— By Dr KK Aggarwal
319: Most COVID-19 Cooperative Patients Can Be Managed Remotely. 80% need of healthcare providers and PPEs can be reduced
1. Every family must buy SPO2 monitor
2. Label house as COVID positive so that the colony makes sure the patient does not violate the quarantine terms and conditions
3. Self-quarantine at home will reduce need of health care workers and PPE
4. Fall of SPO2 > 4% at rest or on exertion must be notified
5. Wear surgical masks at home and take medicines as prescribed on teleconsultation
BMJ Yes: Most patients with COVID-19 infection can be managed by phone or video chat.
Telephone management is adequate for patients with mild symptoms and uncomplicated infections. Video may be appropriate for sicker patients, those with comorbidities, those whose social circumstances have a bearing on the illness, and those who are very anxious. Patients who are hard of hearing may prefer video to telephone.
All patients need SPO2 monitor given that respiratory function can deteriorate quickly, particularly during the second week of infection.
Fever in patients with COVID-10 can exceed 38 C and last for longer than five days, although as many as half of infected patients have no fever at presentation.
Symptoms that are not indicative of COVID-19 infection include nasal congestion and allergy-like symptoms.
Patients with seasonal flu are more likely to have body aches, while shortness of breath is a hallmark of COVID-19. Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present, and infected patients also report loss of appetite and anosmia.
Urgent assessment in person or on video is needed for patients with “severe breathlessness or difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, blue lips or face, and a story suggestive of shock (such as cold and clammy with mottled skin, new confusion, becoming difficult to rouse, or significantly reduced urine output).
It is possible, however, to measure the respiratory rate via a good video connection. More generally, video may allow a more detailed assessment and prevent the need for an in-person visit. [BMJ]
Source WebMd
320: How to use 0.1% bleach solution
You can use household bleach solutions to effectively kill coronavirus. Ensure it’s safe to use on the surface you’re treating and follow instructions on the label. Keep the surface wet for several minutes and thoroughly dry it to ensure the germs are killed.
321: Should paper masks be reused/washed and if so, how often?
For proper use, paper masks should not be reused or washed. Every time you take a mask off or touch it, you could be contaminating it. When you breathe with a mask on, the moisture that you exhale gets trapped in the mask. Moisture is the perfect environment for the novel coronavirus and other germs to grow. For COVID-19, the CDC now recommends wearing a mask o if you will be in a crowded area to protect yourself and others. A mask should never be a replacement for keeping a safe distance — at least 6 feet — from others and washing hands frequently.
322: Can you get coronavirus from touching cash?
Yes. You could be exposed to the COVID-19 virus, if you handle money contaminated by someone who is infectious. Use the same precautions with cash as you would touching other objects or surfaces in public areas. After contact with money, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Be sure not to touch your face or eat food without clean hands.
323: Is it safe to take aspirin to treat coronavirus symptoms?
Yes. For adults, it’s safe to take aspirin for pain or fever from COVID-19. Due to initial concern that anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin may worsen coronavirus symptoms, the World Health Organization initially recommended against the use of these anti-inflammatory drugs. However, they reversed that recommendation several days later and no longer recommend against ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin due to the risk of it causing a life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.
324: How does coronavirus affect someone with HIV?
We know that having a weak immune system puts you at a higher risk of infection and severe illness. However, can antiviral treatments for HIV help protect you against coronavirus?
It would seem to make sense that medications used to treat HIV would have some effect because some work similarly to treatments currently being tested/used for coronavirus.
When used, many are done under what is called “compassionate use.” They are being used only in seriously ill COVID-19 patients. These meds target mechanisms around RNA, or the genetic make-up of the viruses including coronavirus.
HIV antiviral drugs are being tested in severe COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, so far, they appear to have no benefit in reducing the amount SARS CoV-2 found in throat swabs or improve the time to recovery in severe COVID -19 cases.
325: Is it safe to take naproxen to treat coronavirus symptoms?
Yes: It’s safe to take naproxen for pain or fever from COVID-19. Due to initial concern that anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen may worsen coronavirus symptoms, the World Health Organization initially recommended against their use. However, they reversed that recommendation several days later and no longer recommend against these anti-inflammatory drugs.
326: Are kids less likely to get coronavirus?
No one is safe from infection. Children get sick less frequently when they get infected with COVID-19. But everyone is at risk and they can get respiratory illnesses related to coronavirus. In general, kids have a lower likelihood of having severe disease and be hospitalized than adults, but they can get infected and sick. There is no “zero risk of infection.” Like everyone else, kids can get infected with the virus or transmit it to someone else that can get sick.
Kids are also less likely to sit still when they have mild symptoms. That puts everyone around them at risk for infection.
There is a subpopulation of kids that are at higher risk for getting sick. Those that have severe underlying lung or immunocompromised conditions are more susceptible to becoming ill.
327: Is my mail safe from coronavirus?
Coronaviruses, research shows the time they can live on paper varies by strain. Some can live only for a few minutes while others may live up to 5 days. The novel coronavirus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets after someone coughs or sneezes. It’s possible to spread from contaminated surfaces as well. After opening your mail and throwing away the envelopes, thoroughly wash your hands to be on the safe side.
328: Why do people with diabetes do worse with COVID-19 Infection?
A recent report hypothesizes that folks with heart disease or diabetes may be at a high risk for severe coronavirus infection because they use ACE inhibitors. The researchers rationalized that using these meds might altere and enhance attachment of SARs CoV-2 to lung tissue, making users more susceptible to severe infection.
There’s no evidence in human or animal studies that show these medications enhance attachment of the virus to ACE 2 receptors.
The American Heart Association says there is no evidence, says it’s a hypothesis and do not stop taking your ACEi, especially without talking to your doctor first.
329: Can my pet get the coronavirus?
A recent report from China shows that 2 dogs have been infected with coronavirus. Neither animal has had symptoms. Both are domestic animals of an owner who had COVID-19. The CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.
There’s no evidence that pets can be a source of COVID-19 infection to humans or that the virus causes disease in dogs. However, pet owners should always practice good hygiene practices and should not abandon their pets out of fear.
330: How much more at risk am I for coronavirus infection if I smoke or am a reformed smoker?
People who smoke or vape have a higher risk of infection and serious complications with COVID-19. Tobacco and marijuana can damage the lungs and the immune system, making people more vulnerable to the virus’s attack on the lungs. Stopping smoking or vaping and reducing second hand exposure are important prevention tools and will lesson your risk of symptoms if you contract coronavirus
331: Will this virus also mutate
Some viruses frequently mutate, meaning they change their genetic makeup to help them better survive. Coronavirus does not seem to be one of those viruses. From what we know, mutation of the virus seems to be uncommon. That’s important for two reasons.
First, if a virus mutates, it may become resistant to certain medications, making it more difficult to treat. In addition, frequent mutations also make it more difficult to create a vaccine. The fact that coronavirus doesn’t seem to mutate frequently will make it easier to find a lasting treatment and vaccine.
332: What are signs of coronavirus in toddlers?
Kids and toddlers may have runny noses, coughs and fevers. They also may have stomach symptoms such as diarrhea. To prevent COVID-19 in kids, it’s really important that children wash their hands and observe social distancing, even with their friend next door. The coronavirus is very contagious and because people can carry it and not have symptoms, it’s best to maintain a social distance, especially with those who could get sick more easily such as grandparents too.
((The writer is President, CMAAO, HCFI and Past national President IMA))
