Covid: How to look after yourself at home

So you've caught Covid. What now?

Obviously, stay away from other people to avoid giving it to them.

In terms of your own wellbeing, here's what experts recommend.

Tell family and friends

Don't suffer in silence. Let people know that you have Covid. They might be able to help with dropping off some food to your door and give you a call to check how you are doing.

Rest up

Even with newer variants of the virus like Omicron and Delta, many people will have mild or no symptoms and will be able to safely ride out the infection at home.

The main symptoms, says the NHS, are still:

• a new, continuous cough
• a fever/high temperature
• loss of or change to smell or taste
• But researchers who have been gathering feedback from hundreds of thousands of people about their experiences with Covid suggests the top five symptoms are similar to a cold:

runny nose

headache

fatigue (either mild or severe)

sneezing

sore throat

If you feel grotty, there are things you can do that may help.

Get lots of rest, drink plenty of water and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help you feel more comfortable.

For a cough, try lying on your side or sitting upright rather than on your back.

Sitting up, rather than lying down, is also good if you are a bit breathless.

You could also try:

breathing slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle

relaxing your shoulders, so you're not hunched, and leaning forward slightly with your hands on your knees

turning down the heating a bit and letting in some fresh air

Tips for breathlessness

Some people may already have (or want to buy) a gadget called a pulse oximeter that can check the level of oxygen in the blood.

It clips on to your finger and can be a useful measurement to know, a bit like keeping a check on your temperature with a thermometer.

Visit the hospital or call NCDC on 6232 if:

you're feeling gradually more unwell or more breathless

you have difficulty breathing when you stand up or move around

you feel very weak, achy or tired

you're shaking or shivering

you've lost your appetite

you're unable to care for yourself - for example, tasks like washing and dressing or making food are too difficult

you still feel unwell after four weeks - this may be long Covid

Go to hospital immediately or call 6232 if:

you're so breathless that you're unable to say short sentences when resting

your breathing has got suddenly worse

you cough up blood

you feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin

you have a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it

you collapse or faint

you feel agitated, confused or very drowsy

you've stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual

If you are worried about a baby or child, do not delay getting help. If they seem very unwell, are getting worse, or you think there's something seriously wrong, call NCDC on 6232