Here’s What You Should Do If You Have COVID-19?
As of today, there are more than 2.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with a fatality ratio of 7% (192,982/2,745,677). Please take note that the ratio might be lower as a large number of people might not have any symptoms, not tested and recovered.
Without a proper test, it’s difficult to know whether these symptoms indicate COVID-19 or something else.
Nonetheless, the methods of treating them are the same.
Fever symptoms are important to keep an eye on.
“A fever can be dangerous, especially when it reaches certain temperatures or if it continues for a prolonged period of time,” Dr. Joshua Mansour, an oncologist at City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles, told Healthline. “A very high fever or a low fever causing discomfort should be treated.”
Mansour said treatment options include cooling blankets or ice packs, along with over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, which is sold under the brand name Tylenol.
There is no difference between acetaminophen and paracetamol. They are two generic names for a chemical substance known as para-acetylaminophenol. All are better known by its trade name (at least in the U.S.) of Tylenol.
The age-old advice of drinking fluids to avoid dehydration also applies.
For other symptoms, there’s no shortcut to getting past the illness — just steps that can be taken to lessen its severity and duration.
“There is no specific therapy for this viral, so there are no specific steps aside from general common sense things like keeping hydrated, sleeping well, eating well, and staying active,” said Goldstein. “But there are no specific therapies that have an impact.”
That said, major risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes can be modified or controlled and treated. If you have high blood pressure, a high fever will increase the blood pressure further. What does it mean? Your risk of heart attack and stroke will increase.
Do take note that the Brazilian study (a preprint) used chloroquine instead of hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine, which has been around since 1955, is similar to chloroquine but less toxic.
Disclaimer:
COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov
Get the latest research from NIH: https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus.
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| COVID-19 Dashboard - April 25, 2020 |
While more serious symptoms should prompt a hospital visit, those with non-life-threatening symptoms are being advised to stay home and avoid overtaxing an already strained medical system.
But how does one draw the line between serious and non-serious symptoms? Why the disease affects some very hard and others not? What are the best practices for you and the doctors? Is there a shortcut to get over COVID-19?
But how does one draw the line between serious and non-serious symptoms? Why the disease affects some very hard and others not? What are the best practices for you and the doctors? Is there a shortcut to get over COVID-19?
Are You at Risk?
We’ve all been hearing that the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions (JAMA) are more likely to get hit the hardest by COVID-19. In fact, a research study was just published out of New York that shows that in a large hospital system, here’s what we know about COVID-19 patients that needed hospital care (JAMA):
- The average age was 63 with half of this group being age 52-75
- They were 60% male and 40% female
- 57% had high blood pressure
- 42% were obese
- 34% had diabetes
How to deal with COVID-19 symptoms?
As noted, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are sore throat, coughing, fever, and shortness of breath.Without a proper test, it’s difficult to know whether these symptoms indicate COVID-19 or something else.
Nonetheless, the methods of treating them are the same.
Fever symptoms are important to keep an eye on.
“A fever can be dangerous, especially when it reaches certain temperatures or if it continues for a prolonged period of time,” Dr. Joshua Mansour, an oncologist at City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles, told Healthline. “A very high fever or a low fever causing discomfort should be treated.”
Mansour said treatment options include cooling blankets or ice packs, along with over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, which is sold under the brand name Tylenol.
There is no difference between acetaminophen and paracetamol. They are two generic names for a chemical substance known as para-acetylaminophenol. All are better known by its trade name (at least in the U.S.) of Tylenol.
The age-old advice of drinking fluids to avoid dehydration also applies.
For other symptoms, there’s no shortcut to getting past the illness — just steps that can be taken to lessen its severity and duration.
“There is no specific therapy for this viral, so there are no specific steps aside from general common sense things like keeping hydrated, sleeping well, eating well, and staying active,” said Goldstein. “But there are no specific therapies that have an impact.”
That said, major risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes can be modified or controlled and treated. If you have high blood pressure, a high fever will increase the blood pressure further. What does it mean? Your risk of heart attack and stroke will increase.
Some sources online have suggested hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, Vitamin C, D and Zinc as out-patient treatment. Do they work against COVID-19?
We have covered those topics and provided the evidence before:
- Basic Guide on Your Immune System and Immune Boosting Tips during this Coronavirus Pandemic (Updated)
- 12 Best Supplements to Boost Your Immune System during this Coronavirus Pandemic
- 10 leading coronavirus treatments already being tested in Coronavirus patients, and the major trials now underway to see if they work
Should You Take Hydroxycholoroquine, Azithromycin, Vitamin C, D and Zinc?
Are they proven? Not a lot of evidence to go by at the moment. However, only you and your doctor can decide whether it's worthwhile. While we are waiting for more effective definitive treatments and vaccine, this might be the best possible out-patient protocol? Even though there might be possible novel treatments in the near future, its' also likely that the treatment is recommended only for high risk patients as the long term safety has yet to be established.
What about the side effects and the risk of treatment? That's the down side. In my opinion, the risk can be reduced if you follow the normal recommended dosage instead of the high-dosage regime. Regular monitoring by your doctor is recommended as well.
What about the lack of evidence on Vitamin C, D and Zinc supplements on COVID-19? If you are deficient or low in these nutrients, it's likely to help whether you have the disease or not.
Reference: healthline.com/health-news/what-are-the-best-ways-to-recover-from-covid-19
More information:
Reference: healthline.com/health-news/what-are-the-best-ways-to-recover-from-covid-19
More information:
Below is a medical video that provides more information on the hydroxychloroquine, azithromycine, Vitamin C, D and Zinc protocol. You can skip this video if you think it's too technical for you but if you would like more details, please feel fee to watch...
- This article is not intended to replace any guidance from your healthcare practitioner. Please visit your medical doctor for consultation.
- The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.
- Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov
Get the latest research from NIH: https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus.
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