(Snippets from the frontline)
COVID-19: Stay home, now what?
We are in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic and should listen to Public Health and CDC updates with the hope of stemming the tide. Government direction is fluid and changes daily.
As an older adult, I have been told to remain at home, isolate, and minimize contact. What should I monitor?
Symptoms:
-fever;
-cough;
-shortness of breath.
Other important symptoms might be:
-chills and shakes;
-nausea and/or vomiting with poor oral intake;
-dizziness or lightheadedness;
-weakness or tiredness;
-change in mental status like confusion or lethargy.
If you develop some of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Data helpful to your physician might include:
-temperature (using a thermometer);
-oxygen saturation level (using an O2 meter – sold at pharmacies or online)
-blood pressure and pulse (both measured on the monitor);
-respirations (the number of breaths you take in a minute).
Write these in a diary so you and your doctor can determine any trends.
Remaining calm and maintaining vigilance will be important as we attempt to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
While you are at home though, listen to your body.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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