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Lessons from my family's ordeal with COVID-19
1. If you can afford it, test early, ideally day 2 of fever. Every fever is COVID unless proven otherwise.
2. Isolate vulnerable family members (old, comorbid) immediately, while awaiting for test report. If negative, reverse.
(1/n)
1. If you can afford it, test early, ideally day 2 of fever. Every fever is COVID unless proven otherwise.
2. Isolate vulnerable family members (old, comorbid) immediately, while awaiting for test report. If negative, reverse.
(1/n)
3. Hydroxychloroquine is not a guarantee against infection. My mother, on HCQ for last 3 years got infected. It was a mild infection, though.
4. False negatives are super common, especially if you get tested after day 6-7 of fever. My brother had two false negative reports
(2/n)
4. False negatives are super common, especially if you get tested after day 6-7 of fever. My brother had two false negative reports
(2/n)
5. Basic disease trajectory: Fever first, then cough, then breathlessness. Peak days are day 8-12 when patient will develop respiratory failure. Patients who cross day 12 without organ failure/ventilation will generally recover.
(3/n)
(3/n)
6. Monitor fever and saturation frequently. "Happy hypoxia" is very common. There is no breathlessness, tachypnea or CO2 washout even with saturation of 85%.
7. True number of COVID cases in Delhi is at least 10-20 times the official figure. Same applies to most cities.
(4/n)
7. True number of COVID cases in Delhi is at least 10-20 times the official figure. Same applies to most cities.
(4/n)
8. COVID hospitals are understaffed and patient care is tough. I literally stood next to my family members and made sure they got the right treatment.
9. Early prognostic markers: D-dimer, CRP, lymphocyte count, LDH
10. Treatment varies hugely from doctor to doctor.
(5/n)
9. Early prognostic markers: D-dimer, CRP, lymphocyte count, LDH
10. Treatment varies hugely from doctor to doctor.
(5/n)
11. Strongly consider prophylactic anticoagulation for admitted patients.
12. Role of steroids/therapeutic anticoagulation is still not 100% sure, but they are commonly used.
13. Arrange convalescent plasma donors early.
14. Convalescent plasma is no guarantee for recovery
(6/n)
12. Role of steroids/therapeutic anticoagulation is still not 100% sure, but they are commonly used.
13. Arrange convalescent plasma donors early.
14. Convalescent plasma is no guarantee for recovery
(6/n)
15. If your family member is admitted, you may need PPE. Buy it. Keep it ready.
16. It is better to decontaminate and reuse good quality real N95 masks than to use new fake N95 masks.
(7/n)
16. It is better to decontaminate and reuse good quality real N95 masks than to use new fake N95 masks.
(7/n)
17. After coming from hospital decontaminate clothes, personal items, glasses, phones etc. Take a bath. You may need to do this multiple times a day. All items to be exposed to hypochlorite, sanitizer or soap immediately. Create a "dirty" and "clean" area in your bathroom.
(8/n)
(8/n)
18. Prophylaxis: I use hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin and didn't get infected. No strong data for either of these. Use at your own risk.
DM/Email me if you have queries or need further info.
RT for awareness.
DM/Email me if you have queries or need further info.
RT for awareness.
Important addendum: Please don't take any drug yourself without proper prescription and supervision of a doctor. I have 3 doctors in my family who are monitoring me (and vice versa).
