Stay home unless you absolutely need to see a doctor. Avoid work, school, college, cinema halls and shopping. If you need to come out of your room, wear a surgical mask. Don’t share towels at all.

Self-quarantine and self-isolation are two different entities. Self-quarantine is for the large numbers of healthy people who may fall sick following possible exposure. However, self-isolation is meant for people who are already infected with the coronavirus. They pose a danger to their family and visitors, and must be watched carefully.

With testing still not available all over, it is best to self-quarantine. Governments have the power not just to advise quarantine but to order it.

If you have returned from any affected country, have symptoms of fever and dry cough, have spent time in other countries or on cruise ships, or are ill without any known source of infection, it is best to stay at home.

Home quarantine of 2 weeks may not be a welcome experience, especially if you have young children or elderly relatives to care for, or live in crowded quarters with a lot of roommates.

Separation - If you can potentially transmit infection to others, it is better to separate yourself from your partner, housemates, and children. You shouldn’t even pet your dog, although pets are not known to transmit the coronavirus.

You should have a room for your exclusive use, including a bathroom. Every surface you cough on or touch could become contaminated. There should be no visitors, and it is important to keep a distance of three to six feet between yourself others. Don’t take the bus or metro, or even a taxi.

Masks - If you absolutely have to be around other people, such as in your home, or in a car, on your way to see a doctor (only after you have called), wear a surgical mask. Everyone else should also wear a mask. If you can’t get your hands on a mask, you can create a makeshift one from a scarf or some other garment.

Hygiene - If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, and discard the used tissue in a lined trash can. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds afterwards. Use sanitizer, if you can find it, but soap and water is preferred.

Even if you haven’t coughed or sneezed, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, if you haven’t just washed them.

Disinfect - Don’t share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels or bedding with anyone. It is important to wash these items after you use them.

Countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables are among the “high-touch surfaces”. It is mandatory to wipe them often with a household cleanser or 0.1% bleach. Wipe down surfaces that may be contaminated by bodily fluids, including blood and stool.

Monitoring - Keep an eye on your health and call a doctor if you develop symptoms or if they deteriorate. Ensure that you inform the medical staff that you are at risk of coronavirus.

Household members – Your housemates can go to work or school, and can help stock up on groceries, pick up prescriptions, take care of the quarantined and keep the place clean.

They must wipe down doorknobs and countertops, do laundry and wash their hands frequently. Family members and other household members should monitor the patient’s symptoms and call a doctor if they see any worsening.

When around a symptomatic patient, household members must wear a face mask, as well as gloves if they have contact with his or her bodily fluids. These should be thrown away immediately, and should never be reused.

Elderly members of the household and those with chronic medical conditions are at risk of severe complications, even death, if they contract the virus. Pregnant women may also be at particular risk, although the data aren’t very clear.

In China, 7080% of the transmission occurred within family clusters. Local governments therefore had to set up isolation wards with thousands of beds in gymnasiums and stadiums to care for people who lived alone or were at risk of infecting their families.

Family members need to monitor their own health, and call a doctor if they develop a cough, fever or shortness of breath.

Need of the day

Government, work insurance and mediclaim must pay for self-quarantine. Not everyone can work remotely. A two-week absence from work can take an enormous financial toll. [Source- New York Times]

Dr KK Aggarwal,

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA