So, you have COVID-19, now what?

BY JANIECE CAMPBELL

Entering the spring season while the novel coronavirus is simultaneously sinking its teeth into the world is a little frightening to imagine. As the temperature constantly changes, you may feel quite anxious after a few sneezes and a scratchy throat. Is it allergies, a cold, the flu or COVID-19?

The bad news is that you may feel under the weather. The good news is that we here at Toronto Caribbean Newspaper have provided a practical guide for those who have the virus or those who want some tips to help prevent it.

First, it’s important to know what the virus feels like. Symptoms may vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Shortness of breath
4. Sore throat
5. Sneezing

After recognizing any symptoms, your next steps are even more crucial. Unfortunately, there is currently no specific medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19, but there are many precautions that can be taken to manage the existing symptoms.

• Self-isolation: If you aren’t feeling well, the last thing you should be doing is exposing yourself and putting others at risk. Separating yourself and limiting contact with others lowers the chance of spreading the illness.
• Rest, rest and more rest! You should not be leaving your house at all. Even if you think you’re feeling better, you may still be infectious for up to 14 days. Proper rest can boost your immune system greatly, so don’t feel bad about getting too much sleep. Continue to lay your head down, and catch up on all that much needed R&R.
• Wear protective equipment: We understand that it isn’t practical to lay in bed all day, and trips to the bathroom or kitchen are warranted. This is a necessary precaution, especially if you live amongst others. In order to avoid contaminating others and shared household items, be sure to put on a mask and a pair of gloves.
• Sanitize: It’s a given that the easiest virus prevention measure is regular hand cleansing. But what’s the use of having clean hands if everything else is dirty? Personal care items such as clothes, bedding, towels, and toothbrushes should be washed frequently. Common high-touch surfaces such as counters, phones, doorknobs and toilets should be disinfected just as often.

It’s essential to maintain a good diet and healthy lifestyle to prevent and fight off illness. Many foods are packed with powerful immune-boosting vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to stay strong. Some of these foods include:

• Citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruits)
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Turmeric
• Green tea

No battle can be fought unprepared. Sometimes we forget the importance of having certain personal care items and medications on hand in urgent cases like this. If you’re planning on a store run, ensure that you have these essential pharmacy items in stock before grabbing those toilet paper rolls:

• Paracetamol. A tablet similar to Tylenol, it acts as both a pain reliever and a fever reducer.
• Cough medicine. Any over-the-counter mucus thinning suppressant should do the job. Read the label to ensure that you aren’t doubling up on Paracetamol.
• Vapor Rub. A tub of this nearby the bed table is helpful when dealing with chest congestion.
• A humidifier. Not as vital as the other items, but nonetheless a great product to invest in. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, preventing dryness that could lead to irritation in the body.

While we’re unsure of the toll that this pandemic will take, we can take measures into our own hands to preserve the safety of ourselves and others. In order to flatten the curve, the best methods to avoid contracting the virus are to ultimately:

• Cleanse hands frequently. Our hands are major germ carriers. According to the CDC, handwashing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infections. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water and avoid touching your face.
• Practice physical distancing. Avoid close contact (at least 3 feet) with people and crowded areas.
• Stay home. For the past few weeks, this has been possibly the hardest thing to adhere to but staying home doesn’t necessarily mean to stay inside. For those yearning the outdoors as the temperature gets warmer, try gardening or reading a book in the backyard.