Ever since the onset of COVID-19 – popularly referred to as Corona Virus – nations have begun taking precautionary steps to curb its spread.

One of these precautions is self-isolation, which means staying indoors for a given period with little or no contact with other people.

Why Self-Isolation?

Apparently, most people who have been infected with the coronavirus may not be able to tell they’re affected within the first few days.

However, this is also the period when the virus is most contagious and most likely to spread to other people.

Therefore, as soon as you begin to show symptoms (especially fever and cough), try to stay away from other people.

Apart from reducing the spread of the virus, self-isolation also reduces the mortality rate.
At the same time, vaccines and preventive drugs can be developed with better precision.

When Should I Begin Self-Isolation?

As soon as you begin to notice any of the symptoms of COVID-19, such as abnormally high temperature and prolonged cough, you should start self-isolation.

This is irrespective of whether or not you have recently visited other locations with significant cases of the pandemic.

You do not even need to wait till you can reach the health care service of your country to start self-isolation.

You also do not need to get tested to begin self-isolation. Start off 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 advisable to remain in self-isolation until two weeks after your initial symptoms.

If you live with people or have come in contact with people during your initial symptoms, let them self-isolate for two weeks as well.

Try as much as possible to keep older people and those with weak immune systems or underlying health issues far from you.

However, if after seven days, you no longer have symptoms, you can go about your normal activities.

But if you begin to self-isolate after someone close to you becomes unwell, and you eventually develop symptoms, you must restart the self-isolation up to seven days.

This is because the virus is usually contagious within the first seven days from the onset of symptoms.

Nevertheless, if other symptoms disappear, but your cough still persists, you can go about your normal activities. A continuous cough by itself is not enough to continue to self-isolate.

Do’s and Don’ts of Self-Isolation

If you must prevent the spread of COVID-19, try to adhere to the following instructions during self-isolation.

Self-isolation is different from social distancing. Stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Also, avoid public places like schools, transport services, and even work.

Begin self-isolation as soon as you notice any symptoms of COVID-19. No test or confirmation call is required to go into self-isolation.

From the first day you had symptoms, family, and friends around you should also try to stay at home for 14 days. If after 14 days, they do not manifest symptoms, then they can go about their regular routine.

Pregnant women and seniors should stay as far away from you as possible once you begin to manifest symptoms.

If possible, self-isolate in a room different from where others stay. Keep the doors closed, but let the windows remain open for proper ventilation.

If it is impossible for you to have a separate room to yourself, then maintain at least a three-step distance from other people.

Avoid sharing items like cups, cutlery, drinking straws, towels, or beddings with other people when you are self-isolating.

If you must share spaces like bathrooms and kitchens with other people, make it a habit to wipe every surface you come in contact with.

Take a lot of water. Adequate hydration is necessary if your body system must be stable during self-isolation.

Take pain relief tablets if your symptoms need to be aggravated.

Whenever you cough or sneeze, do so into tissue papers or disposable pieces of cloth. Afterward, keep them in separate trash cans and dispose of them only after 3 days.

While it is safe to launder your clothes and beddings with everyone else’s, try not to shake them to avoid dispersing the virus into the atmosphere.

Make it a habit to wash your hands regularly. 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 around you won’t be a bad idea.

Conclusion

Staying self by practicing self-isolation is for our benefits and that of those around us. Who knows, you might be saving someone. Self-isolate, stay safe.



https://thespicyliving.com/covid-19-what-you-should-know-about-self-isolation