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COVID-19: What you should know about self-isolation

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Since the emergence of COVID-19 – commonly known as the Corona Virus – countries have begun to take precautions to limit its spread. Of these preventive measures is self-isolation, which means staying indoors for a certain period of time with little or no contact with others.

Why self-isolate?

Obviously, most people who have been infected with the coronavirus may not know they are affected for the first few days. However, this is the period when the virus is most contagious and most contagious to others. Therefore, as soon as you start showing symptoms (especially fever and cough), try to stay away from other people.

In addition to reducing the spread of the virus, self-isolation also reduces mortality. At the same time, vaccines and preventive drugs can be easily develop with better accuracy.

When should I start self-isolating?

As soon as you start to notice any symptoms of COVID-19, such as an unusually high temperature and a persistent cough, you should start self-isolating. This does not matter whether you have been to other locations with significant pandemic cases.

You don’t even have to wait until you can get to your country’s health care service to start self-isolating. You also don’t need to check in to start self-isolating. Start as soon as you notice symptoms.

How Long Should I Self-Isolate?

Given that the incubation period of the virus is two weeks, it is only can advise to self-isolate for up to two weeks after your initial symptoms. If you live with people or come into contact with people during initial symptoms, have them self-isolate for two weeks.

Do your best to keep older people and people with weakened immune systems or underlying health problems away from you.

However, if after seven days you are symptom-free, you can resume your normal activities. But if you start self-isolating after someone close to you becomes unwell and you eventually develop symptoms, you must restart self-isolation for up to seven days. This is because the virus is usually contagious within the first seven days of the onset of symptoms.

However, if other symptoms go away but the cough persists, you can resume your normal activities. Continuous coughing by itself is not enough to continue self-isolation.

Do’s and Don’ts of Self-Isolation

If you must prevent the spread of COVID-19, try to follow these guidelines during self-isolation.

• Self-isolation is different from social distancing. Stay home and avoid contact with others.
• Avoid public places like schools, transportation services, and even workplaces.
• Begin self-isolation as soon as you notice any symptoms of COVID-19. Does not require a test or confirmation call to go into self-isolation.
• From the first day you have symptoms, you and your family should try to stay home for 14 days. If after 14 days they show no signs of possible symptoms, then they can return to their normal routine.
• Pregnant women and the elderly should stay as far away from you as possible when you start showing symptoms.
• If possible, isolate yourself in a different room from where others are. Close the doors, but leave the windows open for proper ventilation. If you can’t have a room to yourself, maintain a distance of at least three steps from others.
• Avoid sharing items such as cups, cutlery, straws, towels or sheets with others while you are self-isolating.
• If you must share spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens with others, make it a habit to wipe down every surface you come in contact with.
• Drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated is essential if your body systems are to be stable during self-isolation.
• Take pain relievers.

• Prevent the spread of COVID 19

• Whenever you cough or sneeze, do so on a tissue or disposable cloth. Then, keep them in separate bins and only dispose of them after 3 days.
• While it is safe to laundry person your clothes and bedding with others, try not to shake them to avoid spreading the virus into the atmosphere.
• Make it a habit to wash your hands often. Use mild or medicated soap and warm water to do so. Also, scrub for up to 20 seconds when you wash your hands.
• Having a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you wouldn’t be a bad idea.