With the country making a new record tally in the increasing number of COVID-19 cases every day, awareness and 100% precaution has become mandatory.

Every second household you’d know is suffering from coronavirus and no matter how much you try, there are chances that you or your family members could also get affected by it.

Here’s what you should do if one of your family members becomes COVID-19 positive!

Practice social distancing at home:

It is recommended to maintain social distancing at home in such cases. The COVID-19 patient is recommended to isolate him/ herself from the rest of the family.

A complete quarantine is advisable for the patient. From a separate room to a separate bathroom, if available, the COVID-19 patient must maintain zero contact with others.

Choose a room to follow quarantine:

The COVID-19 patient cannot just stay in any room. The room should be far from elders and children of the family and it should be well ventilated.

Even in the rest of your home, there should be enough flow of fresh air. The family members should wear a mask every time they are in contact with the patient or sharing a common space with them.

Use technology to communicate:

Try to stay away from the patient as much as possible, communicate via texts, calls or video chats. 

Keep a track of the patient’s help, his/ her heart rate and body temperature. Keep a tap of the ongoing condition — and if it improves or deteriorates.

Use separate products and daily essentials:

Apart from using a separate room and bathroom, it is also recommended to use separate household items and daily essentials like utensils, drinking glasses/ water bottles, cups/ dishes/ bowls, towels, bedcovers, etc.

Any item that cannot be disposed of immediately should be handled and shared with disposable gloves and washed with hot water and medicated soap. If there aren’t any gloves available in the house, wash your hands for 20 seconds every time you touch any item.

While disposing of any trash, use disposable gloves and wash your hands immediately after that.

Even the patient’s clothes should be washed separately in high-temperature water.

Avoid making contacts with pets:

The COVID-19 patient is recommended to make zero contact with any pet in the house. Family members who are coming in contact with the patient are also advised to wash their hands/ use sanitisers before touching their pets.

Monitor their health and symptoms:

You should keep a constant check on the patient’s health and symptoms. Stay in the loop with your concerned doctor and be prepared for any emergency.

While you keep a tap of their health, you must also keep a check on yourself and the rest of the family. 

Have proper food:

The COVID-19 patient should eat less spicy and healthy food. Include a lot of fruits, nuts and super seeds in their diet.

Also, ensure that the person stays hydrated throughout the day.

When to call for medical help?

If you notice any of the following symptoms on the COVID-19 patient, consider calling for immediate help:

1. Bluish face or lips
2. Inability to rouse
3. Constant unavoidable pain in the chest
4. Difficulty in breathing
5. Any other kind of symptoms that you feel could be a warning sign

Some of the symptoms which a COVID-19 patient may or may not show are:

1. Nausea/ vomiting
2. Chills and fatigue
3. Muscle and body pain
4. Sore throat
5. headache
6. Runny nose/ cold
7. Diarrhoea
8. Congestion
9. Other diseases like pneumonia and bronchitis

COVID-19 is real and it is not going to go so soon!

Although there will be a relief after the vaccination drive gets complete — it is still recommended to practice all the norms and safety precautions when any of your family members becomes COVID-19 positive.

1. DO NOT come in direct contact with any of the COVID-19 patients.
2. Always use a hand sanitiser with at least 60% of alcohol.
3. Maintain proper hygiene and social distancing.
4. Always wear a mask.
5. Use disposable gloves.
6. Keep a constant check on your’s and your loved ones’ health.

#StaySafe #StayHome

ALSO READ: Pregnancy In A Pandemic – What Are The Do’s & Don’ts?

Pregnancy is one of the most complicated things in a woman’s life. With COVID-19 at hand, it has become even a bigger challenge. In such a situation, people are looking for answers to their questions. In return, most of them are getting fake news or incomplete information. Pregnancy in a pandemic is something you need to be really cautious about!

So, what are the dos and don’ts for a pregnant woman during COVID-19? Here we are going to answer some major questions regarding pregnancy in a pandemic.

Is the pregnancy in a pandemic any different from the regular pregnancy?

In the beginning, when there wasn’t enough information available regarding COVID-19, it was obvious to believe that the virus comes with an increased risk for pregnant women. As time passed and information came from the official and verified sources, various data suggested pregnant women are definitely at risk from COVID-19. The conditions might become worse if you are experiencing severe illness.

Should visitors be allowed to see the mother during delivery?

Over the past year, we have learnt the different ways we can alleviate the virus from spreading. People were not allowed to meet the mother at different maternal care centres earlier, but now most of them have slacked up some precautions. With mask and basic social distancing norms, maternal care centres are now allowing 2-3 visitors at a time to accompany the women in labour.

How prenatal care in a pandemic is different from the regular one?

Prenatal care in a pandemic is nothing different from the regular one. It is more or less the same. Moreover, you are advised to have virtual visits as much as you can during your labour period. It is highly effective, safe, and reduces the chances for the mother catching the virus. 

Should a newborn be introduced to the members outside the family? If yes, how?

It all depends on the parents how they want to address this situation. They need to understand the risk at hand, and keeping that in mind, they should plan the methods they should go for. 

The best way to introduce the newborn is via video calling. The other method that you can adopt is by practising basic distance while introducing the baby. This, in turn, will weaken the chances of the baby getting affected. 

Why are pregnant women not a part of clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccination programme?

Any government wants to protect their people at any cost. Certain things are still unclear regarding the vaccine and how it affects pregnant women and her kid. To protect you from the same uncertainty, pregnant women have been excluded from the first clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. 

You are advised to follow the basic precautions until then, like using a mask, washing hands, and physical distancing.    

Does that imply that the COVID-19 vaccine is dangerous for pregnant women?

No, not at all. It is just a precaution since we don’t have enough data that can explain to us the effects that a pregnant woman is going to witness. As soon as the clinical trials for pregnant women start, the situation will become clearer to us. In the end, vaccination for pregnant and non-pregnant women isn’t going to be any different. They are both going to get the same benefits. 

How long do we have to wait for the clinical data for pregnant women?

Based on the data we got from the first clinical program, there is definitely some time for that. You don’t actually have to wait for the clinical data; also, people can decide it for themselves once the observational data is released. 

Is there any information for the vaccination of lactating mothers? Can they build up their child’s immunity with breast milk?

There is not enough data that stops lactating women from getting vaccinated. Moreover, the vaccination doesn’t harm milk production in any way. There might be a chance that a mother may contribute to the immunity of her child. This has worked for many and might work the same way for you too. So far, the data doesn’t suggest how the vaccination is going to affect a lactating mother. 

Are vaccinated patients in labour required to wear a mask at all times?

Any maternal care would suggest you keep wearing masks at all times. We have seen different mutations of the COVID-19 virus all over the world, and we don’t know how they are going to affect you yet. In such conditions, a patient in labour should “try” to wear a mask as much as she can. There can be some relaxation since pregnancy can be a challenging task. However, you should understand that basic precautions are necessary.

#StaySafe #StayHome

ALSO READ: What Should I Do If One Of My Family Members Becomes COVID-19 Positive?