An update from my previous posts for you. Be sure to check the previous information too if you haven’t seen it.
I hope all of you are staying well and paying attention to what I call your Whole Health - emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, financial, environmental. Everyone is affected in one or many of those health dimensions and we need each other’s support to cope and adapt.
Some updates:
Social distancing
My recommendation for everyone at this time is what San Francisco is calling “shelter in place.” While this may sound alarming, it really is no different than what has been communicated before for many. It’s just more important now. If it is not essential, don’t leave home for it.
Essential things include: to seek non-elective healthcare, to seek and deliver a reasonable food supply for your family or someone who is isolated due to illness, suspected illness or higher than average risk, to exercise outside at a six foot distance from anyone not within your family (backyard play, walks, nature trails, biking, etc..), to go to work if you are an essential employee.
All nonessential employees should be working from home. If you are considered an essential employee, you should be provided the maximum opportunity to physically distance yourself from others, have access to handwashing/hand sanitizer, have your temperature taken daily and have the opportunity to self quarantine if you have symptoms. Advocate for yourself and your fellow employees referencing this communication and the Ohio Department of Health communications.
Pods - Consider the concept of living life within a small “pod” or tribe as Dr. Acton references. Everyone has a small pod of people that they have accepted the risk of being around. Keep in mind that you have the risk of exposure to them AND everyone who they are around. If one person in the pod becomes ill, everyone should conduct themselves as though they are ill. SO very important to keep that pod small and, have commitment of pod members to physical distancing when they are not around you and be doing what you can to minimize risk even within the pod. My pod = kiddos, daddy, babysitter, nurse friend that we are sharing childcare with and her child, nurse and patients who I can't treat via telemedicine. My pod is bigger than I would like it to be. Do better than me!
If you have any symptoms:
If you have any symptoms of illness You should not be around anyone other than people who live in your house and you should be cautious about minimizing contact with those people (handwashing, covering mouth and nose, not sharing food, utensils, physical separation as able, etc.). You should check your own temperature every day to monitor for symptoms.
If you have mild symptoms, be aggressive with self care: increase fluids, rest, have Tylenol (Acetaminophen) available to manage fevers if uncomfortable (1000mg three times a day). Recent study suggests that ibuprofen/antiinflammatories might not be ideal for this particular virus, so stick with acetaminophen if possible. Take guaifenesin/mucinex over the counter, consider integrative techniques like taking intentional big deep breaths hourly to expand lung passages, increasing/supplementing Vit C, Vit D, Zinc. Some study suggests that Echinacea and Elderberry might not be ideal for treatment of this active viral illness, so you may want to avoid these at least if you have significant symptoms. Hot steam shower/humidifier with Eucalyptus/Vicks, honey/teal/lemon/cough drops.
Call for high fever, deep/productive cough, or shortness of breath. I can do video visits for mild symptoms, but if the symptoms are significant you should be seen here or in urgent care. If you have severe symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain or confusion, go to the ER.
Testing: Corona virus testing is still limited to those with severe symptoms or in some cases healthcare workers. Testing is recommended only to be done in designated testing facilities and hospitals. The reality is you should not expect to be tested and you should not need to be tested because if you develop any symptoms, you are expected to isolate yourself right away.
Could I have already had this? The earliest potential infection in Ohio could have been as early as January. It is possible that you could have already had this and recovered, BUT it is absolutely impossible for you to know if you have or not. You should have no reassurance that you have developed any immunity to this from speculation. The symptoms of this virus and other cold viruses, flu viruses and other infections overlap too much to assume this. Furthermore, more than one strain of this has been identified and the possibility of reinfection has been confirmed.
Our office - Nothing has changed about our procedures. Everyone will have a phone consultation to determine the best way to treat you. At every possible opportunity, you will be treated by phone or video chat. Instances where you need to be seen in person, you will be served at a time and in a manner that decreases exposure of contagious from noncontagious persons.
Stay well!
Dr. Paige
