IT’S TIME FOR ACTION!
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT AS IT IS
OF IMPORTANCE TO ALL PATIENTS
We will be emailing you weekly during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC to provide you with the latest information and instructions to deal with the current outbreak as it develops in Phoenix.
The goals for our city are to “
bend the curve
”, which means to prevent maximum levels of COVID-19 so that our healthcare system can care for those who need more intensive treatment. Please see below for how to achieve best results for yourself and our community.
Each of us is responsible for doing our part, our duty. I like to recall what Mr. Roger's mother said to inspire him:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news,” Rogers said to his television neighbors, my mother would say to me,
‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ “
Let us do our best to be the helpers she spoke of, in ways …. large and small.
Yours in good health,
Dr. Lakin
CORONA-VIRUS (COVID-19) SUMMARY:
REDUCE RISK BY REDUCING CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS
REDUCE CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS BY:
1.
Washing hands frequently….20 seconds is advised, but any
hand washing is helpful.
2.
Use hand cleanser in between washings
3.
Clean your cell phone daily with UV light or with a cleansing wipe.
4.
Shower or bathe daily. Twice daily if you want to feel more relaxed.
5.
Don’t Pick Nose, Rub Eyes, or Pick Teeth with your fingers
6.
Do not go out or to work if you are ill.
7.
Stay away from people who are sick with possible COVID
8.
Avoid large crowds in close, indoor quarters
9.
Domestic plane travel is a consideration if you are healthy and under 60
years old if your trip is important. If you have risk factors, or your travel is
not of importance, I recommend holding travel plans via plane. Travel by
car instead.
Risk factors include:
·
Over 60
·
Imperfectly controlled Diabetes
·
COPD/Asthma/Emphysema
·
Heart Failure
TESTING: COVID-19 TESTING IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN OUR OFFICE
It is being done at the end of the day, in your car, by myself…. wearing protective gear.
We began testing the end of last week but have not received results yet.
Testing is still limited at this time to those people who have:
·
Fever (100.4 or above) and cough
·
Fever and sore throat
IF YOU ARE ILL AND CONCERNED YOU MAY HAVE COVID INFECTION:
Contact the office via phone or email first for instructions:
480-614-5800
Please do not walk into our office if you think
you have COVID-19 infection
.
We will not see you in the office. Only in your car, and with that, you should contact the office to be seen at the end of the day.
If you think you have COVID-19 and are truly short of breath, you need to go to the Emergency Room,
not to our office
.
We are not equipped to handle low oxygen levels.
Additional information on symptoms:
They consist of the same set of symptoms as the common cold/viral respiratory syndrome, but they are worse.
Hallmark symptoms:
·
High fever (often over 101 degrees, but can range from 99’s to 104+)
·
Sore throat
·
Severe cough
·
Chest pains
Common symptoms include milder issues:
·
Aching muscles throughout the body
·
Pain in the muscles around the eyes with movement of the eyes
·
Headache
·
Occasional diarrhea (rare)…if present…condition is less likely
·
Nasal congestion (rare)…. if present…condition is less likely
What to Do at Home
Symptomatic treatment for the most bothersome symptoms
Aches and Pains and Fever:
·
Use anti-inflammatory medication. Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2–3
tablets….2–3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1–2 tablets...1–2 x
per day, or Tylenol 650–1000mg four times per day.
·
Drink good amounts of clear liquids (anything you can see through)
Sore Throat:
·
Saltwater gargling
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
Gargle for 15 seconds and spit.
Repeat during the day every 2–4 hours to relieve pain.
Pain relief medications: Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2–3 tablets..2–3
x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1–2 tablets...1–2 x per day,
or Tylenol 650–1000mg four times per day.
Cough:
·
Steam: Either in the form of a hot, steamy shower or using a hot pot of
water and covering with a towel and put your head under the towel. Both
methods will provide humid air to the irritated air passages and soothe the
cough.
·
Cough Syrup: Robitussin DM or Delsym cough syrup can be used to
suppress cough.
·
You may require a prescription cough syrup with Codeine. Contact me if
that is the case.
Sinus Congestion and Drainage (RARE SYMPTOM):
·
Use a decongestant such as Sudafed 30mg, 1–2 pills up to four times per
day, or use a drying antihistamine such as Chlortrimeton 4mg, up to four
times per day. Other cold medications (over the counter) can be used.
·
Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra will not work for congestion symptoms from an
infection. Do Not Use.
When to Seek Medical Assistance
There is no medication to treat this virus, so the resolution takes time.
·
Self Quarantine for 14 days if you are known to have COVID-19 or if you
have had COVID-19 testing and are awaiting results.
Testing is being done right now for more severe cases including:
Temp over 100.4 degrees and cough
Temp over 100.4 degrees and sore throat
Temp over 100.4 degrees and aching muscles/chest pains
For milder symptoms WE ARE NOT TESTING AT THIS TIME
(we will be in the future…just not quite yet). At some point there will be ‘drive by’ testing facilities, but until then we will do our best to test those who require and when materials are available.
Worsening symptoms/Signs of Complications:
·
If you are getting significantly short of breath, please be in touch. If
progressive and worsening, you need to be seen and possibly
hospitalized. Best to go the ER if shortness of breath is a significant
symptom.
How Long to Recover
·
The COVID-19 is a viral infection that will generally take from 3–7 days to
improve and then from 7–14 days to completely resolve.
·
Self Quarantine for 14 days is currently advised
AGAIN, IF YOUR ARE ILL AND CONCERNED
YOU MAY HAVE COVID-19 INFECTION:
Contact the office via phone or email
480-614-5800
We will contact you and review a plan of action for you.
Since most people will have mild symptoms (80+% will do well with cold symptoms only), very little will be done other than routine measures to
treat a cold.
If you need to be seen we will consider a video-visit (Telemedicine), vs. seeing you in the afternoon in your car, after the office has been closed for the
day for general patients.
