Tips for Treating Coronavirus Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms may show up 2-14 days after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They may start and stay mild, although some individuals develop more serious symptoms. These issues may be different with newer COVID-19 variants.

A 2023 Multicenter Study report stated that symptoms might linger for up to 12 months or longer. Many symptoms could also emerge or reemerge in the year following COVID-19 infection.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 infection include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Since these symptoms could result from other illnesses, a COVID test is the most reliable method for determining the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The CDC urges starting treatments for COVID-19 symptoms within 5-7 days of onset. People with an increased risk of severe sickness can take medicines that lower the risk of hospitalization and death. Those who are advanced in age, not current with vaccinations, or living with certain medical conditions have a greater chance of getting critically ill.

Stay hydrated

Like many infectious respiratory diseases, COVID-19 may cause dehydration. This can hamper the body's ability to fight infection and heighten the severity of illness. While fighting COVID-19, some people may not feel thirsty, but adequate hydration is key to renewed health.

Experts suggest drinking 10-12 eight-ounce glasses of water or other fluid every day. Try to sip 2-4 ounces every 15 minutes. In cases of stomach upset, sip salt-containing fluids such as broth or sports beverages.

However, too much fluid intake may cause hyponatremia, an excessively low concentration of sodium in the blood.

Hydrating the nose, larynx, and trachea with a nasal-saline solution may help decrease the risk of respiratory diseases from COVID-19, according to a 2022 Nature study .

However, too much water intake may cause hyponatremia, an excessively low concentration of sodium in the blood.

Rest and relaxation

Getting enough sleep and rest can help support the immune defense, increase energy, and improve cognitive function and mood. On the other hand, a 2022 Current Psychiatry Reports study found that sleep disturbances and deprivation may suppress immune function.

Allowing the body to get plenty of rest can help restore energy to recover from COVID-19. Maintain an ideal sleep environment by setting a comfortable room temperature and eliminating as much noise and light as possible. Sleep hygiene practices and cognitive behavioral therapy may benefit those with sleep disorders.

Symptom relief

COVID-19 often brings fever, aches, and pain throughout the body. Over-the-counter or prescription pain and fever reducers can help you feel better and rest. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help reduce fever and minimize pain. Fever reducers are not necessary unless the body temperature surpasses 104 degrees F.

Dry or phlegm-filled coughs and stuffed or runny noses can add to the misery of many COVID-19 sufferers. Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines may help relieve cough and congestion. Expectorants help thin mucus and make coughs more productive. Decongestants slow mucus production.

Breathing exercises and techniques can help strengthen the lungs and clear them of mucus. A 2022 clinical trial published in Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine indicated that this home-based therapy may help improve respiratory muscle function.

Individuals can lie down or sit up to do a deep breathing exercise. Take a slow, deep breath through the nose, then exhale slowly through the lips. Repeat three to five times throughout the day.

Low-humidity environments dry out the body's airways, making it harder to breathe and fight infections like COVID-19. Humidifiers and vaporizers add moisture to the air in an indoor area. Humidifiers project a cool mist, and vaporizers emit hot steam.

The moisture in humidifiers and vaporizers makes it easy for mold and bacteria to take hold, so the devices need to be kept clean. Using distilled water can help reduce mineral deposits and scaling in the machine. Dry the humidifier out between uses.

Nutritional intake can be a powerful mechanism for treating COVID-19. Dietary patterns are a major factor influencing the immune response. Consuming a balanced diet rich in key micronutrients supports immune function and can help reduce the severity and length of symptoms.

Experts recommend reducing sugars and trans fats and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables instead. These foods contain vitamins, fiber, minerals, probiotics, and other phytochemicals that fight inflammation and viruses. Protein-rich foods provide important cellular building blocks and can also help facilitate a speedier recovery.

There is no one magic food that supplies every nutrient. Incorporate foods like these to help boost nutritional intake:

• Citrus fruits
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Beans, lentils
• Fatty fish such as salmon, trout
• Nuts such as almonds, sunflower seeds

Fighting COVID-19 may diminish the appetite, but it's still important to eat nutritious foods. Small, frequent meals can provide comfort and ease a sore throat, cough, or dry mouth. Chicken soup has a long-standing reputation for treating upper respiratory tract infections.

Long COVID is an issue of growing concern since the pandemic's early days. Keeping track of symptoms can help you and your healthcare provider determine if your symptoms point to this sickness.

Maintain a record of any severe symptoms such as fever, cough severity, fatigue, or muscle pain. Bear in mind that some symptoms could be related to another illness. Take note of any new symptoms that arise.

Signs of worsening symptoms may include:

• Exacerbating breathing problems or breathlessness
• New confusion
• Constant chest pressure or pain
• Blue or gray skin, lips, or nail beds

Hypoxia, which is low blood oxygen, can happen in some COVID-19 cases. A health care provider might recommend the use of a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels. This device may be helpful for people who have COVID-19 in addition to chronic lung disease.

Pulse Oximeters

Generally, finger pulse oximeters have proven accurate. Readings should be taken on a warm finger, while sitting upright. An oxygen saturation level of 95 percent is normal for most people. A level of 92 percent or lower might indicate hypoxia.

Research in the British Medical Journal found that most smartphone oximeters are unreliable or not designed for medical use.

Thermometers

A normal body temperature is around 98.6°F, and a fever produces a temperature reading above 100.4°F. It may be helpful for your medical records to check your temperature regularly, whether well or sick.

