Are you caring for a Covid patient at home? The Ministry of Health lists the points to remember

As the numbers for COVID-19 began to skyrocket, the Union Health Ministry released revised guidelines for caregivers. Here are some things to keep in mind and protect yourself if you are caring for a COVID patient at home. Looked.

* Note: Seniors and people of any age with serious underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of developing more serious illness from COVID-19. People at higher risk of serious illness should call their doctor as soon as symptoms appear. The following guidelines are in accordance with ICMR and WHO.

Caregiver instructions

1) Mask

  • The caregiver should wear a triple-layer medical mask. The N95 mask can be considered when you are in the same room as the sick person.
  • The front part of the mask should not be touched or manipulated during use.
  • If the mask is wet or soiled with secretions, it should be changed immediately.

To file

2) Hand hygiene

  • Hand hygiene should be ensured following contact with a sick person or their immediate environment.
  • Use soap and water to wash your hands for at least 40 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if the hands are not visibly soiled.
  • After using soap and water, it is desirable to use disposable paper towels to dry your hands. If they are not available, use dedicated clean cloth towels and replace them when wet.
  • Wash hands before and after removing gloves.

Woman using hand sanitizer.
Shutterstock

3) Exposure to the patient / his environment

  • Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids (respiratory, oral fluids, including saliva) of the patient. Use disposable gloves when handling the patient.
  • Avoid exposure to potentially contaminated objects in the immediate environment (Ex: Utensils, dishes, drinks, towels, bed linen, etc.)
  • Food should be provided to the patient in their room. Utensils and dishes used by the patient should be cleaned with soap / detergent and water while wearing gloves. Utensils should be reused after proper cleaning.
  • Wash hands after removing gloves or handling used items. Use a triple-layered medical mask and disposable gloves when cleaning or handling surfaces, clothing, or linens used by the patient.
  • Wash hands before and after removing gloves.

covid home isolation
Getty

4) Disposal of biomedical waste

  • The efficient and safe disposal of general waste such as disposables, used food, packages, fruit peels, used water bottles, food scraps, disposable plates, etc. must be assured. They should be collected in securely tied bags for delivery to waste collectors.
  • In addition, used masks, gloves and tissues or swabs contaminated with blood / body fluids from patients with Covid, including used syringes, medications, etc., should be treated as biomedical waste and disposed of accordingly. by collecting them in a yellow bag and handed over to the waste collector separately.

Seek immediate medical help

The patient / caregiver monitoring the patient’s health should seek immediate medical attention if serious signs or symptoms develop. These could include:

1) unresolved high fever; > 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 3 days

2) Difficulty breathing

3) Sp02 24 / min

oxygen
iStock (Representative Image)

4) Persistent pain / pressure in the chest

5) Mental confusion or inability to wake up

6) Severe fatigue and myalgia

For more news and updates from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.

Maria J. Book