Corona virus update 3/6/2020

Corona Virus Update 4/6/2020

We have had 10 patients test positive in the last 2 weeks. All are doing well and several had very brief and mild symptoms. One was admitted to the hospital for 2 days for oxygen nasally, not a ventilator. We are rotating office staff and doctors, checking our temperatures in the AM and noon, and becoming used to the “Eau de Bleach” aura in the office! Thank you to all of you who have sent food, best wishes and concern (and toilet paper!). We are fine.

Our tent kept blowing over so we are still doing testing in an isolation room inside.

Covid symptoms may include some or several, but usually not all, of the following: fever (check twice a day, at least 5 hrs after taking Tylenol, Advil, Aleve), headache, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste and/or smell (usually abrupt and very noticeable), loss of appetite, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath (usually only with exertion at first), dry cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme fatigue, muscle aches. Of course, on any given day, we all have one or some of these, so don’t be concerned unless you have a distinct change.

Fatigue seems to be a very prominent part of everyone’s response to this stress. Chest tightness has been common also, and people worry if it from a heart problem or corona virus. It is also often from anxiety. Chest tightness from the corona virus will usually be associated with a cough and shortness of breath on exertion. Chest tightness from heart problems will usually be on the left or middle chest, sometimes the neck or left arm, will get worse with physical exertion and usually resolve quickly with sitting or lying down. Chest tightness at rest or when lying down, especially in bed, is often from anxiety.

If anxiety is becoming bothersome, and doesn’t respond to reassurance, avoiding caffeine, and exercising or meditation, call us about having a televisit, to decide if having a televisit with our counselor, Caroline Lenel, or possibly medicine, would help.