What are the symptoms of COVID-19 new strain? When to test? How much Oxygen levels you need?
So right now, we are going to cover some important points about COVID-19 infection new strain which some of you must have known already. But then there are the things that matter the most and might save a life or two. So what are the typical symptoms in this new strain of COVID? Last year we mostly saw fever with sore throat, cough, breathlessness, occasional diarrhea. But this year most of the people are having nothing but weakness, loss of taste/smell and most of them also have high fever early in the course with severe headache, body ache, and a proper cold.
When do you need to do a test? If you have any symptoms mentioned above, test immediately. A Rapid antigen or RT PCR test is essential. An HRCT chest has nearly no value in the first 4-5 days. If you are asymptomatic but exposed, just wait and watch. However, isolate yourself in either case. Never expose yourself. In case of mild symptoms, visit a local fever clinic or tel consult a good physician. Never start over-the-counter medications or follow someone else's prescription. Never panic. Always have a thermometer and a good pulse oximeter and monitor your vitals.
Hydrate very well. Keep on checking your oxygen levels at least two to three times a day. Frequent checking is not essential unless you feel breathless. Check it on a steady warm finger. Let the reading stabilize. If it's anything above 95%, it is OK. Do a 6 minutes walk test once daily. Check your SPO2 at rest. Walk-in your isolation area itself at a normal pace for 6 minutes and recheck the SPO2. A drop of >3% over baseline, breathlessness, dizziness, or chest discomfort needs medical attention. In case your doctor asks you to monitor your blood parameters like CBC, CRP, D dimer, liver function, and ferritin, monitor those at the frequency prescribed.
Do not self-interpret or google and always stick to the doctor's advice. An HRCT chest is not mandatory for all cases. For very mild disease, never insist on getting one. If your doctor asks for it, do it after 5 days of symptoms. Again, admission and medication depends on various factors and not purely on CT scan report. In case of lung involvement, ensure that you strengthen your lungs. Be physically active but do not exert and put an additional burden on the lungs and heart. Breathing exercises, pranayam, incentive spirometry, inflating balloons can be done.
Learn to sleep in the prone position. That HELPS. In case of dropping oxygen levels, worsening blood parameters, moderate-severe lung involvement, comorbidities, do not delay admission. This can be dangerous. Don't try home remedies at this stage. Hospitalization on time and judicious treatment can prevent critical infection. After recovering, be regular with follow-ups. Check your antibodies 4 weeks after the positive report. Consider donating plasma if eligible. Do a pulmonary function test 6 weeks from the positive report. Take blood thinners as prescribed by a physician. Enroll in a good pulmonary rehab. We all will heal from this carnage soon.