To Covid Patients: Remain Strong During Quarantine

Government agencies and people have to combat the Novel Coronavirus pandemic together, writes Dr. ARUN MITRA. Vaccines are now available for the COVID-19 disease. Besides, the tough 17-day isolation will pass in no time if one reads, exercises, watches TV, talks to friends and family, and above all, stays strong. 

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WITH a linear fall of Corona infection cases earlier, not only in our country but around the world, complacency had developed about preventive measures. Life obviously cannot come to a standstill. However, when the situation is not conducive, there must be some lifestyle changes. 

Now cases of COVID-19 are surging again. The discussion about how to prevent infections has also started again. There are also new strains of the Novel Coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, going around. Some people are getting infected for the second time.

However, there now are vaccines for Covid-19 too, which renews hope. There are questions about the vaccines, such as how long the immunity they provide will last. Still, experts hope that even if they do not give complete protection, those immunised will face less severe symptoms if they catch the infection. Thus, the vaccines will save lives. This has given people some confidence after their initial hesitancy in getting vaccinated. 

Much has been said about the preventive measures like keeping physical distance, washing and sanitising hands, using masks and staying away from crowded places, etc. However, not much attention has been paid to the stress that the patient and the family pass through. 

Even though the death rate is less than 2 percent, the tensions and stresses in the family of an infected individual suddenly escalate. Since even the doctors cannot predict the course of the disease, uncertainty adds to the problem. 

We, however, know that the elderly and those with co-morbid conditions are more vulnerable to get serious symptoms of the disease. Therefore it is important that this issue is discussed more and the fears are allayed. 

Therefore, families of patients have to be told that the number of people who get a serious case of COVID-19 is very small. Therefore, if a person does not have any co-morbidities, and is not in a vulnerable age group, the chances of his or her getting well again are very bright.

Even though the death rate is less than 2 percent, the tensions and stresses in the family of an infected individual suddenly escalate if a member tests Covid positive. Since even the doctors cannot predict the course of the disease, uncertainty adds to the problem. 

This explanation gives a lot of confidence to families and patients. Even those in the vulnerable age group and with co-morbid conditions are to be given confidence and hope that proper care would keep them alright. 

What adds to the stress of a family or patient is that when a positive test arrives, the patient is advised to go into quarantine for 17 days. Other than the illness, the person gets worried about the long duration that they have to spend alone. 

This isolation is a crucial period but meticulous scientific planning soon reduces the stress and one learns to manage these 17 days. For example, one should not count 17 days, but one day at a time. After the report comes there is some time during which one should collect the essential items such as mobile phone, laptop, pen, notebook, and books of interest, etc. These will help in planning the period and keep the patient connected with others. 

What adds to the stress of a family or patient is that when a positive test arrives, the patient is advised to go into quarantine for 17 days. Other than the illness, the person gets worried about the long duration that they have to spend alone. 

During the quarantine, it is important to regularly check blood oxygen before and after a six-minute walk at least four times a day. This gives us a clue of the lung function at that particular moment. 

It is advisable to sleep on one’s belly, the back facing up. This helps clear the lungs. Sleeping on one side also helps. The patient should do breathing exercises in the morning hours. This helps build lung strength. 

During the daytime, one should spend sufficient time reading newspapers, books of interest and also checking emails, and chatting with friends. Video-conferencing helps connect with others and is better at reducing loneliness. 

One should try to stay in a room with a balcony and spend some time watching people moving around. If there is an attached kitchen, one should try to cook if health permits. This helps fulfill taste as well as nourishment needs. Light exercise is important to keep the joints free and mobile. It helps to watch entertainment programs on the television. As the condition improves and the fever goes down, one can do some exercise.

Other people need to stay away from the patient’s room. The patient should be given food while remaining outside the room they are in. The patient should also maintain good hydration by taking a sufficient amount of liquids and a healthy diet as advised by the doctor. 

During the daytime, one should spend sufficient time reading newspapers, books of interest and also checking emails, and chatting with friends. Video-conferencing helps connect and is better at reducing loneliness. 

It is best if the patient designs their days in isolation. They are the ones who know their interests and daily requirements best. By keeping busy, soon, they will find their hidden skills emerge, which will give pleasure because they were unable to do these things earlier. It is always good if they share their daily experiences with someone they trust.

Remember, patients, you are not in jail but in quarantine, and in your own home. Read about those who have lived in isolation in solitary cells in jails, often for several years, but never lost hope. A large number of freedom fighters in the cellular jail on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands spent the prime of their youth in tough times. Yet they stayed strong. Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in loneliness in one cell but he never felt alone. Instead, he continued to fight for victory.

(IPA Service)