There are some ‘basic’ medical emergencies that occur every now and then; conditions or injuries that might not seem like a big deal at first, but if left untreated, they could spiral into something much more severe. When such emergencies happen, there’s a high chance the average person would panic, and try to find the fastest way to get to the hospital.

However, what happens if you can’t access medical help immediately due to one reason or the other? Here are some of these types of injuries/conditions and simple ways you can give first aid at home before receiving proper medical attention at a hospital.

Fever

This is a body temperature that is higher than the normal temperature of about 37°C. It usually indicates the presence of an infection.

  • For Kids : Remove excess clothes  and offer the child a lot of fluid (water or juice is just fine). Do not run cold baths and if you must bathe the child, do so with lukewarm water or with a wet clean cloth. Give the child the recommended dosage of  Paracetamol (i.e. follow the dosing instructions on the pack)
  • Adult:  Bathe with lukewarm water as well, drink a lot of fluid, rest and avoid any strenuous activity. You can also take the recommended dosage of Paracetamol and observe to see if there’s any change in your body temperature.

If symptom persists and fever is not breaking, kindly go to the hospital for emergency care.

Bleeding

Yes, there’s a lot blood but don’t panic! Relax, or get the bleeding person to calm down. Get a clean cloth and use it to apply pressure to the affected part. Follow the next steps depending of the cause of the bleeding.

  • Minor Cut: Clean with antiseptic, apply antiseptic cream or iodine and cover with a bandage.
  • Major Cut: Cover the affected part with bandage, sterile gauze or clean cloth and take to the bleeding person to the  hospital for urgent care.
  • Nosebleed: Sit down and lean forward, pinch the soft part of your nose for about 10-15 mins and breathe through your mouth. Don’t forget to lean forward all through. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to the hospital immediately.

You can also click ‘Tap for Emergency’ button on the Leadway Health App for assistance.

Diarrhea/Loose Watery Stool

Did you just say ‘ewww’? That’s right, this very messy condition can also make you very uncomfortable. Although, diarrhea often goes away on its own, here are a few home remedies you can try out to ease the discomfort.

  • Start Oral dehydration salt sachets, after 3 loose stools (it is more effective than plain water for rehydration)
  • If sachet is not available, prepare a solution with one liter of warm water, half-leveled teaspoon of salt and 6 levelled teaspoons of sugar. Drink as much as can be tolerated.
  • Avoid vegetables and high fibre food to reduce bowel movement
  • Continue fluid intake
  • Take Zinc tablet
  • If symptoms persist or vomiting starts, go to a hospital immediately.

You can also click ‘Tap for Emergency’ button on the Leadway Health App for assistance.

Burns

Burns of any kind can cause really bad damage to your skin, so it is very important that you carry out the appropriate first aid to minimize this.

Unfortunately, if the burn is severe, the patient cannot remain at home for treatment, he or she needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible. As a first aid measure, do this for any victim of burns or scalds.

  • Stop the cause of the burn, get to a safe area and remove all clothing or jewelry on the affected area.
  • Put burnt area under running water for at least 20 minutes
  • Do not apply apply any cold or  greasy substance on the area..and yes, not even pap. You can apply burns ointment if available.
  • Do not burst the blister
  • Keep the area clean and to reduce the pain you can take Paracetamol or Ibruprofen.

Accidental slips or falls

  • Mange light bruises as indicated with minor cut.
  • Apply a pack of ice (avoid heat) on the affected area
  • Wrap in bandage (optional)
  • Elevate affected part
  • Take Paracetamol to reduce the pain
  • If pain is severe or there is an obvious deformity, go to the hospital immediately

Accidental ingestion of chemicals

This happens more often that you think to both kids and adults alike. The first thing to do is not to panic.

  • Do not induce vomiting by retching or drinking palm oil.
  • Try to get the person to spit out any remaining poisonous substance from his/her mouth and stay as still and calm as possible.
  • If you can get activate charcoal and administer to the person and then go to a medical facility immediately.
  • Click the ‘Tap for emergency’ button on the Leadway Health Mobile app to get emergency care.

See below some over the counter medications you can keep handy

  • Tab Paracetamol or Syrup Paracetamol (Take this for fast relief from fever and body pains)
  • Antimalarial tablets- Arthemeter lumefantrine 80/480 for adults and 20/120 dispersible for children OR
  • Camoquine/artesunate combination (start this at home if you have fever, bitter oral taste, painful Try to get to hospital at the earliest possible time)
  • Tab Ibuprofen or syrup Ibuprofen (for fever, menstrual pains, If you have ulcer, avoid this drug)
  • Tab Zinc (Start it immediately if you have running stomach)
  • Oral re-hydration salt sachets (Start it immediately if you have running stomach, it is more effective than plain water for re-hydration)
  • Burns ointment.

Please note that these medications are not to be abused or used inappropriately. Also ensure that you follow the recommended dosage (usually displayed on the pack).

Remember, if you’re a Leadway Health Enrollee, you can always talk to a doctor over the phone with our ‘Instant Telemedicine’ service and also access our Emergency Response Service. Both services are available on our mobile app and can be accessed 24/7.

Stay safe, stay healthy.