My father has tested positive for COVID-19. What precautions should we take?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father has tested positive but does not have fever or shortness of breath. He has a mild cough and weakness. He had a fever somewhere between 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but after taking medicine, the temperature is normal.

What are the precautions we need to take?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your query.

It indicates that your father is suffering from a milder form of COVID.

During COVID day 5 to 10 of illness is very important as complications tends to occur during these days. The fever tends to be continuous or on and off? Measure SPO2 once every six hours, even if there are no symptoms. SPO2 measurement while your father is sleeping, is mandatory. If saturation goes less than 90 (even if your father is feeling well), visit a nearby hospital immediately. You can give warm juice containing vitamin C like lemon juice, milk containing turmeric and ginger in the morning and night. Give paracetamol for reducing the fever (if there is fever). You can give him multivitamin tablets once a day. In COVID, there is something called happy hypoxia where the patient appears normal, but SPO2 goes down. Always beware of it. It still needs treatment. Watch for other complications like disorientation, leg pain, chest pain, breathing difficulty, and report to the nearby hospital if it occurs. Taking good rest is mandatory. Do not stop the medications without the doctor's advice. Daily regular breathing exercise is mandatory. Be supportive of him morally. Once he has recovered from the illness, you should still watch for post-COVID complications.

While managing him, use personal protective measures to safeguard yourself.

He will recover very soon.

Take care.