Face masks, thermometers, regular medicines, electric steamer, hand sanitiser, disinfectants etc are also to be kept handy.
Track your symptoms
When tested positive, it is important to keep a track of your symptoms from the first day itself. Check your oxygen levels regularly, follow the proning method to increase the level of oxygen if your oxygen saturation becomes low at any point. If you have a mild fever, keep checking the temperature regularly. Consume medicines with a doctor’s prescription and practice steam inhalation which has been proven to be effective against the virus that hides in the nasal passage.
Intervention
If your oxygen level drops below 94%, then it is extremely necessary to rush to the hospital. Also, if the pulse rate is less than 120/min, seek medical assistance immediately. The civic body offers a free ambulance service to the nearest Covid-19 centre hospital. You can avail the service by contacting the Covid-19 helpline.
Comorbid patients who are not under good clinical assistance and pregnant women who are about to deliver within 2 weeks are advised to seek hospitalisation.
Contact tracing
This step plays a crucial role in preventing the further spread of the virus. If you are tested Covid-positive and have come in contact with others, then it is likely that they will spread the infection unknowingly. This, right after you are tested positive, BBMP workers will trace your contacts. But, in some wards, the Covid patients are themselves required to contact the people with whom they have done the interaction.
Ending your isolation period
Normally the isolation period ends in 14 days. On the final day, a health worker with the BBMP will conduct another test after which you are tested negative and are considered as recovered.
Take necessary precautions to end the isolation in a proper way. Sanitise the area where you were isolated, segregate the waste and disinfect the surroundings.
Getting Covid-negative does not simply mean that you are completely safe from the infection. You may also have symptoms lingering inside your body which will take time to recover. This, it is better to seek advice from your doctor about the continuation of the medicines and also about additional quarantine because even after being negative, you may still have a speck of the virus inside you.
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