At the start of the pandemic, Coronavirus sounded like a disease in a faraway land. However, on the 27th of February 2020 when the Government of Nigeria announced the first infection, it started to hit home more. As the numbers continued to rise, we have had to adjust our lives and boost our immunity as we battle the pandemic.
It is commonplace to know someone who is currently infected with the virus or was previously positive for the virus if you have not already contracted it. The question many need answers, too, is how to handle the eventuality of a loved one getting infected with COVID-19. How do you make them comfortable?
Knowing that a loved one has an infectious disease can be a hard pill to swallow. It might seem confusing to give care to a person while being unable to be physically close to them, but it is possible. If someone close to you has got COVID-19, it is important to support and care for them while protecting yourself from being infected as well.
There are ways to be there for your loved ones, ease their burden, and keep yourself safe while they deal with this challenge.
Here are some things you can do to help a loved one that is infected;
Help them self-isolate
You can help prepare the area where they will be isolating themselves, clean it and put in their favourite things and basic necessities. This will help them be comfortable and stay entertained while they are isolating.
Get them vitamins and immune boosters:
Your loved one’s best chance against COVID-19 is a strong immune system. You can help by getting them vitamins, especially vitamin C that will build up and strengthen their immune system and increase their chances of recovery from the infection.
Talk to them
Isolation, because of a COVID infection can make one lonely. Having someone to talk to can help lift your loved one’s spirits. Since you cannot be with them in person, place a call across to keep them company.
Buy groceries and supplies
Getting an infected person supplies and groceries would ease their worries about running low on food and other essentials. Since they are not allowed to go out and probably have not had the time to stock up, buying them groceries is the perfect way to show support.
Share fun activities with them
The internet makes it possible to do fun things with your loved ones without being physically close to each other. You can play online games, share interesting posts with them on social media and even watch movies with them on movie platforms. You can also read their favourite books with them and have discussions after.
Read up on their illness
Knowing everything you can about their illness is essential, especially if you and the infected person are in the same house. This will help you know how best to protect yourself from infection and if need be, advise your infected loved ones on how to take care of themselves. This can include the kind of food to eat to build their immune system, exercise and isolation measures.
Protect yourself
If you and the infected person live in the same house, be sure to observe the following precautions:
- Do not share personal items like clothes, cups, spoons and even electronics
- Limit personal contact as much as possible
- Clean and disinfect surfaces in the house like switches, tabletops, kitchen counters, doorknobs and any other object that you both may come in contact with.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently
- Always wear a mask if you have to enter the room of the infected person
If you notice that you are sick or have started to feel any symptoms of the virus, call your health provider for advice.
Having coronavirus and being in isolation can stir up negative feelings in anyone. Therefore, it is essential to make your loved ones aware that they are not alone and that you are there for them. Just being a listening ear can go a long way in easing their worries and negative emotions. While providing care and support, it is also imperative to avoid getting infected.
If you have questions about caring for a loved one with COVID-19 loved one, or need more advice, speak to a doctor on Doctall.