What Supplies to Have at Home in Case You Get Sick
In the middle of a pandemic, there is no time to run to the pharmacy for supplies at the last minute, so it makes sense to stock up before you get sick. Here’s what you’ll need to survive a mild COVID-19 attack, or, for that matter, a common cold or flu.
We were able to speak with Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP, about what items to have at home in case you get sick. Stewart is not only president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians , but also a family physician based in Columbia, South Carolina.
Ideally, you pick up these items before you get sick, or have a contingency plan such as relying on a friend or delivery service to get them to you. Fortunately, the essentials list is pretty simple, and even if you don’t have everything in it, you probably have substitutes that will work just fine.
Fever Reducers
Symptoms of COVID-19 often include a high fever, which can get quite high, so it is important to have a supply of funds to lower your fever. “At least there’s a little Tylenol,” Stewart says, adding that when it comes to dosage, it’s important to follow the directions on the package.
There has been a lot of controversy about whether it is safe to take ibuprofen if you have COVID-19. As it turned out, ibuprofen post- still considered to be safe for patients with COVID-19 , so if you have a home remedy for lowering of temperature, do not risk being subjected to the additional impact by committing an extra trip to the store to buy more. kind. Just make sure you have enough of some kind of antipyretic right now.
Food
If you are sick, do not leave your home. It is important that you either have an adequate supply of food or have a plan for how you will receive this food during your illness. A little upfront planning can go a long way as many grocery delivery services report delays.
House cleaning supplies
We already (or should) clean the house more often, paying particular attention to surfaces with high levels of contact. In the event that you get sick, these efforts will need to be intensified, especially if there are others in your home. Make sure you have enough supplies at home to last at least two weeks so you don’t run out of supplies when you get sick. After cleaning with a detergent , a disinfectant should be used for which a dilute bleach solution or an alcohol solution with at least 70% alcohol should be used.
Surgical masks, if you can find them
For people who are not sick or trained in health care providers, masks offer mixed benefits . If you get sick, however, a mask is an important tool to help keep you from infecting others.
“If you are sick or caring for a sick person, be sure to wear a mask,” Stewart says.
Soap and hand sanitizer
We already wash our hands and use hand sanitizer (right?). In the event that you get sick, these measures will become even more important so as not to infect everyone with whom you live. Make sure you have enough soap and hand sanitizer for at least two weeks.
“Wash your hands, wash your hands,” Stewart says.
Thermometer
Fever is often associated with COVID-19, which means having a thermometer on hand is helpful in tracking disease progression. The problem, however, is that they are hard to find right now. If you don’t already have one, don’t worry, there are alternatives. You can start with a digital meat thermometer .
But don’t be discouraged if you have nothing to keep track of your temperature with.
“You should have a thermometer if you can, but if you don’t, you know when you feel different,” Steward says, adding that a thermometer is more of a verification tool. If you have a high fever, you will know about it without even knowing your exact body temperature. If you feel a fever, the next step is to call your family doctor to review your symptoms and suggest a course of action.
“Listen to your body”
There has been much debate in some quarters about whether it is beneficial to have a pulse oximeter, a small device that attaches to a finger and measures the oxygen level in the blood.
If a patient doesn’t know how to use a pulse oximeter correctly, Stewart said, trying to do so can add unnecessary anxiety to an already daunting situation. For example, applying a small amount of nail polish to a nail can lead to an underestimation of the number.
“You don’t need a pulse oximeter to tell if you have shortness of breath,” Stewart says. “If you feel like you have a fever, if you feel short of breath, you should see your family doctor.”
Emergency warning signs for which patients should see a doctor promptly, according to the CDC, include breathing problems, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion or failure to awaken or bluish tinge to the lips or face.
In other words: “Listen to your body,” Stewart says.