Self Care Tips To Help You When You Have Tested COVID-19 Positive

Getting a positive COVID-19 result can not only be stressful and anxiety-inducing, it can also make you wonder, “What do I do now?”

First things first: Talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you understand what your test results can mean to you by considering your medical history, symptoms, and other factors. We’ve also put together the following resource covering self-care tips, seeking emergency medical care, CDC’s guide to ending isolation, retesting, and more, so read on for this key information.

Here are some self-care tips that can help during this stressful time:

* Drink much liquid

Staying hydrated while feeling sick helps fight infection. In general, it is a good rule of thumb to drink 6-8 glasses of water / day, 8 oz per glass. Foods like soups, fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as melon and cucumber, also count as fluid sources. Not sure if you are getting enough fluids? If you are well hydrated, your urine should be a light color.

* Get enough rest

Rest as long as you need. This can mean sleeping 8-10 hours a day, and that’s fine – your body needs it.

* Eat a balanced diet, as much as possible

In general, a balanced diet is ideal, but at the height of feeling bad and feverish, our appetites are often suppressed. However, try to choose lean protein sources, fruits and vegetables that are rich sources of vitamins A, C and E, as well as zinc. All of these play an important role in supporting immune function.

* Consider smaller, more frequent meals

Smaller meals are an excellent solution for early satiety (or feeling full quickly). Aiming for around 4-6 small meals per day can help maximize calorie intake once someone has passed the acute phase (first 24-48 hours) of illness.

* A humidifier can help you breathe easier

Symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, dry cough and sore throat often make breathing difficult. But a humidifier can help relieve congestion and a cough. It is important to regularly clean the water and filter of your humidifier to prevent mold buildup, and if you have a respiratory condition diagnosed as asthma, it may be a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before using a humidifier.

* Talk to your healthcare provider about which over-the-counter pain reliever would be best for fighting body aches.

Stay in close contact with your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen, and be sure to ask your healthcare provider about your risk factors for developing serious complications from COVID-19.

While information on COVID-19 is continually evolving, current evidence suggests that older people and people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are among those who are at increased risk for complications.