Interim clinical guideline for the management of patients with mild COVID-19 at home approved

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan has approved interim clinical guidelines for managing patients with mild coronavirus (COVID-19) at home.

The National Chamber of Innovative Health has developed guidelines based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Uzbekistan, from 5 July 2020, patients with mild form of the coronavirus COVID-19, in whom the disease proceeds without symptoms, are allowed to undergo treatment at home based on the recommendations of a doctor, in compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules and the necessary conditions for care.

The manual is intended for emergency doctors, general practitioners, infectious disease specialists, general practitioners, pediatricians, pulmonologists, ENT specialists, cardiologists, neuropathologists, rehabilitologists and nurses.

The asymptomatic form is determined if the patient has a positive SARS CoV-2 coronavirus test, but there are no complaints or clinical symptoms.

When signs of COVID-19 appear, the Ministry of Health advises to stay at home, warning employees at work and isolating themselves from other family members.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, general weakness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and muscle pain. Other symptoms include sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and a loss of smell or taste preceded by respiratory symptoms has also been reported.

Elderly people and people with weakened immune systems can experience the following: atypical course without fever, general weakness, decreased concentration of attention and physical activity, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and development of delirium. In children, fever and cough are less common.

According to the document, the patients should call local clinic and report the presence of symptoms. It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids, limit physical activity.

The document recommends that doctors treat patients with mild COVID-19 at home with symptomatic treatment:

antipyretics for fever and to relieve pain (eg, paracetamol, ibuprofen);

complex therapy of rhinitis and rhinopharyngitis (moisturizers, decongestants for the nasal cavity);

complex therapy of bronchitis (mucoactive, bronchodilators and other drugs);

An abundant warm drink to detoxify, moisturize the mucous membranes, facilitate the discharge of sputum and maintain water balance.

In the document, it was not recommended to prescribe antibiotics for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes in patients with mild COVID-19.

It was not recommended to prescribe antibiotics for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes in patients with mild COVID-19. The widespread use of antibiotics should not be allowed, since their use can lead to an increase in the level of bacterial resistance.

The manual also includes a patient reminder. The guideline notes that with a mild course, no special treatment measures for COVID-19 are applied.

The guideline emphasizes that now there are no drugs that are registered for the treatment of coronavirus. Also, in the guideline, it is recommended not to take other antipyretic drugs, except paracetamol, without a doctor's prescription.

When caring for patients with clinical manifestations of the mild virus, it is recommended that you isolate yourself in a separate, well-ventilated room. The most healthy family member without chronic diseases can look after patients.

The patient and family members who enter the room must wear a mask and observe hand hygiene. The patient needs to provide separate bedding and utensils.