Understanding COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic, known to most as the Coronavirus, has been a trying time for our patient family. With conflicting information appearing on the internet, news, and even from our president and CDC, it can be difficult to sift out the fact from the fiction. The shelter-in-place order that came into effect this past week has added a new set of challenges, separating us from friends and family and disrupting our normal day-to-day life. In the midst of all this, it can be helpful to understand the disease and how to identify if you might be at risk or experiencing symptoms. To that end, we put together a short guide to help ease the minds of our patient family and see them through this unsettling time.
COVID-19: What Is It?
Many of you will remember the MERS and SARS outbreaks that happened over the past decade. In both these cases, the disease was quickly able to be contained and treated, preventing a pandemic from taking place. Both of these diseases were part of the Coronavirus family, and so is Covid-19. What sets COVID-19 apart is that there is no cure for it at present, and the treatments available for it are more supportive than curative in nature. The belief that it was “merely the flu” led to the warnings and guidelines set in place early in the pandemic not being taken seriously, aiding its spread.
What Is A Pandemic?
The phrase “pandemic” is a term that can be scary. A pandemic is a term used to describe a disease that is international or even global in nature. What it does not indicate is the severity of the illness or its lethality; Instead, it describes its range and, to some degree, the number of cases identified. While a pandemic isn’t necessarily dangerous, the COVID-19 pandemic must be taken seriously given its infectiousness, lack of a cure, and risk to those with compromised immune systems.
What Are The Symptoms of COVID-19?
Without a clear understanding of the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, every cough, sneeze, or body ache can be worrisome. The most common signs of infection by COVID-19 include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Shortness of Breath
- Diarrhea
Take comforting knowing that the majority of healthy children who have experienced a COVID-19 infection have only had mild symptoms and did not require hospital care to recover. If any of these symptoms are present, call our offices, and we’ll help determine the best next steps. We’re always happy to help set worried patient’s minds at ease, especially during times like these.
If you have more questions about the COVID-19 virus and how to protect your family from it, you can start by calling our offices for information. A simple regimen of practicing social distancing, washing your hands and face regularly, and only going out when you need to are great first steps. Trang D Nguyen and the team at Conroe Family Doctor are here for you, your family, Montgomery county, and the Conroe, TX Community.
