F0 is being treated at home, call the medical station immediately when experiencing any of the following signs?

On the morning of February 11, Nghe An province recorded 901 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases in the area to over 26,000. Currently, the whole province has nearly 12,000 Covid-19 patients being treated, most of whom are being treated at home.

Criteria for F0 to be treated at home

According to the leader of Nghe An Department of Health, the unit has just issued a document guiding the management of Covid-19 patients at home to send to local health centers. According to the document, patients who are eligible for home treatment are those who have no clinical symptoms, or have mild clinical symptoms: such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, tongue numbness; diarrhea, runny nose, loss of smell, loss of taste.

In addition, the patient must not have signs of pneumonia or lack of oxygen; respiratory rate < 20 times/minute; SpO2 > 96% when breathing fresh air; no abnormal breathing such as groaning, chest retraction, nasal flaring, wheezing, or stridor during inhalation. No underlying disease, or if the underlying disease is under stable treatment.

Patients can take care of themselves such as eating, bathing, washing clothes, hygiene and can monitor their health status according to the instructions of medical staff. Able to contact medical staff for monitoring, supervision and in case of emergency: Able to communicate and have available means of communication such as phone, computer... In case the person with COVID-19 is unable to take care of himself, the family must have a caregiver who meets the criteria.

Health Department leaders inspect a family treating F0 at home. Photo: Thanh Chung

Things F0 should do

According to the guidelines for managing F0 at home, the health management facility for COVID-19 patients is responsible for instructing COVID-19 patients to self-monitor their health and fill in the COVID-19 Home Health Monitoring Form twice a day in the morning and afternoon or when there are signs and symptoms that require emergency hospitalization and treatment.

During treatment, what F0 needs to do to monitor their health daily is to monitor their breathing rate, pulse, temperature, SpO2 and blood pressure (if possible).

Watch for symptoms such as fatigue, cough, phlegm, chills/chills, conjunctivitis (red eyes), loss of taste or smell, diarrhea (loose stools/stools); coughing up blood, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, drowsiness, confusion; sore throat, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches, etc.

When detecting any of the following signs, F0 who are being treated at home must immediately notify the COVID-19 Home Management Facility such as the commune or ward health station; or the mobile health station, the Emergency Transport Center... to receive emergency treatment and timely transfer to the hospital. Specifically, the symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or in children, signs of abnormal breathing: groaning, chest retraction, flaring nostrils, wheezing, and wheezing when inhaling.

Regarding breathing rate, for adults: breathing rate ≥ 20 times/minute; For children from 1 to under 5 years old: Breathing rate: ≥ 40 times/minute; Children from 5 to under 12 years old: breathing rate: ≥ 30 times/minute. (Note for children: count enough breaths in 1 minute when the child is lying still and not crying).

SpO2 ≤ 96% (if an abnormal SpO2 index is detected, a second measurement is required after 30 seconds to 1 minute. When measuring, the patient must keep the same position).

Fast pulse > 120 beats/minute or < 50 beats/minute.

Low blood pressure: maximum blood pressure < 90 mmHg, minimum blood pressure < 60 mmHg (if measurable).

Frequent chest pain, feeling of chest tightness, pain increases when taking a deep breath.

Altered consciousness: confusion, drowsiness, lethargy, very tired/exhausted, fussiness, lethargy that is difficult to awaken, seizures.

Purple lips, purple fingernails, toenails, blue skin, pale lips, cold fingertips and toes.

Unable to drink or suckle poorly/reduced, poor appetite, vomiting (in children). Children show signs of multisystem inflammatory syndrome: high fever, red eyes, red lips, strawberry tongue, swollen fingers and toes with rash...

Additional acute diseases: dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease...

In addition, if the patient notices any abnormal condition, they should report it to the medical facility.

Also according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, if F0 is treated at home and has a fever:

+ For adults: > 38.5 degrees or severe headache, body aches: take 1 fever-reducing pill such as paracetamol 0.5 g each time, can be repeated every 4-6 hours, no more than 4 pills per day, drink oresol if poor/reduced appetite or can be used instead of water.

+ For children: > 38.5 degrees, take antipyretics such as paracetamol at a dose of 10-15 mg/kg/time, can be repeated every 4-6 hours, no more than 4 times a day.

If fever does not improve after taking fever-reducing medicine twice, the COVID-19 patient is required to immediately notify the COVID-19 Home Management Facility for treatment.

If F0 coughs, use cough suppressant when the cough is dry.

Also according to this guideline, people with COVID-19 should rest, do light physical exercise (appropriate to their health condition); practice breathing for at least 15 minutes a day; drink water regularly, do not wait until thirsty to drink water; do not skip meals; improve nutrition: eat enough nutrients, eat fruit, drink fruit juice... and think positively, maintain a comfortable mentality...