Thread by @danielgoyal

Covid hospital admissions rising in the over 60s.

Some tips if you do get Covid.

Job 1: Do NOT delay seeking medical care if you are concerned or there are worrying signs.

BE prepared!
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If you don't have them already, get:

1. A thermometer
2. A Pulse Oximeter*

*this is a small device you place over your finger and it measures how much oxygen is in your blood. It costs about £30 and can be shared and reused.

Secondly, find out if you are in a 'high risk group'. There are new treatments available including antibodies and antivirals that if taken within 5 days can make a HUGE difference.

More info here:
nhs.uk/conditions/cor…

Thirdly, bear in mind the majority of Covid-19 resolves without event. Typical symptoms are similar to the cold or flu and tend to start improving after two or three days. The vast majority of cases, including the extremely vulnerable and older patients resolve without event.

But, Covid can progress. Some more details below, but this one golden rule applies always when considering getting help:

USE THE SAME JUDGEMENT AS YOU WOULD BEFORE THE PANDEMIC!

Ask yourself...would I call the doctor or '111' if there wasn't a pandemic? If yes, call. If no..

...look out for worrying symptoms.

We recently published a review of this (see pinned tweet). In short:

Certain symptoms require urgent clinical contact:
➡️Shortness of breath
➡️Confusion
➡️Persistent, unremitting fever

Also, be wary of fatigue! Feeling a bit washed out is quite normal, but if you are getting really tired doing basic things (e.g. going to the toilet, going upstairs), then make contact with healthcare provider.

Be aware of silent hypoxia! This is when you don't feel short of breath, but have low oxygen. Generally you will feel rough, fatigued, maybe a bit confused or not thinking clearly. This requires urgent medical attention!!!

(see video at the end).

This is the reason we are all encouraging the use of Pulse Oximeters now. They are life saving pieces of kit!

You may be eligible for an NHS one if you have symptomatic Covid and are over 65 yrs or have a high risk condition. Even if you have your own:

england.nhs.uk/nhs-at-home/co…

Here is an animation about some of the warning signs that Covid has become more serious.

Key points:
1. Any problems breathing at all = urgent help!
2. Oxygen levels < 95% = urgent help!
3. Worried = seek help!

https://twitter.com/i/status/1475607948483346437

Some people think they are doing the hospital a favour by staying away. That other people could benefit from the treatment more. Or we are too busy and you need to rough it out at home. This is WRONG.

If you are trying to save the NHS resources, then SEEK help earlier!!!...

It is much much easier for us to treat you and get you home quickly if you get help earlier!

Remember, many GP practices will follow-up older and higher risk patients anyway. And most HIC countries follow-up all at risk patients.

It is the opposite of a burden!

TREAT EARLY!

@NHSMillion @theAliceRoberts @EricTopol @trishgreenhalgh @SusanMichie @chrischirp @dgurdasani1 @Kit_Yates_Maths @jburnmurdoch @JeremyFarrar @EmergMedDr @AlisonGeorge10 @HelenRSalisbury @doctor_oxford @DeborahMeaden @MichaelRosenYes @mvankerkhove @MarinaPurkiss @daraobriain

A UK GP got in touch to inform me of a FREE app that helps you track you and your family members oxygen levels (and other obs) - even from a distance.

Signed up the family.

Check it out:
"Bubble Medical"
@BeyNaveed

apps.apple.com/gb/app/bubble-…

Our paper on detecting severe Covid early.

https://twitter.com/danielgoyal/status/1457831640059744259?s=20&t=9Hm0OEvuAmCotbQ41n6VCQ