COVID-19 Precaution And Care: As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take lives, it is important to listen to doctors about COVID-19 precaution and care.
Frontline workers like healthcare workers have been putting their lives on the line every day. In order to survive the second wave of the pandemic, it's imperative that people listen to medical experts and healthcare professionals in order to make informed decisions.
As the number of daily cases continues to rise and the situation seems dire, doctors have some valuable advice regarding COVID-19 precaution and care.
10 Things Doctors Want You To Know About COVID-19 Precaution And Care
1. Wear A Mask
As Dr Naresh Trehan of Medanta said, “Wearing a mask is a person’s first duty, the first line of defence against COVID-19, and the most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus.” The simple act of wearing a mask protects not only the wearer, but also the people around them.
Dr Randeep Guleria of AIIMS added that even people who have received the vaccine should mask up, as they still might be infectious.
2. Do Not Panic
Panicking and rushing to the hospital won’t help anyone and will also take away a hospital bed from someone who truly requires it. In a viral video, Mumbai doctor Trupti Giladi spoke about how hospitals are overrun and there is a shortage of beds. Giladi said that the few beds that remain are for critically ill patients.
3. Don’t Leave The House Unless It’s Essential
Giladi said that unless it’s necessary, then people should avoid leaving the house. If a person has to leave their home, then they should stay safe by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing.
4. Maintain Social Distancing
Dr Randeep Guleria spoke about how if people wear masks and maintained social distancing, then the number of COVID-19 cases will come down. Maintaining physical distance even while wearing a mask reduces the chances of contracting the virus.
5. Isolate Yourself
If a person thinks they may have COVID-19, the first thing they need to do is isolate themselves. Isolating themselves is a safety precaution that helps ensure that the people around them don’t risk coming in contact with the virus.
Dr Devi Shetty of Narayan Health said that a person should isolate themselves before they get the COVID-19 test results as a precaution. He also added that if the person tests positive for COVID-19, they should contact a doctor.
6. Listen To Your Doctor’s Medical Opinion
Shetty said that the first step after testing positive is informing your doctor. If the doctor advises a person to stay at home and monitor their health, then that is the correct step to take. If a person’s health starts to deteriorate or their oxygen saturation level is lower than it should be, then the doctor should be informed.
Shetty added that “appropriate treatment at the right time can save your life”.
7. Understand There Is A Shortage Of Hospital Beds
While a person’s first instinct may be to rush to a hospital, it’s important to remember that there is a shortage of hospitals and that hospitalisation may not even be required. Dr Giladi said that a person should immediately isolate themselves and contact their doctor.
Dr Trehan said that few people require hospitalisation and there is a shortage of beds. Due to this, hospital beds need to be utilised “judiciously and with responsibility”.
8. Get The Vaccine
Dr Giladi’s last appeal in her viral video was that everyone should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. She said that if a person gets both doses of the vaccine, then the infection is less severe.
9. Don’t Act As If The Pandemic Has Ended After Getting The Vaccine
While getting the vaccine is imperative, it does not mean a person can walk around without social distancing or wearing a mask. Dr Guleria said that the vaccine does not prevent infections instead, the anti-bodies provided by the vaccine prevent further replication of the virus. This stops the disease from becoming more severe and prevents hospitalisation or death.
10. Check Oxygen Saturation
Dr Shetty said that if a person tests positive for COVID-19, then should isolate themselves, wear a mask, and check their oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation can be checked by a pulse oximeter and he added that everyone should have one at home. Using the pulse oximeter, oxygen saturation should be checked every six hours.
After the oxygen level is checked, the person should walk for six minutes and check the level again. If oxygen saturation stays above 94 per cent, then there is no need to worry. If it is falling after the walk, then a person needs to call their doctor.
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