CORONA UPDATE – 5: WHAT TO DO IF OUR FAMILY MEMBER GETES COVID – [SARS- COV -2 INFECTIONS] Compiled By: Dr. Narendra Malhotra, Dr. Neharika Malhotra Bora, Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, Dr. Keshav Malhotra Corona virus is very-very infective contagion and spreads mostly by droplet infection to close human contacts, other ways of transmission are not common. An English movie released a few years back “CONTAGION” it describes this deadly pandemic which we are facing these days.

1. CORONA UPDATE – 5: WHAT TO DO IF OUR FAMILY MEMBER GETES COVID – [SARS- COV -2 INFECTIONS]
Compiled By:
Dr. Narendra Malhotra, Dr. Neharika Malhotra Bora, Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, Dr. Keshav Malhotra
Corona virus is very-very infective contagion and spreads mostly by droplet infection to close human contacts, other
ways of transmission are not common. An English movie released a few years back “CONTAGION” it describes this
deadly pandemic which we are facing these days. Click on link to watch movie “CONTAGION”
https://youtu.be/jPL23-XFrYU
How infection is caused and What is the time line of infections ? (Fig-1)
[Fig-1 : Time Line of Corona Infection]
Infected person with mild disease, not requiring oxygen and quarantine at home is advised. Such persons to stay and
can recover at home without hospitalization. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public
areas.
Almost 80% will have only mild symptoms [Fever, severe body aches, loss of smell/taste, cough, sneezing, cold GI
symptomes etc] they should stay at home in self quarantine and in tele consultation with COVID helpline and
physician team.
(Govt. COVID helpline 011-23978046 or 1075) Rainbow Hospital Helpline : +91 81910 22444, 0562-2600531-538
(Dr. Pankaj Bhatia : +91 94128 95978, Dr. Vishwa Deepak : +91 99588 82595, Dr. Shubham Jain : +91 70423 57955,
In case of Pregnancy - Dr. Manpreet Sharma : +91 93191 02069, Dr. Shemi Bansal : +91 98976 37828,
Dr. Sarita Dixit : +91 96109 62978)
Symptoms last a few days, and people usually feel better after a week. But they need 2 negative RT-PCR and
minimum 3 days of feeling good, before they can come out of isolation.
Family members in the same house must take extra care:-
The family members are not at higher risk for severe illness from SARS-COV-2(COVID) except for older age over 60,
diabetics, BP patients, heart disease, kidney problem patients. These persons should not come in contact with the
COVID positive case in the family.

2. 1. Limit contact & Sanitize. Limit contact between the person who is sick and their family, friends and pet(s). If
family members and cleaning staff have to enter the room, they should wear PPE (Refer fig PPE kits – Fig-2).
[Fig-2a] [Fig-2b] [Fig-2c]
2. Mask (N95) by patient & all in home. (Refer fig masks) (Fig-3)
[Fig-3a: Mask Prevents Transmission] [Fig-3b]
3. Social distance and mask and as little talk as possible, from a distance (Fig-4)
[Fig-4: Social Distancing]
4. The person who is sick or test positive should use a separate bedroom and bathroom away from others.
5. Shared space: If you have to share space, make sure the room has good air flow and ventilation. (Fig-5)

3. [Fig-5: Air circulation]
(Open the window and turn on a fan (if possible) to increase air circulation. Improving ventilation helps remove
respiratory droplets from the air. Don’t switch on the A.C. in closed room).(Fig-5)
6. Avoid having any unnecessary visitors, especially visits by people who are at higher risk for severe illness. (No
visitors sign outside the main gate).
[Fig-6: No Visitors]
7. Provide the infected family member support and help to cover basic needs
8. Crocin / Paracetamol / Acetaminophen / Tylenol and other medicines as advised by physician should be
started and taken along with Vitamins (B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3) and Zn.
Take over-the-counter medicines, such as Crocin/Paracetamol, to help you feel better. Rest all medicines
should be taken only on medical advice. (Fig-7)
[Fig-7: First Aid Box]
9. Drinks a lot of fluids and rest. Water, cold drinks, hot drinks, immunity booster drinks should be supplied in
ample. (Fig-8)
[Fig-8]

4. 10. Towels, bath and hand towels, tissues etc should be separate and soaked in sodium hypochlorite water after
use.
11. Good healthy diet with lots of fresh leafy vegetables and citrus fruits should be given. (Consider having the
items delivered to the sick family member in disposable plates and containers. They (or you can arrange)
wash their dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water, or disposable plates. Handle any dishes,
cups/glasses, or silverware used by the person who is sick with gloves wear mask. Wash them with soap and
hot water or in a dishwasher. (Fig-8, 9, 10)
[Fig-9] [Fig-10] [Fig-11]
12. Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items. Regular and correct soap water hand washing and
sanitization and fogging of rooms and deep mopping of floor and furniture should be done.
13. Patient must take care of themselves. Get rest and stay hydrated. Monitor symptoms: Fever, cough, oxygen
saturation and if O2 oximeter available, that will be nice but not necessary. Keep a daily log of temperature
twice a day, cough, hours of sleeping, liquid intake, daily weight. (All monitoring devices to be kept in
patient’s room). (Fig-12)
[Fig-12 : Monitoring Devices]
14. Deep breathing, Pranayamas, Yoga and Meditation helps in immunity boosting and in relaxation and helps
making everyone stress free. Exercise, stay active, Avoid long and excessive rest periods.
Patients can be use whatsapp video calls or zoon calls with Yoga instructors for regular exercise schedules.
(Fig-13)
[Fig-13 : Yoga, Pranayam, Meditation]

5. 15. Patient must stay in touch with their doctor on telemedicine and video consultation. (Fig-12)
[Fig-14 : Telemedicine]
16. Many antiviral medicines are used for treatment, Favipiravir, Ivermectine, Remdesvir, Tocilizumab, HCQ,
Asprin & Heparin (LMWH) and Steroid (Dexamethasone Tab & Methylprednisolone) & many other medicines
are being tried to treat this disease. All these are given only to very sick patients who are hospitalized.
Plasma therapy and interleukin injections are experimental treatment. Do not take any such medicines on
your own. These are given to very sick patients who are in need of critical care and ICU care.
[Fig-15]
17. Seek Emergency Medical Attention if:
a. Trouble breathing
b. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
c. New confusion
d. Inability to wake or stay awake
e. Bluish lips or face
f. High fever and persistent cough

6. 18. Certain immune system booster medicines and measures should be taken by all. (Over the counter)
 Breathing exercises
 Zn, B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Turmeric
 Warm saline / betadine gargles / mouth wash
 Prophylactic HCQ weekly for 7 weeks (only after cardiac check up) and advice of doctor.
 Steam inhalations with Eucalyptus oil / Balms / Vicks etc
 Drinking of “Kada” etc. (No scientific proof this helps)
 Alternative Medicine therapy (Homeopathy & Ayurveda) (No documented scientific evidences)
 Chyawanprash & other such products.
19. Be Covid prepared
L1 Facility:- Asymptomatic healthy patients with positive test (Hotels, Colleges Hospitals, Private nursing
homes and now home quarantine is allowed in certain states).
L2 Facility:- For those patients who have symptoms and test is positive for CORONA admit in hospital.
L3 Facility:- For those patients who are very sick and need critical care management (ICU)(Covid hospitals be
covid prepared as per guidelines given by AIIMS and ICMR, Delhi (Fig-13)).
[Fig-16: AIIMS covid preparedness document]

7. CORONA virus is a highly contagious viral disease which as of today 22-06-2020 has no definitive treatment or
vaccine. Prevention is the best strategy and mild infections can be managed and treated at home or in quarantine
areas under proper medical supervision.
[Fig-17a : Self Risk Assessment]
[Fig-17b: Risk Stratification]
20. Assess your risk and take precautions and download Aarogya Setu App
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nic.goi.aarogyasetu&hl=en_IN)
[Fig-18: Aarogya Setu App]