Thoughts from your friendly neighborhood Pulmonologist about COVID-19
1. This is a serious issue.
2. Thoughtful planning rather than panicking is essential.
3. The main symptom is fever (usually high).
1. This is a serious issue.
2. Thoughtful planning rather than panicking is essential.
3. The main symptom is fever (usually high).
Right now, most places are testing people who come into the hospital with fever and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms (cough, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath).
4. Imaging such as X-ray or CT scans will show peripheral ground glass opacities (pneumonia in your peripheral lungs that look more viral than bacterial).
5. Lab work is showing leukopenia, lymphopenia (low white blood cell count and lymphocytes).
5. Lab work is showing leukopenia, lymphopenia (low white blood cell count and lymphocytes).
6. Silent hypoxia also may be a feature (feeling fine but low oxygen levels in the blood).
7. If you don’t have a fever at this time you probably won’t be tested.
7. If you don’t have a fever at this time you probably won’t be tested.
8. If you are found with the above symptoms and test positive for something like influenza (flu) or other respiratory tract infections (RSV, rhinovirus, etc.) you probably won’t be tested for COVID-19. This is because thus far in the studies we have coinfection rates are low.
9. There are people who probably shouldn’t be tested who are being tested and there are people who aren’t being tested who probably should be tested.
10. This is a disease that is affecting all age groups even young children.
10. This is a disease that is affecting all age groups even young children.
But most people who suffer from moderate to severe disease are the elderly with comorbid conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, etc). If you are a smoker, now is the time to quit.
11. You may have the infection and show no symptoms.
11. You may have the infection and show no symptoms.
12. You may spread the infection and not even know it.
13. We have cancelled/postponed 3 of our trips that we were supposed to take in the next few months (international and domestic). Try to stay in your home as much as possible and only travel if needed.
13. We have cancelled/postponed 3 of our trips that we were supposed to take in the next few months (international and domestic). Try to stay in your home as much as possible and only travel if needed.
14. Flatten the curve. It is not so much as to stop the spread of disease but to slow it down. Hospitals only have so much capacity especially ICU beds. Healthcare workers will need your help in managing this crisis.
We don’t want to get to a point where hospitals have no space and people who should be treated can’t be treated due to lack of equipment, supplies, staff and beds.
15. Young people, try not to visit your elderly parents/grandparents at this time.
15. Young people, try not to visit your elderly parents/grandparents at this time.
16. This will most likely pass, but it will take time. China and South Korea already have it under control.
17. Buying up all the toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the world is not the solution.
17. Buying up all the toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the world is not the solution.
18. When in doubt go to the Center of Disease control website and follow those instructions. Watch the news but listen to it carefully and base your decisions on facts from reputable sources. Call your doctor if you are feeling ill and want to know what to do.
19. Practice the best hygiene practices you can. Wash your hands regularly, use sanitizer when you don’t have that option, clean commonly touched surfaces (especially your phone), change your clothes and take a shower when you come home from work.
20. Be smart and proceed on the side of caution. Take care of yourself and others, especially if they fall ill. These are unknown times but together we will overcome.
#CoronaVirusUpdates #COVIDー19 #HumanityFirst
#CoronaVirusUpdates #COVIDー19 #HumanityFirst
