“As health care professionals, they also need to leverage their medical authority to combat misinformation and direct misguided patients towards recommended health measures.” “Health care workers play a crucial role in keeping the public accurately informed and referring them to the correct level of care,” said Kenny Kadar, president of Coast Medical Service, a health care staffing agency focused on per diem and travel nursing. If pharmacy staff come across an individual seeking anything other than general health care advice, remember to redirect to their primary care provider. It is the duty of health care workers everywhere to provide accurate and helpful information to patients during times of uncertainty or panic. Patients reporting a loss of taste or smell along with respiratory problems are displaying non-flu-like symptoms and should be tested for COVID-19 immediately. Fever or chills (although most people with colds do not develop a fever)ĭespite the many similar symptoms, the most important takeaway is that patients reporting sneezing, post-nasal drip, and watery eyes most likely do not have COVID-19.Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.Typical symptoms for COVID-19, the common cold, and influenza include: 4 Some studies show that the antibodies preventing reinfection have stayed in some patients for as long as 5 months. Patients with underlying health conditions should speak to their physician if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, as their need for additional testing or extended isolation may be necessary.Īfter exposure, most patients who tested positive are at a low risk of contracting COVID-19 for at least 3 months. The CDC also states that most patients who develop symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 may end their isolation after 10 days if there’s been an improvement in symptoms. If a patient who has not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 3 months discovers they’ve been exposed to the virus, 2 weeks of isolation are required to avoid risking the health and safety of others. persistent pain or pressure in the chest.The CDC emphasizes that emergency care is necessary if the patient develops: Patients with mild symptoms should also remain in close contact with medical staff who can monitor their condition via phone or video chat. If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine or isolate themselves within their home. Patients can decrease their risk of contracting COVID-19 by standing 6 feet or more apart from others in public, avoiding public places, practicing good hygiene such as handwashing, and always wearing a mask when around people they are not currently quarantining with. More than 50 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed and reported to the World Health Organization, with more than 1.25 million deaths across the globe. 1Īlso according to the CDC, severe illness and complications caused by COVID-19 tend to manifest in patients who are older, pregnant, or have a pre-existing medical condition, such as type 1 diabetes. A study by Cleveland Clinic’s Respiratory Institute has found that the viral load can determine what stage of recovery a patient is in-patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 tend to show higher viral loads before symptoms appear. Patients who think they are currently fighting the infection require a viral test. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the best way for patients to determine whether or not they have previously been infected is with an antibody test. Learn how you and your staff can help patients differentiate between common cough/cold symptoms and COVID-19 while also offering additional educational resources.ĬOVID-19 results in mild-to-severe respiratory illness for some, whereas others are completely asymptomatic. Having basic yet essential information regarding COVID-19 during cold and flu season is more important than ever for pharmacists and other health care workers. As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, medical workers everywhere are being sought by people looking for advice. Health care workers are the first people most turn to in times of sickness.
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