COVID- 19: What You Need to Know About Its Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
It almost feels like the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world overnight. Within a matter of months, life has had to change in epic proportions for most people globally. Most of these changes have negatively impacted our social and economic standings, and we are still reeling from the effects.
Even though this pandemic shook the world, we are stronger. Our government and frontline workers have been working day and night, to help the masses of people who flock any emergency room near you looking for COVID-19 treatment options.
The government has issued guidelines on how we can slow down the spread of this pandemic and drastically reduce the number of patients we see in our emergency room in Harker heights, fighting for their lives due to COVID-19.
The best way you can help in this fight is to take personal responsibility for you and your loved ones’ wellbeing. You need to immerse all the information you can get your hands on about this pandemic, and how you can protect you and your family from this invisible enemy.
We all need to change our way of life to stand a fighting chance against COVID-19. The first step begins with understanding what this disease is, how it spreads, and how we can protect ourselves.
What Is COVID- 19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a strain of SARS known as SARS- CoV-2, also known commonly as the coronavirus. COVID-19 is an abbreviation for the coronavirus disease 2019. This virus began hitting news headlines early this year when it started spreading globally at an alarming pace.
SARS- CoV-2 is among the seven known strains of the coronavirus and mainly manifests itself in a respiratory tract infection. This virus spreads mostly through contact with infected persons or surfaces and can cause a vast range of symptoms ranging from mild, severe, and even life-threatening.
This disease manifests differently in patients. For instance, some infected patients will visit a clinic near you complaining only of mild symptoms and may recover and bounce back after self-quarantining at home.
However, some patients have to be rushed to an emergency room near you because they require medical intervention.
What Are the COVID-19 Symptoms?
The main symptoms patients exhibit when they come into our urgent care in Harker heights include:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulties breathing
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Body aches
- Chills
- Headache
- Nausea and in some cases diarrhea
On their own, these symptoms are manageable, and most patients make the mistake of not seeking treatment promptly because they undermine the symptoms.
However, the virus can result in complications such as pneumonia, septic shock, respiratory failure, and cytokine release syndrome, all of which can lead to death.
Other than the main symptoms, a patient may also experience the following severe indications of COVID-19. These symptoms may need to be addressed in an urgent care facility near you.
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Chest pain or pressure
- Strokes
- Blue lips or skin
- Difficulties breathing
- Difficulty staying conscious
Contact our emergency room in Harker heights if you experience any of these symptoms for medical assistance, especially if you have been exposed to COVID- 19.
What Treatment Options Are Currently Available?
It is essential to understand that there is currently no specified treatment option for COVID-19 because most of the treatments are still pending approval. Treatment will mainly involve managing whatever symptoms a patient exhibits as they fight through the course of the infection.
They are therapies available that are being used on COVID- 19 patients, helping them manage severe complications, and these include:
- Mechanical ventilation to offer assisted breathing
- Blood plasma transfusions
- Administering retroviral medications
- Administering steroids to reduce lung inflammation
Prevention Measures for COVID-19
Here are some guidelines that you can follow to curb the spread of COVID-19:
- Practice social distancing and limit your contact with people as much as possible. Also, avoid large gatherings
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for about 20 seconds
- Stay home especially if you feel unwell
- Whenever you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with some tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Discard the used tissue immediately and sanitize your hands after
- Always disinfect objects you regularly use such as phones, light switches, counters, and doorknobs
- Wear a mask whenever you are in public spaces such as grocery stores
- Avoid touching your nose, face, eyes or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid sharing personal items and utensils with others especially if you are ill
Contact us today at Express ER (Harker heights), for medical assistance and guidance if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms.