Keep this information handy (practical tips for managing COVID-19 from an RN)

[htuttle]

It seems legit and meshes with common sense.

Link to tweet

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1237711448064884739.html

smashingteacups
Danielle. 30-something RN. Fic writer. Here for Outlander (read: Jamie and Claire)


I know we’re all tired of hearing/talking about it, but one thing I HAVEN’T really seen going around is advice for what happens if you DO get coronavirus (many of us will), only advice for how to try to AVOID it. So as your friendly neighborhood RN, a wee thread:

Things you should *actually* buy ahead of time (Erm, not sure what the obsession with toilet paper is?): Kleenex, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in 350 mg tablets, Ibuprofen (Advil) in 200 mg tablets, Mucinex, Robitussin or DayQuil/NyQuil, whatever your cough medicine of choice is.

If you don’t have a humidifier, that would also be a good thing to get. (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam). Also a good time to make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand.

If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn’t expired and refill it/get a new one if it is.

You basically just want to prepare as though you know you’re going to get a nasty respiratory bug like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it’s coming.

For symptom management, use the meds I mentioned. For a fever over 101, alternate Tylenol and Advil so you’re taking a dose of one or the other every 3 hours. Use both cough suppressants and expectorants (most cough meds have both). Drink a ton, hydrate hydrate. Rest lots.

You should not be leaving your house except to go to the doctor, and if you do, wear a mask (regular is fine, you don’t need an N95). You DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE ER unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high and unmanaged with meds.

90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration/over-the-counter meds. We don’t want to clog the ERs unless you’re actually in distress. The hospital beds will be used for people who actively need oxygen/breathing treatments/IV fluids.

If you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosuppressants, now is a great time to talk to your PCP or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick. They might have plans to get you admitted and bypass the ER entirely.

One major relief to you parents is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus— they usually bounce back in a few days, no one under 18 has died, and almost no kids have required hospitalization (unless they have a lung disease like CF). Just use pediatric dosing of the same meds.

I’m always around via DM if you have questions, and if I don’t have the answer I’ll just tell you to call your doctor. 😉 But feel free to contact me any time. 😘

Sorry, need an edit button! 325 mg tablets of Tylenol! 350 doesn’t exist 😉

[58Sunliner]

1. I'm going to add with a post of my own tomorrow about pulmonary hygiene. Timely topic.

[htuttle]

5. Excellent idea

Thank you

[ribrepin]

29. Yes that would be a helpful thread

[elleng]

2. Thanks.

Bookmarked

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Arkansas has set up a number to call for advice.

ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. During normal business hours (8:00am – 4:30pm), urgent and non-urgent calls, please call 1-800-803-7847. After normal business hours, urgent calls needing immediate response, please call 501-661-2136.

 

[MelissaB]

4. Thank you!

[Hoyt]

6. This is really good, and is likely what most of us need. I read today that most

of those who end up in hospital are managed with oxygen, primarily. Of course, there are those who are even sicker because of age and other conditions.

[Dem2]

7. Thanks

Bookmarking. Mom has asthma and I need to remind her to check if her inhaler is still good.

[colsohlibgal]

8. Thanks So Much!

Always nice to get solid advice from someone in the know.

[mcar]

9. Great information

Thanks.

[volstork]

10. Very helpful

Thank you!

[rwheeler31]

11. Thank you I forgot to get the rescue inhaler renewed.

[Cracklin Charlie]

12. Kicking to save your post in hopes that none of us need this excellent information.

Thank you.

[fierywoman]

13. I found this very consoling, thank you for putting it up xoxo

[blitzen]

14. Thanks so much!

[rainin]

15. Excellent advice. Thank you!

Regarding the toilet paper "obsession". I want to have enough that I don't have to go to the store for 4-6 weeks. For a family of four, that's challenging. Not only would it be uncomfortable to have to shop when you're sick, it's dangerous to yourself and others, so prepare so you can stay home

Freezing soup is a great idea!!!

[subana]

73. I bought more toilet paper this week, just in case

I have a friend who lives in Australia & they have been going nuts for toilet paper! There is little to none available. She told me one story where some people got into a fight over buying toilet paper & one them pulled a knife on the other one.

A woman was carrying a package of toilet paper in her arms & another woman took it out of her hands as she was walking. And the woman who took it from the other one already had a package of toilet paper in her cart!!

After hearing those stories I decided I should buy more now, just in case.

[Canoe52]

16. My wife the nurse agrees, says make sure you get your cough medicine now

before you get sick.

[FailureToCommunicate]

17. Very helpful. Thanks for posting!

[denvine]

18. Thank you!

Very helpful!

[Midnight Writer]

19. Thank you. I would ad a digital thermometer to your list. 101 sick. 103 bad. 105 damage

[htuttle]

20. +1

Takes like 10-15 seconds, tops to get a temperature.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

21. And what do you take if you're on Brilinta and 81mg aspirin already?

[htuttle]

22. I think I'd ask whoever prescribed the Brilinta

[Hermit-The-Prog]

23. Good idea. Thanks!

[Dem2theMax]

24. Kicking so I can come back and read in a bit.

Kick.

