Caught COVID-19? - Now what?

[PatriciaBateman]

There's some amazing threads going regarding general prepping, plans, updates (Prepping for a pandemic threads in particular), my sincere thanks to those keeping us updated!

As part of a family with several "high-risk" categories , I really wanted to start condensing information together in one place about what to do if/when you actually catch it - ie. preventative measures have failed, and providing you are well enough to be managed at home.

The Basics
Vitamin C & Vitamin D (immune support)
Paracetamol/ibuprofen - some finer details to consider about whether it might be better to allow fever to take its course.
Throat lozenges/difflam spray
Oral rehydration fluid/syringe
Olbas oil and/or Vicks vapour rub
Hot water bottle to keep on chest (aids vapourisation and increases blood flow to lungs).

Other things I'm currently looking into that may or may not be helpful
Oil diffusers & tea tree/eucalyptus (basically like olbas oil for symptom relief but possibly some anti-viral action also?)
Elderberry syrup products (ie. Sambucol) - strong antiviral action against influenzae viruses at least
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518

I'd love to hear about anyone else's ideas or studies they've found - even if it's just "may be helpful" stuff.
I think I've maxed out on what I can do to minimise our chances of getting ill. Now I really want to prepare a plan about what to do/try if we catch it anyway.

[Chickenitalia]

I’m finding this whole thing fascinating, so many elements to consider which have prompted some great discussions at home.
I would add:
General cold/flu remedies, containing pseudoephedrine if you are able to take it, as these are the best I’ve found for bunged up symptoms.
Children’s versions are available over age 6.
Sudafed nasal spray is my go-to for a stuffy nose overnight, clears it in moments so you can actually sleep.
Disposable tissues.

Food wise, full sugar drinks for energy.
Soups, ice lollies, easy to eat items again to keep energy up and easy to make.

[PatriciaBateman]

How to make your own oral rehydration drink at home. Much cheaper than Dioralyte! (probably needs a little juice or squash to help taste though).

Also includes general useful instructions about rehydrating.

rehydrate.org/solutions/homemade.htm

[bellinisurge]

When I struggled to regain my appetite after the norovirus, the only thing that kickstarted it was Complan. So I have some in.
I have my preferred throat lozenges. Also bought some tumeric and ginger tea which is supposed to help with respiratory problems. I'll need to stop road testing it because it's really yummy.
I have fresh bedding and spares ready for anyone bed bound with a fever.
Obviously, as I have MS, I'm concerned it might hit me hard. Dh has mild asthma so there is the same concern.
I'm getting more bin bags to double bag waste like tissues etc.

[Elouera]

A few things here I wouldnt bother with. An oil burner wont do much except smell nice. For an actual dry throat/nasal congestion, we have a steamer device I bought from boots years ago- and use whenever we have colds/flus. You can also use olbas oils etc with that. Otherwise inhaling steam can help.

[bellinisurge]

Plenty of fresh air. Open windows as much as possible. Changes the air in the house/flat.

[TriangleBingoBongo]

Lucoazde and a steroid nasal spray

[SlayB]

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02786826.2012.708948#.VMb5Af7F-GG

Tea tree can have an effect

Also 14 essential oils were tested on the next study, cinnamon bark, lemongrass and thyme (wild and red) oils showed the highest activity, inhibiting six strains.

academic.oup.com/jac/article/47/5/565/858508

Finally Eucalyptus www.naturallifestyle.net/articles/4-Types-of-Eucalyptus-and-How-to-Use-Them-3150

[AxisOfDick]

I just bought one a Philips nebuliser off amazon, because assuming that Coronavirus takes a grip here, I live in a place where everybody is over 60 so resources will be really stretched I reckon.

This includes my lovely mum who has a bit of a weak chest.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00MOYFJDI?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

I plan to nebulise with iodine (i am a massive fan of Iodine, its antiviral antifungal and antiseptic) if necessary.

What else can I do with it? I known there's a way to nebulise vitamin C but not sure how?

[FredaFrogspawn]

Do you have medical expertise? The nebulising gets isn’t usually a thing without doctors advice. Could it be harmful?

I think we need to be careful with advice on here.

Best to use NHS website advice surely?

[Skyejuly]

Rosemary is good for germs.

[AxisOfDick]

Nah, you can get them off amazon. Popular with those who suffer from COPD.

Normally people use water in them and prescribed medicines . A couple of drops of iodine in a nebuliser would be a great way to thin mucus and fight infection/inflammation. How else would you fight pneumonia without medical resources? My mum is 76 and there's no way she'd be prioritised.

Go have a look, there's a lot of information on pubmed.

[FredaFrogspawn]

I will, thanks. Research is so important with self medication.

[AxisOfDick]

Iodine is incredibly used, even if my nebuliser idea sounds ridiculous, you cant go wrong with getting in some iodine, i always have a stash...... It even goes in my. Dogs water bowl now and again

[AdoraBell]

I use Fluradix as a boost when my appetite is knocked off by illness.

Also, my tastebuds can be kicked into action by flavours, and I use lots of garlic in winter months. It has anti viral properties. Won’t stop the spread of a virus but can help your immune system.

[lucy101]

Just thought I would share my screengrabs of oral rehydration recipes below

[Lougle]

Are you in a high risk area? That sounds like a lot of prepping for something that may never happen.

[FredaFrogspawn]

It’s not harming anyone to prep. No one has to.

[FredaFrogspawn]

Even if it isn’t needed, I think being prepared for a worse case scenario helps people to feel more in control. And may of the prepping ideas are useful outside of a pandemic/disaster tho situation eg if you have no income for a few months after losing a job or if you personally get flu as a single parent and can’t get out.

[SlayB]

@AdoraBell do you mean floradix ?

[AdoraBell]

Yes, bloody autocorrect 🤦‍♀️

[niceclock]

I reckon people need to relax. Unless you're elderly, have a compromised immune system, or have an underlying health condition that effects your lungs, contracting COVID-19 probably isn't that much of a big deal.

[AxisOfDick]

@niceclock
It is a big deal if my mum gets it, thank you!

Why do people repeatedly come out with this selfish crap? I dont want to pass it on, im not remotely worried about myself!

The government have clearly said that they will be prioritising who gets treatment which means you will likely be left to your own devices if you're older or in poor health.

Forewarned is forearmed etc etc

[bellinisurge]

@niceclock in my 50s with a compromised immune system. I'm one of those "other" people that don't count

[bellinisurge]

Thanks @lucy101 , by the way