Recovering from Coronavirus: What to Expect?
If you are recovering from coronavirus, the next question you have will be what to expect. With so many people having been infected, a large number not even knowing they had the virus at all, expectations can become confusing during the recovery time. What follows are a few tips that will help you get past the experience so you can protect others.
Isolation
If you believe you have contracted the coronavirus, call your doctor. Most cases of coronavirus, particularly those that strike healthy individuals below the age of 50 have mild effects. In such cases you will be recommended to stay at home in isolation.
If you have pre-existing conditions or are elderly, it may be recommended that you seek medical treatment after talking to a health professional.
I Feel Better, Now What?
If you have been sick and now are recovering, there are three basic requirements you need to meet before leaving isolation.
Seven Days: At least seven days have passed since you first noticed the symptoms. This may vary depending on what your physician says to you.
No Fever: You have no fever for the past three full days without taking any medications that reduce the fever. This means that the body no longer recognizes the threat from the virus.
Other Symptoms Improving: If you had a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms related to the virus. When they improve it means your immune system is getting it out of your body.
However, just because you are improving does not mean that you cannot infect others. Before you leave isolation, do the following:
- Get a mask
- Limit your trips to places where other people congregate such as the grocery store
- Take things easy at first
You may still feel tired after recovering, but that is normal especially if you experienced serious or severe symptoms.
What Else Can I Do?
Until you have fully rid yourself of the virus, it is best to take things slow and easy at first. One step that you might consider is donating plasma. Plasma from those have been infected and recovered can be used to help others fighting the coronavirus. You may be able to help others now that you have recovered.
It’s okay to go outside when you are not in the presence of others, such as taking a walk or stepping out in your backyard. Just remember that you should not overly exert yourself as your body may not be ready.
Keep in mind that you may experience symptoms on and off for several weeks. Everyone is different, so you may find yourself feeling some symptoms of the virus even after it seemingly has long passed. This is why you should take things easy for a while.
Recovering from coronavirus means adding some new responsibilities to protect those around you. While you may have suffered mild effects or perhaps did not experience any symptoms at all. The same may not be true of others that you exposed. Those with health conditions and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, so you will need to take precautions before you are fully free of the coronavirus.
Contact PSC Community Services for more information. Please reach out to us directly at 718-389-7060 or info@psccs.org