Doctor: Stop downplaying covid19 symptoms

COUNTY Medical Officer of Health for Caroni Dr Jeanine St Bernard said some covid19 patients who are sequestered at home continue to downplay their symptoms to avoid being hospitalised.

She said this was a dangerous practice and pleaded with patients not to do this.

Speaking at Monday’s media conference, St Bernard outlined the signs and symptoms which could accompany a rapid decline.

These included shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, increasing fatigue, chills, chest pain or discomfort and fever.

She said physicians were calling patients twice a day to monitor their symptoms and appealed to patients to be truthful.

“You are not an inconvenience. If you feel yourself declining, call your monitoring physician or the emergency service.

"People have asked how long they will be in hospital, and I want to say that once you go in, you will be treated and released. Some people have gone to hospital and come back out.

"Sudden deterioration can still happen despite our best efforts and time is of the essence. Make sure you’re not alone so someone can call for assistance. Please ensure a proper address is on file so the ambulance isn’t driving up and down looking for the address.”

She explained the phenomenon of "happy hypoxia," in which people could feel normal but have low levels of oxygen in their blood.

“You have low levels of oxygen without shortness of breath, where normally you would be distressed and gasping for air as the oxygen level is not adequate. Some people are comfortable even though their oxygen level is below 80 per cent, where it should be around 94 per cent.

"This is what the pulse oximeters would be used for. Also, an increased heart rate and other markers are used to determine whether oxygen therapy is needed. Taking your oxygen mask off when prescribed because you feel good is a dangerous practice, and should not enter your thoughts.”

St Bernard said patients at home should continue to observe precautions to stop the spread of the virus, including wearing masks with proper mask hygiene, being in separate areas, observing proper hygiene and sanitising surfaces.

“Not because you’re home means that you could wander around the house and mingle with family members. Ensure spaces are well ventilated and don’t run the a/c. Limit the number of caretakers – and ideally they should be someone who’s in good health with no pre-existing conditions.

"Visitors should not be allowed in the home until patients have been released from isolation.”

St Bernard said patients who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic should not think because they feel well, they should be cleaning or taking on household projects. She said they should rest and remain hydrated.