[crickets]

25. Thank you! Your information is so helpful. Bookmarked. K&R

[Leghorn21]

26. This is feckin' fabulous!!

Many thanks for posing, ht!!

[Mossfern]

27. Unfortunately

I'm on Warfarin, so I can't take any of the meds that are suggested in the OP.
I do have a humidifier though ...

[wnylib]

74. I can understand not taking

aspirin or related NSAIDS if you are on Warfarin, but what about Tylenol or generic acetominophen?

I can't take aspirin or related NSAIDS, like Ibuprofin, due to an aspirin allergy, but I do take acetominiphen (generic Tylenol). Check with your doctor or pharmacist. Acetominiphen does not have the blood-thinning effect that aspirin and related meds have, as far as I know.

[Mossfern]

76. It was my cardiologist

who told me that I shouldn't take Tylenol - only minimally for extreme pain. It does effect INR levels. In the past I was told that I could take it. I did look it up after he told me that, I guess that the research has changed. There are other ways to bring down fevers, like lukewarm baths etc.

[wnylib]

77. By all means then, follow

the advice of your cardiologist who is an expert. I am not.

When I was 8 years old, I caught an "Asian flu" virus going around then (1950s) and my temp went up to 105.6. My mother called our doctor who said to give me an ice bath and children's aspirin (that was before my allergy to it developed) and monitor my temp every15 minutes. If it did not start to drop in 30 minutes, she should take me to the hospital. Whether it was the aspirin or the ice water or both, it worked.

But I have heard that doctors no longer recommend ice baths and say lukewarm water is better. Don't know why.

[mahina]

28. So very grateful

[relayerbob]

30. Thank you!!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. 3 yr old died yesterday

[Joinfortmill]

32. Thank you very much.

[ancianita]

33. Thank you. This means a lot to us. I'm spreading this around.

[calimary]

34. GOOD one. A keeper.

[Hekate]

35. Thanks. Timely reminder to call my allergist for an up to date rescue inhaler.

Also need to ask internist about my husband who is on immunosuppressants.

[flying_wahini]

36. Also another reminder that people with high blood pressure have had more complications.

If you take B/P meds take them even if you are sick. Do not stop taking your regular meds.

[Delmette2.0]

37. Thank you.

Good information.

[dmr]

38. K&R

[BGBD]

39. Very good advice. Let me add

that you don't need to wait until you are sick to hydrate. When I played football we would start drinking extra water several days before the game to be sure that we didn't get dehydrated during it and start cramping up.

Some people have said that drinking lots of water might help keep you from getting sick. That might not be true, but being fully hydrated can only help you if you get sick. And if you never get sick, drinking enough water is still just a good choice.

[Rorey]

55. Very good advice

I was just thinking about that as I was laying in bed this morning, trying to go back to sleep. I think most people don't drink enough water. I'm going to start keeping a tally.

[James48]

40. More advice:

To help keep your immune system in top shape right now, eat plenty of fresh fruits - Oranges ( for Vitamin C) and consider vitamin supplements including Vitamin D, B complex, and zinc. All are needed for a healthy immune system.

[wnylib]

75. Nature Made makes a good

vitamin B complex called their Stress Formula. It has all the B viramins in good proportion to each other. It's not a super high, so-called "balanced formula like some B complexes that have 50 to 100 units of each (which is too high and out of proportion to what they should be to each other). The Nature Made Stress Formula B complex has above daily minimum requirements, but not too high. This formula includes zinc, copper, vitamin C, and a small dose of vitamin E.

Also, orange juice that has pulp is better than juice without pulp. The pulp has bioflavonoids that help the immune system to fight disease. Tomatoes, even the juice, canned sauce, or canned paste are also good sources of natural vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

[KewlKat]

41. Kick

[softydog88]

42. Thank you for the information.

I just made my order from Amazon. I hope they're still delivering.

[woodsprite]

57. As of now they are. I did the same thing

On a normal day, I have a hard time finding a store that carries coricidin HBP. Now we have 3 people in the house that would need it. Daughter doesn’t have high bp normally, but recently had an allergic reaction to Mucinex. I got some for myself, I’ll place another order today to cover my husband and daughter. Son is good with NyQuil or Mucinex.

[C Moon]

43. What's the purpose of a humidifier? I remember my dad had a vaporizer when he was sick.

He was hospitalized for pneumonia a couple times.
I never understood the purpose of the vaporizer, though. It seems like it would spread germs to me.
Thanks.

[herding cats]

44. It helps with ease of breathing if one is congested.

There's also science which says humidity forced some virus (no evidence to date on COFID-19 on this) out of the air and down to surfaces. Which reduces their airborne rate.

[C Moon]

45. Ah. Thanks!

Shopping for one now!

[herding cats]

46. You could just boil water in a large stock pot.

If you're watching your spending, this is an excellent option.

