Conditions & Management

Supportive Care

"Supportive care" refers to treatments or interventions aimed at managing symptoms, maintaining comfort, and supporting the body’s natural recovery process without directly targeting the cause of the illness. It is used when the primary treatment addresses the root cause, but additional care is needed for recovery.

Key Components of Supportive Care:

• Hydration: Ensuring the patient stays well-hydrated, often with intravenous (IV) fluids if oral intake is not sufficient.
• Pain Management: Using analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) to control pain and discomfort.
• Fever Management: Medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever.
• Oxygen Therapy: Providing supplemental oxygen if the patient has respiratory distress.
• Nutritional Support: Ensuring adequate nutrition, possibly with special diets or feeding support if necessary.
• Monitoring and Observation: Regular checks of vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen levels) to detect any deterioration.
• Rest: Encouraging rest to support the body’s immune response.
• Managing Complications: Addressing complications such as dehydration, seizures, or delirium as they arise.

In conditions such as viral infections, where antiviral medications like Acyclovir (Zovirax) or Valacyclovir (Valtrex) are used, supportive care helps manage symptoms while the body fights the infection. It may include:

• Providing fluids if the patient is dehydrated.
• Giving pain relief for headaches or muscle aches.
• Monitoring for complications like seizures or altered mental status.