Fever may be one of the first COVID-19 symptoms to present, or it may flare up later. It may be constant or rise and fall over a few days or weeks. If you have been exposed to the virus, experts recommend checking your temperature once or twice daily. Checking for fever may help you detect COVID-19 early enough to start treatment and prevent spreading the virus.

Different types of thermometers are available and easy for home use on others:

• Digital thermometer – considered the quickest and most accurate, can be used orally, under the armpit, or rectally
• Temporal artery thermometer – also called forehead thermometers, placed on the temporal artery of the forehead
• Tympanic thermometer – assesses temperature inside the ear.
• Experts do not recommend using mercury glass, plastic strips, pacifiers, or smartphone app thermometers due to inaccuracies. Further, mercury glass thermometers carry the risk of breaking and releasing poisonous mercury.

Proper hygiene is a key to minimizing risk from viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Consistently practicing cleanliness during a COVID-19 outbreak can help protect others from getting sick as well.

Simple ways to practice good hygiene include:

• Cover sneezes and coughs to limit the spread of germs.
• Wash hands with soap often to remove pathogens from your hands.
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to kill germs.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces often with disinfectant cleaners.

Staying away from others while dealing with COVID-19 symptoms lowers the risk of spreading the illness. Remain at home if possible and keep distance from others living in the same residence. The [https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html] CDC

advises wearing a mask if you are near others. Feeling physically ill often puts a strain on mental health. In turn, stress and anxiety may worsen COVID-19 symptoms or lead to other health problems. Nourishing the mind can help you cope with sickness and maintain a sense of well-being through and beyond your downtime. Consider ways to reduce stress: Staying connected with others can alleviate the loneliness of isolation. Texting, emailing, social media, and phone calls make it easy to do so remotely. While most COVID-19 cases are mild to moderate, it can cause symptoms that require urgent care. If these changes develop, call a medical provider, 911, or a local emergency facility. Let them know that you are calling for someone who has COVID-19. We can all take steps to curb the spread and effects of COVID-19. Help reduce its reach by: Although vaccines don't always prevent infection, they can help reduce the severity of it. Masks are designed to filter out germs breathed in or out. Social distancing helps reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of the virus. A 2022 found that herbal supplements may alleviate COVID-19 symptoms with few side effects. Ashwagandha, tulsi, garlic, cinnamon, and licorice are examples of a host of natural ingredients reputed for treating the illness. Many herbal teas and natural supplements contain powerful phytochemicals that combat viruses and boost immunity. Ginger or peppermint tea may help ease nasal congestion and other respiratory issues. Lemon tea carries vitamin C and may help relieve chest congestion. Follow package instructions or consult a healthcare provider for safe consumption levels. A warm bath or shower may help reduce COVID-19 symptoms such as congestion or sore throat. Before trying this remedy, be well hydrated, and avoid running a high fever. Nature has provided a bounty of potential remedies for COVID-19 symptoms. Plant-based preparations, dietary supplements, and non-medicine therapies have been long regarded for healing properties. Home remedies may not prevent infection, but they can help support immune function and ease symptoms. A 2024 study found that some teas can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. In the trial discussed, black tea, green tea, eucalyptus mint, mint medley, and raspberry zinger inactivated the virus by at least 96 percent within 10 seconds in the mouth. Dietary supplements are not allowed to be marketed as prevention, treatment, or cure for any disease. However, plant-based products typically contain components reputed for boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and other healing qualities. Consult a healthcare provider to avoid contraindications with medicines or other health conditions. Coughing is a common persisting symptom with and after COVID-19 infection. A 2023 study in reported that "augmented cough reflex sensitivity" may cause inflammation and other changes in the vagal sensory nerves. These nerves play a major part in regulating cough. A cough lasting longer than three weeks post-COVID-19 diagnosis should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Try hacking that persistent cough at home with non-prescription options such as: A 2023 study suggests that magnesium deficiency may be associated with anosmia, the loss of smell, and ageusia, the loss of taste. The symptoms often go away with time, from weeks to months post-infection. Olfactory training, which involves the use of pungent essential oils, has been shown to be potentially beneficial. The Biology study also states that magnesium and zinc may reduce the intensity of some adverse effects of anti-COVID-19 medicines. Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can lead to serious illness or death in anyone, even those without other risk factors. The CDC says that most patients with mild COVID-19 can be treated at home or in an ambulatory care setting. Individuals with moderate or severe COVID-19 symptoms should obtain in-person evaluation and monitoring to help avoid the need for hospitalization. Outpatient management may include telehealth visits and using patient self-assessment tools. Home visits from a medical provider may be available as well. The need and frequency for follow-up medical visits will depend on the risk for severe illness and symptom severity. The person with COVID-19 or their caregiver should record and report progressively worsening symptoms as well. They should also watch for new symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or confusion. Knowledge and positive action can help dispel fears and anxiety concerning COVID-19. Mounting research points to a myriad of ways to treat this disease at home, with or without drugs or medical devices. Proper rest, nutrition, hydration, and a relaxed mind can help ease symptoms and speed up recovery. Vaccinations and good hygiene may help reduce the risk of serious illness for others around you. Self-care or compassionate care for a person with COVID-19 is not an option. Ask for help while recovering, if needed. Give your body as much time as possible to heal. Stay on the lookout for signs of progressive symptoms. Seek medical attention for any concerns.