Hello, I am so very sorry you are not feeling well. It is a tough time to be sick and the news out there can be very scary. I have some good news that is hard to remember: even if you have tested positive for COVID-19 your chances of recovering without complications are good, but by being calm, aware, and reaching out for help, you can increase your chances of recovery.
If you are home alone or with a young child call a friend or family member now and ask them to call and check on you frequently. One thing we have learned about COVID-19 is how important it is to seek medical care earlier instead of later. Here is a free online tool that you can use to check your own symptoms https://c19check.com/start but please remember we are learning new things about COVID-19 daily and no computer program can replace a human being. If you are worried about a symptom that is not on the list call a medical provider now who can help you determine the best course of action.
If you have checked your symptoms or spoken with a medical provider and feel you do not need immediate help please take a moment to turn on some music, a movie, or something else distracting if you have the ability to do so. This business of being ill is not easy in a time like this so give yourself some credit for getting through it.
Next, fix yourself something warm to drink, some people are currently facing shortages but even a single vegetable boiled in some water with a dash of salt will provide you with liquid, electrolytes and trace nutrients . Take tiny sips if your throat hurts and remind yourself that each sip is healing to your body. If you have tea bags you can make a large pot you can reheat. If you are craving something like gatorade and do not have it you can either add a dash of salt and about a tablespoon of sugar to your tea, or see below for the rehydration drink recipe.
Hopefully you are feeling a little better now. Please know that at least one person (Nurse Poppy) is thinking of you and sending an air hug your way. Please seek medical care if your symptoms worsen, you deserve to treat yourself with cautious care.
A note about using Tylenol before Advil for fever. In nursing school we were taught that Tylenol (and any product labeled acetaminophen) is always more gentle to the body than NSAIDS (products like Advil, Motrin etc ). There has been some discussion about the fact that Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be safer to treat fevers from COVID for multiple reasons, however, in the U.S. there have been no specific guidelines (as of May 15, 2020) regarding this topic and both medicines are fever reducing products. Never take more than the recommended dosage of any drug.
Easy Rehydration Drink: To 1 quart water add
3/4 teaspoons salt (taste drink before adding sugar and make sure it is “less salty than tears” 2 tablespoons sugar
Add a mashed banana if you have it or a bit of fruit juice etc.. ). There has been some discussion about the fact that Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be safer to treat fevers from COVID for multiple reasons, however, in the U.S. there has been no specific guidelines (as of March 30, 2020) regarding this topic and both medicines are fever reducing products. Never take more than the recommended dosage of any drug.
Easy Rehydration Drink:
To 1 quart water add: 1/2 teaspoons salt, 2 table spoons sugar, 1 mashed banana or a bit of fruit juice (if available)
Rehydration Project June 8, 2015