Managing Covid-19 at home: What you must know

So you’ve got Covid-19. Here’s our complete guide to handling the illness – everything from the medicines you need to the warning signs to watch out for.

For many people, Covid-19 will last about as long as a cold or flu.

Contracting Covid-19 has gone from being a remote possibility to a realistic one, but doctors stress a few pharmacy medicines and a commonsense approach are all most Australians will need to pull through.

According to the federal government, about four out of five Australians infected with Covid-19 will experience only mild or moderate symptoms – although even these levels of illness require good home care.

Experts say the first step is to ensure you have sufficient supplies of pain relief, cough medicine, throat lozenges and those old pandemic staples – masks and sanitiser – on hand.

As a positive Covid-19 test mandates an immediate seven-day isolation period, it’s too late to buy those things afterwards.

“A Covid positive preparation is absolutely vital,” said Dr Karen Price, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

“That means having some Rapid Antigen Test kits on hand, if you can, as well as some analgesics, your favourite paracetamol brand, some Nurofen – unless you are pregnant – a thermometer to monitor your temperature, and throat lozenges to give you symptomatic relief, because a very dry scratchy throat is a common symptom of Covid.”

Dr Karen Price, President of the RACGP. Picture: Supplied

Maintaining fluids was critically important for the Covid-positive patient, she said.

“You can use water, but you can also use preparations like Hydralyte, a balanced electrolyte solution which you can get from the chemist,” she said.

But she explicitly advised against sports drinks like Gatorade, as they are “too concentrated”.

Brenton Hart, Chief Pharmacist for Terry White Chemmart, said hydration support products “can really make a difference in helping a person feel better quicker”.

“From a pharmacists’ perspective, we’re also seeing a lot of gastrointestinal symptoms come about from Omicron: nausea, loss of appetite, in some cases diarrhoea and vomiting, so having those rehydration salts on hand makes a lot of sense. There are also ice block versions for kids,” he said.

Brenton Hart

During cold and flu season, the first sign of a scratchy throat can prompt many people to reach for echinacea and other products billed as having ‘first defence’ properties, but Dr Price said there was no strong evidence supporting their use in preventing Covid-19 or lessening its effects.

“There’s pretty mixed evidence with pretty low quality studies on the use of those. If people feel more comfortable taking them they’re going to do that, but it’s not something a medical doctor is going to recommend,” she said.

Another response at the first sign of illness is to follow the adage “feed a cold and starve a fever,” but Dr Price said it didn’t necessarily apply to Covid-19.

She advised following a “food as tolerated” approach, but to stick with meals that were easily digested rather than dishes that were heavy or overly spicy.

One item proposed as a tool for the at-home management of Covid-19 is a pulse oximeter, those little plastic clamps that fit over a fingertip, often seen in hospitals. The device painlessly measures the amount of oxygen in the blood, with readings in the high 90s considered normal, and readings in the low 90s a cause for serious concern, even hospitalisation.

Hydralyte stocks are already running short in some chemists.

COMMON FIRST SYMPTOMS

● Scratchy or sore throat

● Lower back pain

● Runny or congested nose

● Headache

● Fatigue

● Sneezing

● Night sweats

● Body aches

WHAT MILD SYMPTOMS ARE LIKE

Mild upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as a congested or runny nose, sneezing, or a scratchy or sore throat

Cough

New aches and pains, or lethargy or weakness without shortness of breath

Mild headache

Mild fever that responds to treatment

Loss of smell or taste

Loss of appetite, nausea, occasional vomiting or diarrhoea

WHAT MODERATE SYMPTOMS ARE LIKE

Breathlessness on mild exertion (for example, walking up a flight of stairs)

Fever (temperature greater than 38°C) or feeling hot, and not responding to treatment

Coughing up mucous regularly

Signs of dehydration (dizziness when standing up, passing less urine than usual)

Significant fatigue or lethargy

Headache that doesn’t respond to medication

WHAT SEVERE SYMPTOMS ARE LIKE

Breathlessness at rest and or you’re unable to speak in sentences

Unconscious, faint or drowsy

Skin turning blue or pale

Cold and clammy, or pale and mottled, skin

Pain or pressure in the chest lasting more than 10 minutes

Confusion

Passing a lot less urine than usual

Coughing up blood

If you have underlying health conditions, or you take a turn for the worse, don’t delay getting medical advice.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL YOUR GP?

HealthDirect advises asking yourself the following questions three times a day — morning, afternoon and night. Can I get my own food? Can I drink? Can I go to the toilet normally? Can I take my regular medication? If you answer no to any of these questions, call your GP.

HOW LONG DOES COVID LAST

Incubation period ranges from 1-14 days. Most people develop symptoms 5-6 days after transmission. Duration of illness can be extremely variable – from several days (remember mandatory isolation is for seven days) up to several months.

WHAT TO HAVE ON HAND

ESSENTIAL ITEMS

Throat lozenges

A dry, scratchy throat is common. Look for the varieties that also treat coughs, as this can be another symptom.

Cough medicine

Speak to your GP or pharmacist about whether a suppressant or an expectorant is better for you, An expectorant will help you bring up excess mucous.

Stocking up on a few essentials while everyone in your household is fit and healthy is a good idea.

Pain relief

Get at least a week’s supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen, as multiple members of the household may require pain relief. Remember pregnant women should not take Nurofen.

Water or electrolyte solutions

Dr Karen Price advised going for Hydralyte, available at chemists, and staying clear of sports drinks.

Food

Ensure your freezer and pantry is well-stocked with nutritious meals beforehand – or arrange for a friend to drop off supplies in a socially-distanced and contactless way.

Boxes of tissues and thermometer

Don’t forget the basics.

Masks, gloves, sanitiser

If a member of your household gets Covid-19 and needs to isolate within the home, masks, gloves and sanitiser can cut down the risk of transmission, particularly if bathroom facilities must be shared.

Go-to websites and phone numbers

Dr Karen Price advises writing down essential website and phone numbers before any member of the family gets sick. Include the number of your GP and the social media page of your local pharmacy.

Ambulance 000

Covid-19 hotline.......[phone]

Health Direct ....... www.healthdirect.gov.au

OTHER ITEMS

Pulse oximeters have been used in hospitals for years and are increasingly being bought for domestic use.

Throat relief

Besides lozenges, think about foods that may soothe a sore throat. Some opt for frozen berries. Icy poles also have their role to play.

Testing kits

Rapid Antigen Testing kits continue to be in short, sporadic supply. Many chemists advise of the stock they do get on their social media pages, so follow the accounts of nearby pharmacies.

Diary

Dr Karen Price said a diary could be useful, particularly if you have other health conditions. Use it to record your developing symptoms and temperature.

Pulse oximeter

These devices are available at pharmacies and many online retailers such as Kogan or Harvey Norman

Sources: RACGP / www.healthdirect.gov.au