[forgotmylogin]

66. Don't let pneumonia get hold of your lungs. Breathe defensively!

Check your deep breathing regularly. If a deep breath causes a rattling feeling, wheezing, or you feel the need to stop because you will start coughing, that means your lungs have fluid in them.

Most people want to lie in bed without moving when sick, but that is how pneumonia builds up. Change positions frequently and try to sit up or walk a bit if you can and get fresh air. Just like standing water in a puddle can become a brackish home for pathogens, so can fluid that remains in your lungs. You need oxygen to hit that fluid and help dissipate it or loosen it so you can cough it up. Coughing is your body's reflexive way to do that.

You want to cough through that buildup and free your airway. If you don't have a humidifier, you can stand in a hot steamy shower, and if possible lean over with your hands on your knees and cough vigorously without hurting yourself. The steam will help loosen fluid/phlegm, as will expectorants like Mucinex.

If you breathe deeply and it feels like you need to stop because you will start coughing, BREATHE THROUGH IT AND COUGH IT OUT (safely, of course). Resist the temptation to breathe shallowly and avoid coughing.

(Of course, do this safely and not around other people if possible to avoid spreading germs.)

[C Moon]

70. Damn. Thanks for this!!

[DeminPennswoods]

78. IIRC, to keep your nose and throat from getting dried out

There is nothing worse than being sick and having a dry mouth.

[Demovictory9]

47. k&r

[Stonepounder]

48. I'll definitely be talking to my Pulmonologist about my meds.

I'm one of those that will be in the ICU if I catch this damn thing. Currently taking 5-6 meds in the morning and 3-4 more at night and am 72. You can guess from the number of meds that I have some issues. Unfortunately I suffer from IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) so just about anything that impares my breathing is a crisis. But your post reminded me that I need to discuss this with my Docs, both Pulmonary and PCP.

The wife and I are also practicing social isolation with a vengeance. Our grandson lives with us and he gets to do all the running around to the store and if he is not available we pay the $10.00 fee and have the groceries delivered.

[Raine]

49. Thanks 👍

so much, very helpful.. 👍 💞

[Squinch]

51. This is great. Thank you.

[gademocrat7]

52. Thank you very much, htuttle.

Good information to have on fighting this desease.

[dem4decades]

53. Thanks. Good info.

[cwydro]

54. Tylenol is toxic to the liver. I'd get advice from a doctor before following that Tylenol/Advil

advice.

[woodsprite]

58. That's typical ER and pediatric instructions

To manage stubborn fevers. Now, if you have liver issues,ask your dr. If you have bp issues, ask your dr regarding the ibuprofen.

[cwydro]

59. I've never been given that advice at an ER.

[woodsprite]

60. I was even given that advice when

Last edited Thu Mar 12, 2020, 09:50 AM - Edit history (1)

I refused prescription pain meds for cracked and bruised ribs. Won’t do that again! Those kept the rib pain to barely tolerable.

[RobinA]

72. I Got That Advice

recently when recovering from major surgery. They said to alternate my Percocet with Advil. The Percocet helped but the Advil didn't work worth diddly.

[forgotmylogin]

65. Any OTC pain-reliever can be toxic to the liver if taken constantly.

As long as you're only using Tylenol or similar OTC occasionally for pain or fever as directed that's its purpose.

What they don't want people to do is take Tylenol or ibuprofen daily for chronic pain on a long term basis - that's when it starts building up in the system and causes problems.

That's the purpose of the wording on almost every OTC "Stop taking and see your doctor if symptoms continue longer than 7 days/two weeks."

[DeminPennswoods]

79. Regular aspirin

It's gotten a bad rap because it can cause stomach irritation and bleeding, but on the infrequent times I need to take it, works great for me.

[Maeve]

56. Bookmarked for future reference!

[kairos12]

61. Thanks. Great information.

[Texin]

62. I haven't had a humidifier since maybe the 70s.

Doctors have warned about the fact the devices can develop mold that can be propelled by the steam. What I used to do was heat up a pot of water, bring it to the boil and drape a towel over the pan and breathe in the steam - but at a safe enough distance from the pan to avoid a burn. Of course, this would mean a person is able to stand comfortably, and that may not be possible if running a high temp and feeling too ill to get around. I may just get a humidifier after all. They're cheap.

[cannabis_flower]

63. Lots of people

Use toilet paper as Kleenex.

[SunSeeker]

64. K & R & Bookmarked!

[marieo1]

67. Great Tips

Some of the best tips for dealing with coronavirus.

[Catherine Vincent]

68. I ordered an 18 ct box of antiviral kleenex tissues

That should last for a while.

[LisaM]

69. One thing I haven't bought in years, but think I will now is frozen juice.

It keeps, I can keep a number of cans in the freezer, and I can also have a good variety available. (Cuts down on packaging too).

[ChiTownDenny]

71. +1

Thank you!

[DeminPennswoods]

80. Just will add: listen to your body

No one knows your own body better than you do. When I get a cold or flu, luckily not very often, I get a craving for orange juice or oranges or for real cold water. Figure that's my body telling me to keep hydrated and give it some vitamin c.