COVID-19 DIARY
AND HOME CARE GUIDE
Toolkit
This is meant as a guide only as to how I managed the illness at home. I am not a doctor. Please seek advice from your medical professional.
I kept a record of all the medication I was taking and when I took it. It's easy to lose track. I also kept a patient log (symptoms diary). When I felt really unwell, I checked my temperature, blood pressure, and pulse (and oxygen levels when I received a oximeter at day 10) every couple of hours. I wrote it all down to relay back to my doctors whenever I spoke with them.
CALLING FOR HELP:
Information sent to me from the COVID clinic: if you are having breathing difficulties at rest, have blue lips or worsening chest pains, you cough up blood or are drowsy, seek medical help immediately. Oxygen sats should be 94 or above. Pulse should be no more than 110 at rest. Breathing rate (breaths per minute) should be less than 25.
In UK, call NHS 111 or in an emergency 999. Your doctor will be contactable during surgery hours. Mine have been essential in guiding me through this.
EQUIPMENT:
Thermometer - preferably an in-ear variety.
Blood pressure monitor - not essential but useful.
Pulse oximeter - to check oxygen sats and pulse.
Humidifier - for the night. Adds moisture to the air and alleviates cough.
Nebuliser with saline solutions - under doctors supervision. This helped to clear my chest. Sitting in a bathroom with steamy shower running helps too.
Handheld, battery-operated fan for fever and to help you catch your breath.
Please follow this link to see how to use it effectively. It really helped when I felt very breathless.
ESSENTIAL SUSTENANCE:
Lots of fluids: water - sip frequently to prevent dehydration. These teas are all very good for sore throats, coughs, digestion, and inflammation: honey/lemon & fresh ginger plus maybe fresh turmeric too, liquorice, dandelion, green and other herbal drinks you like.
Nutritious soup – small and frequent meals are best.
Lots of fruit and vegetables.
MEDICATION, REMEDIES AND SUPPLEMENTS:
Paracetamol to help with fever and pain/aches. Keep on top of this and be careful not to overdose. Check other medications you are taking as they may contain Paracetamol.
Warm, salt water gargle for sore throat. Mix a level teaspoon of salt into a cup of boiled water. Leave to cool slightly. Hold the salt water in the mouth for one minute and gently swish the solution around and then spit out. Repeat mouthwashes 3-4 times a day. I also used a propolis oral spray I already had at home.
Olbas Oil on a tissue held near nose to help with breathing.
Vicks Vapour Rub on chest to help breathing, and/or on feet to help with coughing.
Steam to open up the airways. Bowl of boiling water, head under towel and over the bowl. Breathe deeply for three breaths and then normally to avoid hyperventilating. Avoid putting menthol in the water as it dries the throat.
Boiled sweets help to reduce coughing. Lozenges containing glycerine are great. Again, avoid menthol or anything with mint.
Vitamin C – pills or drink, plus food containing high levels.
Good quality multivitamin.
Vitamin D, due to lack of sunlight when in bed.
Immune system support - pills or elixirs. Ones containing honey or propolis are soothing too.
I also took marshmallow root - good for lungs and digestive system apparently - and elderberry pills for respiratory infection.
Lavender drops on a tissue for stress and anxiety.
Dark chocolate - 70 - 85% cocoa. This is supposed to help suppress coughing, but I already eat this everyday anyway because I love it.
Under my doctor's guidance:
I used a brown inhaler (2 puffs twice a day) and blue inhaler (2 puffs 4 times a day and then 8 times a day as my condition worsened), and a nebuliser with saline solution 3 times a day. Also, allergy pills containing Cetirizine Hydrochloride for hay fever. I was prescribed a weeks worth of antibiotics (Doxycycline - I'm allergic to Penicillin) at day 14, when I developed a chest infection. (Edit: I was given a second round of antibiotics at day 27 and another round, this time Clarithromycin, at Day 51 and again at 6 months, antihistamines at month 7 and steroids shortly afterwards.)
I was told to avoid alcohol. Please speak to your doctor to see if you require additional medication at any stage of the illness.
ENTERTAINMENT WHILST YOU REST:
TV shows/films/boxsets.
Music.
Radio - especially at night, as it's great company.
Books and magazines.
Message friends and family for support.
Avoid the news & limit social media.
COMFORT AND WELLBEING:
My doctors and paramedics advised me to sit up or recline slightly with lots of pillows, rather than lay flat, and that helped me to manage my breathing better. When the breathlessness worsened, lying on my front helped for a while. Leaning forward, either on a pile of pillows or sitting on a chair backwards and leaning on the back, also helped with breathlessness.
Deep abdominal breaths
See exercises on 'Breathing' page, but check with your doctor first as some pre-existing illnesses may be aggravated. Use an app if need be - 'Breathwrk' is excellent. Just concentrating on your breath can help relax the body and mind. Please note: if you develop an infection, lying flat on your back for long periods may not good for your lungs. As previously stated, sitting up as much as possible, or reclining with several pillows behind you may help. I do deep breathing exercises several times a day, but only 3 or 4 breaths and then take a rest. You don't want to hyperventilate or become too dizzy. Breathing deep into the abdominal area and back can help air get to the bottom of your lungs. I found laying on my front for a while helped expand the back of my lungs. I put one pillow horizontally under my chest and one under my hips. Child's pose (yoga posture) also helped. If possible, have someone tap your lower back for a couple of minutes a few times a day, to help get the fluid up.
Relaxation.
The 'Calm' app may be useful. Or you could practice meditation in your own way. Concentrating on your breathing and using the 'body scan' method can help reduce tension.
Doing neck and shoulder stretches daily prevented me from stiffening up too much. I held each position for 10 seconds before moving on.
REST. REST. REST.
This is vital. When I felt very unwell, I stayed in bed as much as possible. Your body is working hard and you need to conserve your strength. I found stretching and slowly walking around the room regularly throughout the day stopped me getting sore in bed. Lightweight and loose clothing is good for keeping cool and not feeling restricted.
I was advised to open my bedroom window in hot weather, but keep warm at night time.
Neighbours, friends, family, and community support groups are crucial. Look out for each other. If someone you know lives alone and they are going through this and you are able to help, please ask if they need soup or any other nutritious easy-to-eat meal, and maybe a flask of honey and lemon tea. Deliver it to their house daily. Pick up medication for them. Supply them with whatever they need to see them through. Reassure and check up on them regularly. Even with my family in the same house, bringing me food, drinks and medication, I felt alone with this sometimes, especially during the night. I can imagine how distressing this could be to someone living on their own.
Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor, NHS 111 or dial 999.