The omicron virus is rampant and you might hear every other person around you being affected with it. Most of us have taken both the vaccinations, but then too it is evident that several are getting affected with the virus. What might seem as just a runny nose or simple sore throat might turn out to be a positive covid test result.
What should be done if the result is positive?
- Continue to remain isolated.
- The room should be well ventilated, keep the windows open especially during the day time so that you allow your body to get the sunlight for Vitamin D.
- Keep a log of your reading of the oximeter (approx.do it 4 times a day). It shouldn’t drop below 94.
- Be alert on the breathing pattern. Just in case you feel breathless or have difficulty in breathing please inform your family member or your doctor.
- Keep the temperature in check to see that it’s normal. Keep a log of this along with the oxygen testing.
- To release the chest congestion keep taking regular steam and gargling with salt water.
Nutrition tips for the days of isolation for a quick recovery:
- Turmeric is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. The viral infection causes inflammation. Having turmeric which is high in curcumin (7%) is a good idea. This is not the usual turmeric that you use in cooking but looks dark yellow in color and has better anti-inflammatory properties. It would be a good idea to start your day with ghee 1 tsp with turmeric powder added. Another good way to consume turmeric is boiling turmeric powder with milk and drinking this in the day. Honey and turmeric is yet another way you can have it as honey has healing properties too. Be sure that the source of honey and turmeric is organic and natural.
- Hot soups in the day– It’s best to avoid raw salads or any other cold foods at the moment, but in place of that you can have soups made with vegetables. You could have mixed vegetable soup with all the seasonal vegetables added. (Recipe: https://youtu.be/cOIGU0tAJmM). A dal soup is also a good idea (Recipe: https://youtu.be/muH0jtSytCE) and so is a bone broth which will help in a quick healing.
(Recipe: https://youtu.be/GUJVtC1SvmQ)
Raw citrus fruits could be eaten only if you feel that the throat is not too itchy or else having a fresh amla juice or lemon juice with hot water is best to getting the vitamin C required without causing any irritation.
If you do not have time to make the soups you could choose to eat boil the vegetables and eat along with meals or then eat an extra portion of the prepared sabji in your lunch and dinner.
- Make it a point to have protein in every meal – to fight a viral infection your body needs to have a good immune system.Here are a few examples for breakfast
(a) in place of upma or poha with tea make it a point to have it with a cup of milk with haldi or then nuts like almonds and walnuts.
(b) Eggs are a complete source of protein which you can combine with paratha or toast.
(c) Methi or palak or even stuffed parathas with curds ( at room temperature) or with ghee and seeds chutney
(d) Idli or dosa with sambhar. Add vegetables in the sambhar like pumpkin or drumsticks
(e) Dal chilas or mixed dal dosas
For lunch and dinner make it by the healthy plate method. Half of your plate should be made with a vegetable group (like the sabjis, gravies and soup of course), a protein portion like dal, sprouts, paneer or curds and a carbs portion like chapati, bhakri, rice. Do not forget to include ghee in the diet
Snack time can be a moong khakara , handful of nuts, makhanas, sprouts , dal dosa or just light roasted chana and peanuts.
- Include healing herbs-and spices. Our Indian remedies work wonders for cold and cough so you can make the most of it. Tulsi (holy basil) , cloves, cinnamon , black pepper , ginger have antimicrobial properties and could be included as water infused with the spices or then prepared as herbal tea. (Recipe: https://youtu.be/zL1BP7MetrA)
- Keep sipping water – Water is very important to hydrate and helps in a good recovery. Make sure you have lukewarm to hot water in the day which will help you to heal better and also recover from the cold and cough.
After 7 days you could get a test done for the negative antigen and be assured of having a safe recovery.
