Group 3 Patients – Moderately Symptomatic

Transcript

Group three patients: moderately symptomatic. Increase in case numbers, both globally and in the United States, have given us access to data that helps us better understand the COVID-19 virus. It’s helped us better group patients based on symptoms, treatment, and outcome. The first two patient groups are patients with very mild or no noticeable symptoms at all. These two groups require little or no treatment other than over the counter symptom relievers and rest. Patients in these two groups will almost undoubtedly have uneventful or full recoveries, but because they’re not likely to meet criteria for testing, these patients are at great risk for transmitting COVID-19 to other people, which is why the bulk of their attention should focus on transmission reduction through self isolation for at least 14 days, social distancing, hand-washing, avoiding touching the face and keeping inanimate surfaces clean. Group three patients, however, are patients whose symptoms make them take notice.

Typically their cough is more than a nuisance cough. Their fever may or may not be higher, but it is typically more persistent, meaning that it returns after fever reducing medicine, such as Tylenol or Motrin have worn off. These patients who, even without seeing a doctor, would likely choose themselves to miss work or school or other activities. In addition to the symptoms of common cold or flu, these patients may also experience unusual fatigue. They may want to sleep throughout the day, which is not unusual or concerning, but it just speaks to the symptoms being a little more moderate and more noticeable. This group of patients knows that they’re sick, but under current guidelines, they still might not have access to COVID-19 testing. Although patients in this group feel sick, they should first contact their primary care doctor for guidance. In fact, with the ramping up of virtual care services, these are patients that might benefit from virtual contact with a provider using telemedicine technology.

I would advise you to check within your local geography to see if these services are available. Unless patients in this group are experiencing worsening or worrisome symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or an altered level of consciousness, in person visits to the primary care doctor, the urgent care or emergency room should still be avoided because you are still unlikely to be tested. The treatment recommendations are not likely to change, and you are at great risk of transmitting COVID-19 to others who might be in a high risk group. If you are in a high-risk group, you are over the age of 60, you have complicated preexisting medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes, or you have a compromised immune system and you are experiencing moderate symptoms, you should contact your primary care doctor for guidance or access an appropriate telehealth platform for further guidance. In general, rest, hydration, and over the counter symptom relievers are all that will be needed, as well as the potential need to modify certain chronic medications such as diabetic or asthma medicines.

You should monitor your symptoms closely and practice appropriate social distancing and self isolation for at least 14 days. If your symptoms worsen, seek medical care promptly in an emergency department, remembering if at all possible to alert the 911 operator, the paramedics or the emergency department, of your symptoms and your anticipated arrival. The good news is is that even if you have moderate symptoms, and even if you are in a high risk group, you may still require nothing more than rest and self isolation, but because your symptoms have made you take notice, especially if you’re in a high risk group, you should be just a bit more vigilant in your monitoring so that you can optimize your recovery and intervene quickly should your symptoms suddenly change.