In this time of uncertainty and health risks, we are in the constant grip of fear. It’s even more mentally and emotionally draining if you have an anxiety disorder. It’s easy to fall into a COVID-19 infection scare, especially if you’re all alone during quarantine. So if you think you do have symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, the steps below can help you handle the situation.

Although it can take up to 14 days, it can easily take only 5-6 days for the symptoms of COVID-19 to appear after getting infected. If you feel explicit symptoms such as coughing, high temperature, or difficulty in breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance:

DOH COVID-19 emergency hotlines:
02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555 for Smart subscribers

However, if you don’t have the symptoms but feel like you’re about to, take deep breaths and remember that if you have a strong immune system, your body can fight off the infection. After regaining control of your mental and emotional state, immediately do the following:

Here are ways to help manage your anxiety.

1. Distance Yourself and Monitor Your Body’s Condition

If you live alone, a self-quarantine in your home can be easily done. But if you live in a household with many family members, keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and your family members and wear a mask even inside your house. If possible, remain in your room. Avoid touching your face (particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth), and get plenty of sleep. In the meantime, try to contact friends, families, or acquaintances in the medical profession and ask for their advice and professional opinion regarding your condition.

2. Strengthen Your Immune System

During your self-quarantine, do everything to boost your immune system and help your body fight off the possible infection. Eat healthy meals, take vitamins, and get proper sleep. If your symptoms have passed after a few days, try to get tested in a licensed COVID-19 testing laboratory near you to make sure you’re infection free.

LIST OF LICENSED COVID-19 TESTING LABORATORY IN THE PHILIPPINES

3. Seek Medical Help

When a few days have passed and your condition is worsening instead of easing, seek medical attention right away.

The DOH COVID-19 emergency hotlines are 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555.

You can ask questions if you suspect you’re infected or request assistance. According to DOH, “the information collected from emergency calls is transmitted to the COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center and other relevant agencies for immediate facilitation and response.”

Wait for advice from COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center on how to proceed with your COVID-19 test to see if you are infected. These emergency hotlines are free 24/7 services.

What to do next when you turn out to be negative?

1. Seek Reassurance

Although you’re safe from the infection, the anxiety can still be eating you up. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Once again, talk to family or friends with medical background and look to them for reassurance of your condition. This can help a lot in stabilizing your mental state.

2. Look After Your Health and Be Alert

Stay at home as much as possible.
In situations when you need to go out, always wear a mask.
Avoid crowds and gatherings of 10 or more people.
Avoid all non-essential travels.
Keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol).
Avoid touching your face (particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth).
Get plenty of sleep — this helps support your immune system.

3. Monitor Your Body

Always have a thermometer ready so that you can monitor your body temperature whenever you need to. This can easily become compulsive, so do this in moderation.

4. Stay Informed

It’s better to know your enemy than to remain in fear and speculation. Monitor the progress of scientific responses to COVID-19 as well as what’s happening in your community. Misinformation is rampant online (especially in social media), so stick to trustworthy sources such as legitimate news publications or official notices coming from your local government. This can also become compulsive, so check the news in moderation. If you start to feel overwhelmed, step away from the media and social media.

5. Stay Connected

If you have companions in this pandemic, then that’s a great form of support. But if you are by yourself, make an effort to connect with friends and family through calls and social media. Different people react to isolation in different ways, and not all of them are healthy reactions. Keep a small circle of people you trust and communicate with them regularly — or whenever you need support from another human being. As someone who has anxiety and has bouts of infection scare, I’m constantly paranoid to the point where I imagine my own mortality. But knowing I have people I can turn to in my lowest point helps me to keep going. You will be okay too.

References:

DOH Launches COVID-19 Hotlines 1555, 02-894-COVID

List of Licensed COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines

Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear, and Worry