SHARES
There are a lot of advice on how to avoid the COVID-19 virus – frequent hand washing, do not touch face, social distancing and wearing masks if unwell. Heed these advice closely to do your part to halt the spread of virus and other germs.
For those of us staying at home or working from the office, here are some tips to stay safe and well at home or at the workplace:
We have heard of the early symptoms typical respiratory infections including COVID-19, such as cough, dry itchy throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, aches, headaches and fever. Imagine you actually start to experience flu like symptoms. We can expect many of us will, whether we get the common cold, flu, bronchitis or worse the COVID-19, which might lead to pneumonia. How prepared are you to deal with it?
I am worried about COVID-19. What should I do if flu-like symptoms strike?
Before you get hit by any nasty respiratory bugs, have the foresight to be prepared. So a friendly neighbourhood nurse, a pharmacist and a doctor offer these tips and advice. Get basic items that you will need:
Have ready at home:
- Tissue paper – few boxes
- Paracetamol 500mg – 50 tabs. Avoid ibuprofen
- Cough Mixture Medication
- Dry cough – use antitussive cough syrup such as Durotuss Regular, Actifed, Rhinathiol Promethazine
- Phlegmy cough use expectorants such as Durotuss Expectorant, Robitussin Expectorant / Robitussin PS
- Mucolytic medicine such as Fluimucil ® (acetylcysteine), Vasican® (bromhexine) to ease off phlegm by breaking and liquidifying it
- Anti-histamines such as chlorpheniramine, to ward off congestion in runny nose or productive chesty coughs
- Vicks vaporub to relieve congestion symptoms
- Masks – wear only when you are unwell
- Refill you asthma inhaler if you are asthmatic
- Honey and lemon (plus turmeric juice too!) works too to alleviate throat and cough symptoms
- Vitamin C as intake may slightly reduce duration of illness. Higher supply of Vitamin C enhances several immune system parameters. Take 1 g daily but increase to 2-4g if sick.
- Body Thermometer
- A humidifier is also helpful to keep air moist when you sleep. Likewise, turning on a hot shower and breathing in the steam just as in sauna, will also do the trick
- Prepare and freeze portions of your favourite soup (chicken with mushrooms is good) to use whenever you need it.
- Disinfectants for cleaning your room and home
Should respiratory symptoms hit, you would be better prepared to deal with it by relieving symptoms and better equipped to prevent yourself infecting others.
Further Reads:
First Signs of Flu symptoms, What to do When You are Sick
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The information on this site is not intended to be professional advice and is not intended to replace personal consultation with a qualified physician, dentist, pharmacist, or other health care professional. The reader should not disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of something found on this site.
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by Wong Mei Chan
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