How do we know the covid wave has started? Most doctors get enquiries from colleagues and patients about the diagnosis of covid. High positivity rates recorded. Hospitals admissions lag behind. This time it has taken longer. What should you do if you are diagnosed or exposed?

If exposed to a covid positive person, self isolate for 1 week. No need to test if you’re okay. Testing puts pressure on the system, and false negative tests give false assurance. No point in self isolating if vaccinated and not symptomatic. Test if you have symptoms.

If you test positive, mark the onset of symptoms; fever, muscle aches, headache and sore throat occur in the first 6 days. Avoid nsaids like aspirin, myprodol. Take paracetamol or stilpane, vitamins( D 50000 stat, Vit C zinc, niacin) some people advocate ivermectin (I don’t).

Identify the onset of inflammation or early pneumonia. Persistent cough often precedes shortness of breath. Some patients don’t feel the shortness of breath until the oxygen levels are very low. This is where complications start. Home monitoring; oxygen levels and get advice.

Oxygen levels less than 90% or persistent cough or shortness of breath means start Steroids. This is the most important intervention. High risks obese (body mass index > 30), age >40, diabetes, cardiac and hypertension. Consider doing bloods tests and perhaps X-rays. Get help.

This usually happens after day 7 from the onset of symptoms, not the day of diagnosis. Very few will progress. Most people have a mild disease.