What education should be provided to an adult COVID-19 patient with no severe pre-existing conditions regarding symptom management and location-specific guidelines?

COVID-19 Patient Education

Patients with COVID-19 should be educated on symptom management at home, warning signs requiring urgent medical attention, and when to contact healthcare services if symptoms worsen. 1

Understanding Your Symptoms

COVID-19 commonly presents with:

• Fever (present in 92.8% of patients), typically appearing around 5 days after exposure 1, 2
• Cough (69.8% of patients), usually dry in nature 1, 2
• Loss of taste or smell (88.8% and 85.6% respectively) - these are strong predictors of COVID-19 2
• Fatigue (38.5% of patients) 2
• Shortness of breath - this is associated with more severe disease and requires immediate attention 2

Home Management Strategies

Managing Fever

• Drink fluids regularly to avoid dehydration, but no more than 2 liters per day 1
• Take paracetamol (acetaminophen) for fever and associated symptoms - continue only while symptoms persist 1
• Paracetamol is preferred over NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) until more evidence is available 1
• Do not take antipyretics solely to reduce body temperature 1

Managing Cough

• Avoid lying flat on your back as this makes coughing less effective 1
• Try honey (for patients over 1 year old) as a simple first measure 1
• If cough becomes severely distressing, contact your healthcare provider about short-term use of codeine-based medications 1

Managing Breathlessness

If you experience shortness of breath, use these techniques:

• Sit upright - this increases lung capacity and reduces airway obstruction 1
• Lean forward with arms bracing on a chair or your knees - this improves breathing capacity 1
• Practice pursed-lip breathing: inhale through your nose for several seconds with mouth closed, then exhale slowly through pursed lips for 4-6 seconds 1
• Relax and drop your shoulders to reduce the hunched posture that comes with anxiety 1

Critical Warning Signs - Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Contact emergency services or go to the emergency department immediately if you develop: 1

• Respiratory rate ≥30 breaths per minute 2
• Oxygen saturation ≤93% (if you have a home pulse oximeter) 2
• Severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 2
• Chest pain or pressure 2
• Confusion or inability to stay awake 1
• Bluish lips or face 3

Isolation and Infection Control

• Isolate immediately at home to prevent transmission to others 2
• Practice strict hand hygiene - this is fundamental to prevent contamination 3
• Avoid contact with household members when possible, especially those at high risk 3
• Wear a mask when around others in your household 3

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Contact your doctor or healthcare service (such as NHS 111 online in the UK) if: 1

• Your symptoms worsen after initial improvement 2
• Fever persists for more than 5 days 1
• You develop new symptoms, particularly shortness of breath or chest pain 2
• You have concerns about your condition 1

High-Risk Considerations

You are at higher risk for severe disease if you: 2

• Are over 65 years old 2
• Have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, COPD, or hypertension 2
• Have a weakened immune system 1
• Have frailty or multiple comorbidities 1

If you fall into these categories, maintain closer monitoring and have a lower threshold for seeking medical attention. 1

Follow-Up and Monitoring

• Monitor your symptoms daily for any worsening or new developments 2
• Re-evaluation within 24-48 hours may be necessary if symptoms persist or worsen 2
• Keep a record of your temperature and symptoms 3
• Recovery typically takes 6-8 weeks from symptom onset 1

Important Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not ignore isolated gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) - these can occur without respiratory symptoms and may precede typical COVID-19 symptoms 2
• Do not assume you're improving just because fever resolves - deterioration can occur rapidly, particularly around days 7-12 of illness 1
• Elderly patients may develop low oxygen levels without feeling short of breath - if available, use a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation 1

Treatment Escalation Planning

Be aware that COVID-19 can deteriorate rapidly - have a plan in place for urgent hospital admission if needed 1

If you have pre-existing serious medical conditions, discuss advance care preferences with your healthcare provider early in your illness course 1