Fighting COVID-19 on the home front

Right now, South Dakota has 2,600 active cases of COVID-19, but only 130 are hospitalized with the disease. In other words, 2,470 South Dakotans are isolated at home, taking care of themselves and treating their own symptoms.

It won’t be fun, but it is possible to survive a COVID-19 infection at home. Keep in mind, however, that the disease affects people differently. If your symptoms seem to be getting worse, you might need to reach out for medical intervention. Sheila Long, a Triage Nurse at Monument Health, has good advice to help you get through COVID-19.

• Drink lots of fluids – However, avoid caffeine and alcohol. Dehydration can complicate your recovery. You can replace electrolytes by drinking Pedialyte or Gatorad.
• Get lots of rest – You might be tempted to use your down time to reorganize your recipe cards or deep clean the family room, but your body needs its energy to fight the virus.
• Eat small meals regularly – You might lose your sense of taste or smell. You might also feel nausea. But your body needs fuel.
• Use over-the-counter medicines – Ibuprofen and Tylenol for aches and pains, cold medicines for chest congestion and vitamins to boost your immune system. Be with Tylenol — too much can harm kidneys and other organs.
• Stay in touch – Zoom, FaceTime or even a phone call can keep your spirits up and avoid mental health issues.
• If you feel uncomfortable on your own, call the Nurse Triage Line at 755-1350. We might be able to set you up with a pulse oximeter and a thermometer and daily check-ins to monitor your symptoms.