Don't Cave to Corona.

AuthorOrient, Jane M.
PositionHEALTH BEAT - Tips for preventing and treating COVID-19 symptoms - Column

SOME OF THE VIEWS expressed here are controversial. So, do ask your doctor. I hope you have one--not just some HMO or retail clinic "provider."

Do not panic. That always is good advice. If you, like the world's economy, operate on just-in-time inventories, and did not take advice to stock up three weeks ago, do not join a mob at a big-box store. Somebody there no doubt is infected. Plus, there is the risk of getting trampled or injured in a fistfight over the last roll of toilet paper. Most of the world survives without that luxury good. If you have no rice, beans, or pasta in the pantry, that is more serious, but you still should avoid crowds if at all possible. Take-out and drive-through places are booming.

Do not treat fever without a doctor's advice. Fever is not a disease. It is an important defense mechanism. Very high fevers (say 105[degrees]) can cause brain damage, and children can have seizures--but do not pop Tylenol or ibuprofen at the first sign of fever. Many of the casualties in the 1918 pandemic might have been caused by heavy use of aspirin. Like aspirin, popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen also have detrimental effects on blood clotting. Try lukewarm sponge baths for comfort.

Do not rush out and get a flu shot. I know, a lot of doctors and public health authorities urge everybody to do this. Influenza can kill you, and the flu shot decreases that risk by 30% to 60%--but there is evidence that it can make COVID-19 worse, both from the earlier SARS epidemic and lab research. Like with so many things in medicine, we have to play the odds.

Do not go to the emergency room or urgent care unless you are severely ill. There will be sick people there, and you might catch something. You also might end up with a big bill, say for a CT scan you really did not need. Moreover, if you have the flu, a cold, or COVID-19, and do not need IV fluids or oxygen, they cannot do anything for you. Telephone advice lines could help greatly.

Do not go to events that are crowded, especially indoors in poorly ventilated rooms. Staying home is good.

Do not demand to be tested and rely on the results. The tests remain in short supply and are not very accurate. If you are at low risk, a positive test is likely to be a false positive, and if you are infected, the test may be negative at first. We need much more testing--mainly for public health monitoring.

Do not waste. Expired medications probably still are good. Most drugs or...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT