Coronavirus prevention: how to care for someone with Covid-19 at home?

by Kremy PUBLISHED Apr 10, 2020

Can you be in contact with someone who has covid-19 without being infected? Well, having in mind the ways of transmission of coronavirus, the risk of infection is always present and the longer the contact, the more the danger increases. And this is why social isolation is strongly advised. However, living with a family member who has been diagnosed with covid-19 is entirely possible if you take some precautions. If you are taking care of someone infected with the virus, here are our tips for coronavirus prevention in order to limit the risks of getting infected!

Table of Contents

Coronavirus prevention when living with someone diagnosed with covid-19
- Only one person to provide care

Coronavirus prevention when living with someone diagnosed with covid-19

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We remind you that covid-19 is transmitted by respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth, when a person carrying the disease sneezes or coughs on you or on surfaces that you will subsequently touch. Another way for coronavirus spread is the contact of unwashed hands contaminated with droplets. This is why, the good disinfection of the house, vehicle and your hands is of crucial importance to limit the risks of contamination.

In fact, according to the latest studies, the virus responsible for Covid-19 is more transmissible by contact with respiratory droplets than by air. As for its lifespan, it depends on several factors.

Only one person to provide care

But when caring for someone with coronavirus, adopting some habits and social distancing measures becomes one of the most difficult tasks. However, caregivers advise limiting your contact when caring for someone diagnosed with covid-19. In other words, they consider that the person providing the care must be in good health. This individual must not use the same personal items neither the same bathroom, as the patient. The latter must, in turn, close the toilet cover before flushing the toilet.

Make sure you follow these rules strictly

If you are at risk, you should not take care of someone with covid-19. This applies to older people and those with chronic problems (heart or lung disease) or a weak immune system. If you cannot keep a minimum distance of 2 meters from the sick person, wearing a face mask, disposable gloves and glasses is a must!

After giving care, throw away gloves and mask immediately. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in contact with the sick person and after removing your protective equipment. Dry your hands with disposable paper towels. If you don’t have any, opt for a reusable towel and replace it when it gets wet. In some cases, you can use wipes or a homemade hand sanitizer. Once your hands are properly disinfected, you can touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

Keep a sterile and clean environment

Whether you care for someone diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus or not, masks, gloves and eye protection guarantee optimal coronavirus prevention. After wearing them, it is essential to throw them in a plastic-lined waste container filled with alcohol or a chlorine product. As for potentially contaminated clothing, place it in a plastic-lined laundry container and avoid shaking it.

Monitor your symptoms

Following the listed precautions and be sure to watch for symptoms. If you have any doubts about your health after being in direct contact with the body fluids of the infected person (coughing and sneezing) while not wearing a mask, contact your doctor for further instructions. If you notice any coronavirus symptoms, isolate yourself as soon as possible and contact your doctor.

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