My mother tested COVID-19 positive and took Paracetamol for fever for five days. What to do next?

Question

Hi doctor,

My mother tested positive for COVID-19 five days before. Since then, she has been in quarantine. The day she got the report, she received medication for five days, and that ends today.

As of now, she is experiencing mild symptoms (100-degree temperature and dizziness). She has an oximeter and checks in at day-to-day intervals. Mostly it is 97 percent. We do not have any suggested medication for tomorrow.

I have researched it and found out that 'Acetaminophen' is the recommended medicine.

If she continues to experience the symptoms from tomorrow, can she use it without any doctor's suggestion?

Alternatively, I request that you suggest to us any steps we can take to recover more quickly.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and can understand your concern.

So, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) can be divided into mild, moderate, and severe illnesses. When there are only mild symptoms and oxygen saturation is fine, it is a mild disease managed at home with a doctor consultation based on the need.

COVID-19 complications start from day 5 of illness and can occur up to day 13. So it is crucial to have an approximate idea of the day of infection to monitor at home.

Also, patients who have co-morbidities like diabetes or heart disease are more prone to complications and may need some preventive drugs. In your mother's case, I would like to know when her symptoms started.

Does she have any other illnesses or take any other medication?
Have you done any further investigations, such as CT (computed tomography) scans or blood tests?
Does she have any other symptoms, like breathing difficulty or cough?

Acetaminophen is Paracetamol, which she can take whenever needed for fever without consultation (daily up to four tablets). Additionally, continue to monitor her oxygen levels. Check whether there is any fall after brisk walking at home for six minutes. Take Vitamin C and Zinc tablets daily along with Multivitamins.

If possible, get blood tests for CBC (complete blood count), D-dimer, and CRP (C-reactive protein), and revert or seek medical help immediately if her oxygen saturation goes below 95 percent.

I hope this helps you.

Take care.

Regards.