Hot showers can be helpful for people with COVID-19. The steam from the shower can help clear the nasal passages and make it easier to breathe. The hot water can also help soothe muscle aches and pains. It is important to stay hydrated when you have COVID-19, so drink plenty of fluids before and after your shower.
Fever or chills
One study found that taking a hot bath or shower was associated with a reduction in body temperature and an improvement in overall symptoms in people with fevers due to a range of viral illnesses, including influenza. The study also found that hot showers were more effective than lukewarm baths in reducing body temperature.
Another study looked at the use of cold baths for the treatment of fevers caused by various infectious diseases. The study found that cold baths were generally ineffective at reducing body temperature, and could even lead to an increase in body temperature in some cases. However, the study did not specifically look at the use of hot showers for treating feverish illnesses.
So while there is some evidence to suggest that hot showers may be helpful in treating fever or chills associated with COVID-19, it is by no means conclusive. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether they think taking a hot shower is worth trying as a way of relieving their symptoms.
Cough
Some experts believe that the steam from a hot shower can help to break up congestion and make it easier to expel mucus from the lungs. Additionally, the heat from a hot shower may also help to soothe sore muscles and ease overall discomfort. Ultimately, it is important to consult with a medical professional if you are experiencing any cough symptoms associated with COVID-19 in order to determine the best course of treatment.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
While the virus has caused severe respiratory illness in some people, the vast majority of people who get COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and will recover without needing hospitalization. However, some people will develop more severe illness, including pneumonia, and may require hospitalization or even mechanical ventilation.
For most people, the primary symptom of COVID-19 is a fever, which can range from mild to very high. Other common symptoms include coughing (usually dry), fatigue, headache, muscle pain and sore throat. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. While these are all common symptoms of viral respiratory infections like the flu, it’s important to remember that not everyone who gets COVID-19 will have all of these symptoms. In fact, some people may not have any symptoms at all but can still spread the virus to others through close contact (within about 6 feet).
One of the key ways to determine if someone has COVID-19 is by taking into account their travel history and whether they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. However, because many people with mild disease don’t seek out medical care or testing (and therefore aren’t counted in official statistics), it’s difficult to know exactly how many people have been infected overall.
Based on what we do know about other similar viruses like SARS-CoV (the cause of SARS), experts believe that the true number of cases is likely much higher than what has been reported so far.
Severe difficulty breathing – pneumonia
While most cases of COVID-19 are mild and resolve on their own without requiring treatment, some patients do develop more severe illness that can lead to difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. This occurs when the infection progresses and causes inflammation in your lungs known as pneumonia.
Pneumonia can make it hard for your lungs to take in enough oxygen which then leads to low oxygen levels in your blood (known as hypoxia). In extreme cases this could progress to full respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation via a machine called a ventilator in order for you to breathe properly. Treatment for pneumonia typically involves antibiotics as well as rest and supportive care such as supplemental oxygen therapy if needed.
Fatigue
Some people may experience fatigue for weeks or even months after recovering from the illness. This post-viral fatigue can be debilitating and make it difficult to return to normal activities. If you are experiencing post-viral fatigue, it is important to get plenty of rest and exercise regularly to help your body recover. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine as these can make fatigue worse. If your fatigue persists for more than a few weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out other potential causes.
Headache
When you have a headache, blood vessels in your head constrict. This can cause pain and pressure. Taking a hot shower can help to dilate these vessels and reduce the pain. However, the heat can also increase congestion and inflammation, which can lead to further headaches down the line.
If you do decide to take a hot shower to help with your current headache, be sure not to stay in for too long. The steam from the water can actually aggravate your symptoms and make them worse. Limit yourself to 10 minutes or less and make sure the room is well-ventilated so that you don’t end up feeling dizzy or nauseous from the heat.
If headaches are something you deal with on a regular basis, there are other things you can do to help prevent them besides taking showers. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Also, limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol as these substances can trigger headaches in some people. Getting regular exercise and managing stress levels can also be helpful in preventing future episodes.
New loss of taste or smell
The virus is able to cause loss of taste and smell in some patients. This symptom, which has only been reported in a small minority of cases thus far, is nonetheless extremely worrying as it could potentially be an indicator of more severe illness.
While loss of taste and smell alone is not necessarily indicative of anything serious, it is nonetheless important for anyone who experiences these symptoms to seek medical attention immediately as they could be an early warning sign of something more serious going on.
The best way to protect yourself from becoming infected is to practice good hygiene and avoid contact with sick people where possible. However, given how rapidly this virus is spreading, it seems likely that we will all need to start taking extra precautions in order to protect ourselves.
Sore throat
If you have a sore throat, one of the best things you can do is take a hot shower. The steam will help to loosen congestion and make it easier to breathe. It can also help to soothe a sore throat. Gargle with warm salt water, this will help to reduce swelling and pain. You can also drink plenty of fluids and eat soothing foods like soup or apple sauce. If your sore throat is severe, you may want to see your doctor for medication.