It is important for us to recognize the symptoms and treatment of COVID-19. Because the symptoms and treatment of COVID-19 can vary, depending on the severity, whether mild, moderate, severe, or critical.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can generally be felt around 3-5 days to 1 week after a person is infected with the Corona virus or SARS-CoV-2, but it can also range from 1-14 days.
Therefore, to prevent the spread of the Corona virus, people who have been exposed to the virus or have close contact with positive COVID-19 patients are advised to undergo self-isolation for 14 days.
Self-isolation can be done at home if possible. If not, this can be done in a hospital or in facilities provided by the government, such as the athlete's house in Jakarta.
Symptoms and Treatment of COVID-19 Based on Severity
Here are 4 levels of severity of COVID-19 disease based on the symptoms that appear, as well as their treatment:
1. Light
COVID-19 patients are categorized as experiencing mild symptoms if they feel one or more of the following complaints:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Malaise or feeling tired, uncomfortable, and not feeling well
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of the senses of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia)
Meanwhile, if a person does not feel symptoms at all, but the PCR test result is positive, then he is included in the category of asymptomatic COVID-19 patient.
Treatment for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms is generally the same as for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. This means the patient must undergo self-isolation for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms or a positive PCR test result.
Treatment of patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms is generally symptomatic or only to relieve symptoms. For example, patients can take paracematol to relieve fever, or cough medicine to treat coughs. Patients can also take supplements to increase endurance, such as vitamin C and vitamin D.
During self-isolation, patients can use health application services or telemedicine to consult a doctor.
2. Medium
Complaints that can be experienced by COVID-19 patients with moderate symptom categories are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or breath feels uncomfortable
- Lack of appetite
- Tired and limp
Patients generally experience mild COVID-19 symptoms, but have complained of shortness of breath or heavier breaths.
In addition, in moderate-grade COVID-19 patients, there may already be spots or abnormalities on the X-ray examination. However, the oxygen level in the blood or oxygen saturation is still normal, which is above 94%.
COVID-19 patients who are classified as moderate or have certain co-morbidities, such as asthma and diabetes, or are elderly, are recommended to receive treatment and monitoring by a doctor at the hospital.
If they cannot be treated at the hospital, the COVID-19 patient can undergo treatment at home, as long as they have received medicine from a doctor.
To treat moderate symptoms of COVID-19, doctors can give antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir, and the antibiotic azithromycin, to prevent pneumonia due to bacterial infection.
3. Weight
Patients with COVID-19 are categorized as seriously ill, if they have the following symptoms:
- Very shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Nails, lips and skin look bluish and pale
- Need oxygen help
- Decreased consciousness or frequent sleepiness
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Weak
- Difficulty or not being able to eat and drink
Patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms will generally experience a decrease in oxygen saturation to below 90–94%. If not treated immediately, this condition can be dangerous and potentially lead to serious complications.
Patients should immediately seek medical attention at the hospital, especially if they are elderly, pregnant, or have a history of co-morbidities, such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disorders, obesity, or cancer.
Treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms generally includes infusion therapy, oxygen administration, and administration of antiviral drugs for COVID, such as remdesivir or favipirapir. Doctors can also give other medicines, such as antibiotics, immunosuppressants, or corticosteroids, if needed.
4. Critical
A COVID-19 patient is said to be critical when he or she experiences symptoms in the form of a coma, seizures, can't breathe at all, is very weak, or a drastic drop in blood pressure (shock).
Under these conditions, critically ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk for complications, such as respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. If not treated immediately, this condition can lead to death.
Patients with critical conditions need to receive treatment and care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital until their condition improves. They will generally also need breathing apparatus via a ventilator machine and other treatment for severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Tips for Undergoing COVID-19 Treatment at Home
While undergoing self-isolation or treatment at home, COVID-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms can follow the following tips to support recovery:
- Eat healthy and nutritious foods, and drink enough water.
- Adequate sleep, which is for 7-9 hours every night. To expedite breathing, the patient is advised to sleep in a prone position.
- Monitor blood oxygen levels with an oximeter every day.
- Keep exercising according to your body's ability, for example stretching or yoga.
- Reduce stress, for example with relaxation exercises, meditation, or watching TV.
- Stay in touch with friends and family, for example by phone or video calls.
- Do an entertaining activity, such as reading a book or watching a movie you like.
That's a variety of information about the symptoms and treatment of COVID-19 that is important for you to know. If you or someone in your household has confirmed COVID-19, try to consult a doctor through a health application that provides services telemedicine, for example ALODOKTER.
This is important so that you or your family's condition is monitored and also to get the right COVID-19 treatment according to its severity.