CMAAO
CORONA FACTS and MYTH BUSTER 35
Dr K K Aggarwal
President Confederation of Medical
Associations of Asia and Oceania
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?
ANSWER
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?
ANSWER
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?
Ccoronaviruses,
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 mutantes, 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.
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