Why days 5 to 10 are so important when you have coronavirus COVID19 | via nytimes
When a relative of mine recently became seriously ill with what seemed to be a coronavirus infection, my first question was about timing. How many days ago did your symptoms start?
While every patient is different, doctors say that days 5 through 10 of the illness are often the most worrisome time for respiratory complications of COVID-19, particularly for older patients and those with underlying conditions like high blood pressure, obesity or diabetes. Younger patients who develop complications may begin struggling a little later, as late as days 10 to 12. Most people who reach day 14 without any worrying symptoms are likely to be on the road to recovery.
On scans, patients with COVID pneumonia have a finding called “ground-glass opacities,” a hazy appearance in the lower part of both lungs. Oxygen levels may drop so slowly that the patient doesn’t even notice, a condition called silent hypoxia. Often it is not until oxygen saturation reaches dangerously low levels, causing severe shortness of breath, that they finally seek care.
It’s not clear why relatively young, healthy patients like Chang, who is 38, sometimes take a turn for the worse. “From a public health perspective, we’ve been wrong to tell people to come back only if they have severe shortness of breath,” said Dr. Richard Levitan, a well-known emergency room doctor from New Hampshire who has called for widespread use of home pulse oximeters during the first two weeks of COVID-19 illness. “Toughing it out is not a great strategy.”
Some medical practices are sending their patients home kits that include pulse oximeters, so check with your doctor about how you might be monitored. Ask friends now if they have a pulse oximeter so you have a plan in place to borrow one for two weeks should you get sick . Here’s a look at the timeline of COVID symptoms. While this can serve as a general guide, symptoms can appear at any time. Always listen to your body and consult with a doctor for guidance about your specific case.Early symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely. It can start with a tickle in your throat, a cough, fever, headache and feeling winded or just a little pressure in your chest. Sometimes it begins with a bout of diarrhea. Some people just feel tired and lose their sense of taste and smell.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Manila tallies 10 new COVID-19 cases; total now at 669
Read more »
Pfizer aims for 10-20 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by end-2020
Read more »
#Throwback: 10 Surprising celebrity revelations sa Tunay na BuhayMarami nang celebrities na nagpakatotoo sa segment na 'Prangkahan with Pia' sa programang 'Tunay na Buhay'. Kilalanin ang ilan sa kanila na may naging surprising revelations.
Read more »
De Lima: Why defend China’s free speech, but frown at Taiwan OFW’s views?“Ginagalang diumano ng Malacañang ang karapatang magpahayag ng mga kumanta ng ‘Iisang Dagat’ pero hindi maigalang ang kaparehong karapatan ng kapwa natin Filipino,” De Lima said. | GabrielLaluINQ
Read more »
'The Unconfined Cinema': Why Jadaone used Instagram in her Bea-John Lloyd experimental filmFilm director Antoinette Jadaone revealed that Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz‘s “kilig-inducing” exchange on Instagram was her way of exploring new ways to tell stories amid the enhanced community quarantine. The director, known for her films on romance, said that the actors’ exchange is part of the initiative called “The Unconfined Cinema” where stories …
Read more »
Who's Sir K? Here's why this Bar passer is trending online.After the Supreme Court released the names of 2019 Bar passers on Wednesday, the keyword “Sir K” immediately trended on local Twitter. Who’s Sir K? Online users are using this keyword to congratulate the top 6 Bar passer, Kenneth Glenn Manuel whom they fondly call “Sir K.” Manuel, a Certified Public Accountant and an alumnus …
Read more »