Latest guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases in Vietnam? What are the home treatment drugs for COVID-19?
Latest guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases who are children?
(1) Children aged under 5:
According to the Guidelines issued together with Decision No. 604/QD-BYT in 2022, the guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases who are children aged under 5 are as follows:
Monitor mental signs, skin color, mucous membranes and digestive disorders, breastfeed/eating; measure body temperature at least 2 times per day; count breathing rate and pulse, measure SpO2 (if a pulse oximeter is available).
Abnormal signs: when detecting any one of the following signs, immediately notify home management facilities for COVID-19 cases including health stations of communes/wards; or mobile health stations, emergency transportation centers, etc. for timely health examination, emergency treatment and hospitalization or take children with COVID-19 to health facilities for health examination and treatment.
(1) Mental signs: the children are fussy, tired, refuse to play, do not take notices or convulse.
(2) Continuous fever >39◦C. It is difficult to lower body temperature by using antipyretic + applying warm compress/wiping. The fever does not improve after 48 hours.
(3) Abnormal rapid breathing rate:
- Children under 2 months old: ≥ 60 times/minute;
- Children from 2 months old to under 12 months old: ≥ 50 times per minute;
- Children from 1 to under 5 years old: ≥ 40 times per minute;
(4) Children with abnormal breathing: shortness of breath, nose flaring, intercostal retractions, abdominal external oblique muscles, etc.
(5) SpO2 < 96% (if if a pulse oximeter is available)
(6) Cyanosis
(7) Signs of dehydration: dry lips, sunken eyes, thirst, little or no urination, etc.
(8) Nausea
(9) Drinking, eating and breast refusal
(10) Children with underlying conditions: Dengue fever; Hand, foot and, mouth disease, etc.
(11) Other abnormal symptoms that are serious.
(2) Children aged from 5 to 16
According to the Guidelines issued together with Decision No. 604/QD-BYT in 2022, the guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases who are children aged from 5 to 16 are as follows:
Monitor mental signs, breathing rate, pulse, skin color, mucous membranes, eating, cough, stomachache, chest pain, diarrhea, loss of smell and hearing; measure SpO2 (if a pulse oximeter is available) and body temperature at least 2 times/day.
Abnormal signs: Detect any one of the following signs, must immediately notify facilities for home management of COVID-19 cases including health stations of communes/wards; or mobile health stations, emergency transportation centers, etc. for timely health examination, emergency treatment and hospitalization or take children with COVID-19 to health facilities for health examination and treatment.
(1) Rapid breathing rate: children from 5 to under 12 years old: ≥ 30 times/minute; children above 12 years old: ≥ 20 times/minute
(2) Abnormal breathing: intercostal retractions, abdominal external oblique muscles, etc.
(3) SpO2 < 96% (if if a pulse oximeter is available)
(4) Shortness of breath
(5) Continuous cough
(6) Chest pain
(7) Drinking/eating refusal
(8) Nausea
(9) Diarrhea
(10) Withdrawal from interaction
(11) High fever that does not go down or improve after 48 hours
(12) Other abnormal symptoms that are serious.
Latest guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases in Vietnam? What are the home treatment drugs for COVID-19?
Latest guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases who are adults?
According to the Guidelines issued together with Decision No. 604/QD-BYT in 2022, the guidelines on monitoring of health at home applicable to Covid-19 cases who are adults (above 16 years old) are as follows:
Monitor signs:
- Indicators: breathing rate, pulse, temperature, SpO2 and blood pressure (if any).
- Symptoms: fatigue, cough, coughing up sputum, chills/splits, conjunctivitis (red eyes), loss of taste or smell, diarrhea (loose stools); coughing up blood, shortness of breath, persistent chest pain, lethargy; other symptoms such as sore throat, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches, etc.
- Abnormal signs:
Detect any one of the following signs, must immediately notify facilities for management of COVID-19 cases at home or accommodation including health stations of communes/wards; or mobile health stations, emergency transportation centers, etc. for timely health examination, emergency treatment and hospitalization or take children with COVID-19 to health facilities for health examination and treatment.
(1) Shortness of breath
(2) Breathing rate ≥ 20 times/minute
(3) SpO2 ≤ 96%.
(4) Rapid pulse >120 beats/minute or 50 beats/minute.
(5) Low blood pressure: systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure < 60 mmHg (if measurable).
(6) Frequent chest pain, feeling of tightness in the chest and the pain increasing when taking a deep breath.
(7) Pale lips, fingernails, toenails, skin, cold fingers and toes.
(8) Change of consciousness: dementia, hypersomnia, stupor, fatigue/exhaustion, convulsion.
(9) Unavailability to eat or drink due to vomiting.
(10) Other abnormal symptoms that are serious of COVID-19 cases.
How does the Ministry of Health of Vietnam guide home treatment drugs for COVID-19?
According to the Guidelines issued together with Decision No. 604/QD-BYT in 2022, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam guides home treatment drugs as follows:
(1) Take Antipyretic when having temperature ≥ 38,50C or severe headache:
- Adults: take paracetamol, 01 pill of 500mg or 10-15 mg/kg /time with an interval of 4-6 hours. Note: The total dose should not exceed 4g (4000mg)/day.
- Children: take paracetamol at a dose of 10-15 mg/kg/time (oral or rectal), at least 4-6 hours if repeated (or use dose under age if the child's weight is not known, details in Appendix No. 02); Note: the total dose should not exceed 60 mg/kg/day.
(2) Electrolyte balancing solution for dehydration (due to high fever, diarrhea, fatigue): COVID-19 cases are encouraged to drink plenty of water, may use juice or Oresol (mix and use in the right instructions). If the patient does not like Oresol, it can be replaced with cooled boiled water or juice. Do not use soft drink (not produced from fruits) to rehydrate;
(3) Increase nutrients, eat foods containing enough nutrients, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
(4) Take symptom treatment drugs if necessary:
- Severe cough: may take herbal medicine or stand-alone cough suppressant or cough suppressant combined with antihistamine, etc. The indications, contraindications and warnings while using the drugs must be noted.
- Nasal congestion, runny nose: use nasal spray, nasal drops with 0.9% sodium chloride solution.
- Diarrhea: take probiotics beneficial to the intestines, digestive enzymes.
Drugs for treatment of underlying conditions according to outpatient prescription: continues to take drugs under instructions.
- Other drugs: take prescription antiretroviral drugs, etc. according to current regulations.
Notes:
- Do not use antiviral drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. without any indication or prescription.
- Steam therapy is not recommended for children.
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